Required skills

Required skills include

planning and preparing for field activities

site observational and descriptive skills

researching and summarising existing data and reports

communicating effectively and writingcompiling concise and accurate reports

field sampling and monitoring procedures including pretreatment containers preservation storage labelling and traceability

demonstrating correct and safe use of field instruments andor equipment under laboratory and field conditions including field calibration

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

using appropriate techniques to preserve the integrity of samples

identifying atypical materials and samples and taking appropriate action

maintaining sampling equipment

completing sampling records

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

working safely for the protection of self and others

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

appropriate scientific terminology for water chemistry biology and microbiology

the hydrologic cycle

fundamentals of aquatic chemistry including

physical and chemical properties of water

chemical equilibria in natural polluted and process waters

biogeochemical processes in freshwater and marine systems

water analytical environmental chemistry

environmental contaminants in water fate transport and bioaccumulation

fundamentals of hydrobiology including

aquatic and benthic flora and fauna

aquatic microorganisms

marine estuarine and freshwater ecosystems

stratification and eutrophication in water bodies

aquatic microbiology

principles of representative sampling

principles and procedures for random systematic and stratified sampling including consistency of sampling procedures

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

costeffectiveness of sampling

common characteristics of water to be sampled and likely contaminants

links between quality control quality assurance quality management systems and sampling procedures

enterprise procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling labelling and transport of hazardous goods

links between correct occupational health and safety OHS procedures and personal and environmental safety particularly at high risk sites

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

planning and preparing for sample collection

interpreting and correctly applying sampling testing and data quality procedures

demonstrating correct and safe use of field instruments andor equipment including field calibration

obtaining reliable representative water samples

obtaining valid and reliable field test data

preparing calibration graphs and calculating results using appropriate units and precision

identifying atypical results as outofnormal range or an artefact

completing sampling records using enterprise procedures

working safely and follow relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidates workplace

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSSA Apply an understanding of environmental principles to site issues

MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to site issues

MSLA Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSLA Undertake environmental fieldbased monitoring

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team

Resources may include

vehicles survey equipment water sampling and monitoring equipment cameras consumables and manuals

work program enterprise procedures codes of practice maps and field protocols

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of water samples collected by the candidate

review of water sampling and testing records completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures samplingtesting procedures and works safely

oral and written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of water sampling and testing procedures use of equipment and normal ranges

review of other workplace documentation completed by the candidate

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a worklike environment

Guidance information for assessment

Codes of practice

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Common field test parameters

Laboratory test parameters

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Equipment

Hazards

OHS and environmental management requirements