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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Retrieve and check environmental data
  2. Calculate scientific quantities
  3. Present data
  4. Interpret data variations and trends
  5. Keep accurate records and maintain confidentiality

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering: environmental management such as AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental Management Basic Set; ISO 5725 Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results, and ISO/IEC Guide covering uncertainty in measurement

registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements

sampling/testing methods, procedures, guidelines provided by workplace or regulator

validation of equipment and associated software; validation of spreadsheets developed in-house for routine calculations where applicable

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), work schedules, quality manual, recording and reporting procedures, equipment manuals, supplier catalogues, handbooks; safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures; waste minimisation, containment, processing and safe disposal procedures.

Concepts of metrology include one or more of:

all measurements are estimates

repeated measurements belong to a sample of the measured parameter

repeatability, precision, accuracy and significant figures

sources of error and uncertainty

traceability.

Environmental data include one or more of:

records, such as:

worksheets and spreadsheets

databases linked to information management systems

results, such as:

observations

field tests and measurements

population surveys (type, species, age, sex and weight)

vegetation surveys (type, species, height, density and canopy)

dilution of working solutions and gases (odours)

laboratory analyses

quality assurance and control assessments

data presented in forms, such as:

graphs, tables, histograms, pie charts, bar charts

semi-quantitative observations and be expressed on a scale (e.g. 1 to 4 or + to ++++)

photographs.

Calculations include one or more of:

calculations performed with or without a calculator

calculations performed using computer software, spreadsheets, databases and statistical packages

Calculations of scientific quantities include one or more of:

converting units involving multiples and submultiples

significant figures, rounding off, estimating and approximating

transposing and evaluating formulae

fractions, decimals, proportions and percentages

percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results

statistical values of data, such as mean, median, mode and standard deviation

perimeters and angles, areas (m2) and volumes (mL, L, m3) of regular shapes

sampling times

dose (mg), average mass, mass percentage, density, specific gravity, moisture, relative and absolute humidity, viscosity and permeability

ratios, such as mass to mass, mass to volume and volume to volume percentages

concentration, such as molarity, g/100mL, mg/L, mg/L, ppm, ppb, dilution mL/L

average count, colonies per swab surface and cell counts, such as live and dead/total

variables, such as pressure, gauge pressure, velocity and flow rates

biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbons (TOC)

% content of moisture, sulphur dioxide and trace metals, such as calcium or zinc.

Records include one or more of:

purchase orders for equipment and materials

equipment service records

safety procedures

history of calibration and test results.

Work health and safety (WHS) and environmental management requirements include:

compliance with relevant federal/state/territory WHS legislation at all times

assuming that samples are potentially hazardous and applying standard precautions

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and state/territory Departments of Health, where relevant.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

retrieving, coding, recording and checking data

calculating scientific and statistical quantities with or without a calculator/computer software, including at least eight (8) of the following items:

converting units involving multiples and submultiples

scientific notation, significant figures, round off, estimate and approximate

transposing and evaluating formulae

fractions, decimals, proportions and percentages

percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results

statistical values of data, including mean, median, mode and standard deviation

perimeters, angles, areas (m2) and volumes (mL, L, m3) of regular shapes

dose (mg), average mass, mass percentage, density, specific gravity, moisture, relative and absolute humidity, viscosity and permeability

ratios, such as mass to mass, mass to volume and volume to volume percentages

concentration, such as molarity, g/100mL, mg/L, mg/L, ppm, ppb, dilution mL/L

average count, colonies per swab surface and cell counts, such as live and dead/total

variables, such as pressure, gauge pressure, velocity and flow rates

biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbons (TOC)

% content of moisture, sulphur dioxide and trace metals, such as calcium or zinc

presenting accurate results in the required format (e.g. significant figures, uncertainty, units)

preparing and presenting data in forms, such as:

tables, graphs, histograms, pie charts, bar charts

maps

recognising significant data points and anomalies

comparing data with reference values and interpreting variations and trends in data (e.g. seasonal, diurnal, location and non-conformance)

maintaining the confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

keeping accurate records that are up-to-date and secure

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

scientific and technical terminology relevant to job role

procedures for coding, entering, storing, retrieving and communicating data

international system of units (SI)

concepts of metrology, including:

all measurements are estimates

repeated measurements belong to a sample of the measured parameter

repeatability, precision, accuracy, significant figures

sources of error, uncertainty associated with measurement steps

traceability

procedures for verifying data and rectifying mistakes

procedures for maintaining and filing records, and maintaining security of data.