Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting procedures guidelines and manuals

locating and evaluating wetland information

planning and conducting assigned desktopfield activities efficiently

making objective observations based on clear criteria

demonstrating correct and safe use of samplingmeasuring equipment including preuse checks to obtain valid samples and data

identifying and rectifying basic equipment faults

estimating numbers of flora and fauna coverage and measuring dimensions and areas

assigning assessment scores index values health indexrating and calculating scientific quantities uncertainties and unit conversion factors

analysing findings of field work to produce reliable results and logical conclusions

providing written reports that meet user needs

communicating effectively with others such as enterprise staff members of the public clients landowners and consultants

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

specific legislation policies and guidelines relevant to field activities

sources of wetland information eg directories indexes data sets and assessment tools

basic terminology and principles of wetland assessment monitoring and management

defining characteristics and functions of major wetland types

fundamental principles of ecology and assessment of site environmental indicators

environmental factors that impact on soils water quality population and diversity of flora and fauna

procedures and equipment for collecting soil water micro biological samples and environmental measurements eg water

procedures and equipment for maintaining storing and transporting samplesspecimens to ensure their wellbeing viability and integrity

procedures and equipment for basic spatial and environmental measurements

enterprise procedures for the recording of field data and reporting of findings

protocols for the confidentiality and security of information and communicating with the community and media

relevant health safety and environment requirements

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 contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

planning and safely conducting survey and monitoring activities for a range of wetlands that meet user needs

accessing and using existing environmental data sets

obtaining reliable field samples and measurements

providing detailed descriptions of wetland characteristics existing conditions management values environmental issues and possible causes

completing all documentation in the required format and timeframe

working safely and minimising environmental impacts

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 Collect spatial and discrete environmental data

MSS024005A Collect spatial and discrete environmental data

MSSA Perform sampling and testing of water

MSS024006A Perform sampling and testing of water.

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

Resources may include

access to a range of wetlands

sampling equipment field instruments and materials

enterprise procedures test methods and equipment manuals

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of wetlands data results and records prepared by the candidate

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

oralwritten questioning associated with surveys and monitoring of wetlands samplingmeasurement equipment and procedures and wetland assessment techniques

observation of the candidate collecting samples and conducting field tests in wetlands

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, guidelines, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Wetlands

Desktop and field activities

Wetland management plan

Wetland data sources and data

Survey proformas, data collection forms and field identification guides

Field equipment and materials

Laboratory analyses

Environmental issues and possible causes

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements