Required skills

Required skills include

accessing interpreting and applying relevant legislativeregulatory requirements standards codes guidelines and equipment manuals

explaining relevant water quality standards samplingmonitoring methods equipment operating procedures and enterprise water quality management actions clearly and concisely

verifying the accuracy and completeness of water quality data results and technical records

using statistical tests eg to determine data acceptability estimate uncertainties examine trends and infer basic relationships

recognising unexpected or unacceptable data and results

analysing records of sampling monitoring andor calibration activities to identify potential causes of unacceptableunexpected data and results

recommending appropriate preventativecorrective actions to control potentialactual nonconformances or incidents

solving complex technical problems including identifying and rectifying instrument faults

responding effectively to complaints and requests for information

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

maintaining records and providing accurate complete and timely reports

working safely and monitoring the safety of others

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

water quality management terminology concepts and principles

legislativeregulatory requirements standards codes and guidelines dealing with water quality

enterprise water quality management plans procedures and water quality issues control measures and mitigationmanagement actions for siteproject if relevant

measurement parameters and for waters sediments or biota relevant to job role

detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the samples samplingmonitoring methods equipment materials and instrumentation used to generate the water quality data including calibration faultfinding and troubleshooting

expected values for water quality parameters relevant ANZECC guidelines and statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar

problemsolving techniques and cause analysis

impacts of common human environmental andor meteorological factors on data quality

sources of interference uncertainty limitations of methods and sources of variability

enterprise procedures for identifyingassessing environmental risksimpacts responding to complaints and environmental incidents and record management and reporting water quality data

interpersonal communication negotiation and conflict resolution techniques

relevant health safety and workplace emergency response procedures

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 implementing the daytoday water quality management activities for a site project or ongoing program

explaining water quality management plans procedures samplingmonitoring methods and operation of monitoring equipment clearly and accurately

verifying the accuracy and completeness of water quality data results and technical records

investigating unexpected or unacceptable water quality results in a logical and efficient manner

reporting water quality results performance and opportunities for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining water quality records in accordance with legislativelicensingenterprise requirements

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 Select commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments

MSS027011A Select, commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments.

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

Resources may include

siteprojectprogram history

relevant legislation codes standards enterprise environmental management policies plans actions procedures checklists and equipment manuals

water quality data sets records and reports

sampling methods and description of monitoring setup and access to monitoring sampling and testing equipment

computer and relevant software or enterprise information management system

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of water quality management data files results and records verified by the candidate

feedback from managers and site personnel regarding the candidates ability to safely coordinate daytoday water quality management activities

review of reports and recommended improvements for water quality monitoring or management prepared by the candidate

questions to assess understanding of procedures governing the validation of data acceptability of dataresults sources of water quality data variability interferences and uncertainty and relevant preventative or corrective actions

analysis of case studiesreports of relevant water quality management issues and incidents

observation of the candidate providing water quality management information andor instruction to other personnel

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

Water quality measurement parameters (field and laboratory)

Sampling and field monitoring equipment

Water quality reports

Water quality records

Water quality management actions

OHS and environmental management requirements