Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

NWP318A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Monitor and operate gated spillways

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP318A - Monitor and operate gated spillways
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to manage and conduct surveillance of catchment run-off through dams and other water storage assets with gated spillways for dam/storage operations and flood routing.
Employability Skills This unit of competency contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff with a specific responsibility for the operation of dams and other water storage assets with gated spillways.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Collection and distribution
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Monitor flow and flood routing.
  • Monitor catchment behaviour during normal and flood conditions according to organisational procedures and practices.
  • Determine outflow using standard flow rate calculations.
  • Determine flow control settings.
       
Element: Plan and prepare for dam or storage operation.
  • Correctly apply guidelines and regulatory requirements for dam or water storage operation to operation plans.
  • Apply relevant organisational policies, standard operating procedures and incident management plans to dam/water storage operation plans and preparations.
  • Conduct inspections according to organisational and statutory requirements.
       
Element: Implement dam / water storage operation plans.
  • Apply operation plans according to organisational and statutory requirements.
  • Inspect and test plant and equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisational requirements.
  • Test, assess and document safety mechanisms.
       
Element: Regulate flows.
  • Regulate flow control mechanisms to maintain safety of asset and required system supply and flood routing.
  • Produce data relating to system operation and performance according to organisational requirements.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to manage and conduct surveillance of catchment run-off through dams and other water storage assets including:

operating gated spillway in conformance with standard operating procedures

interpreting technical documentation

identifying and investigating operational problems

collecting and analysing technical information

preparing required reports.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards, and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

calculate inflow and outflow rates

interpret and plot graphs

operate controls and ancillary equipment according to standard operating procedures

conduct inspections

coordinate and/or implement operational activities

interpret plans, drawings, instructions, standard operating procedures, policies and standards

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

use rescue equipment

use tools and machinery

identify hazards

give and receive instructions

communicate with other employees and customers

collect and process data

communicate

use equipment and instruments

interpret drawings, diagrams and charts

produce reports

inspect and operate instruments.

Required knowledge:

properties of stored water

system hydraulics

effects of water and catchment conditions on flow expectations

interrogation of catchment monitoring equipment

water flow measurement

operation of flood gates or plant

control systems

dam operation principles

materials science (eg corrosion, paint coating)

communication systems

principles of hydraulics

system layout

environmental aspects of operation and maintenance

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

control systems

equipment operation

relevant utilities and service bodies

hazardous materials handling

effects of weather and conditions on bulkwater assets

safe dam operating procedures

principles of dam inspection

risk management techniques

occupational health and safety

personal work site safety

organisational and statutory requirements.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Guidelines and regulatory requirements for dam or water storage operation include:

International Commission on Large Dams

Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) guidelines

storages may include:

weirs

reservoirs.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

Occupational Health and Safety, including the use of personal protective equipment

environmental laws and policies

by-laws and organisational policies

Water Acts

construction and occupational health and safety regulations

public safety and disaster plans

International Commission on Large Dams

Australian National Committee on Large Dams guidelines

state government or state committees

asset management plan.

Plant and equipment may include:

gantry crane operations

two-way radio.

Flow control mechanisms may include:

sand dams

temporary dam structures

diversion of flows

temporary and permanent bulkhead gates.

Data may include:

operation and maintenance manuals

past inspection reports

operation, monitoring and testing records

observation and associated comments and reports

original design plans

design modifications

construction records and reports

survey information

maintenance records

performance data.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Monitor catchment behaviour during normal and flood conditions according to organisational procedures and practices. 
Determine outflow using standard flow rate calculations. 
Determine flow control settings. 
Correctly apply guidelines and regulatory requirements for dam or water storage operation to operation plans. 
Apply relevant organisational policies, standard operating procedures and incident management plans to dam/water storage operation plans and preparations. 
Conduct inspections according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Apply operation plans according to organisational and statutory requirements. 
Inspect and test plant and equipment according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisational requirements. 
Test, assess and document safety mechanisms. 
Regulate flow control mechanisms to maintain safety of asset and required system supply and flood routing. 
Produce data relating to system operation and performance according to organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP318A - Monitor and operate gated spillways
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

NWP318A - Monitor and operate gated spillways

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: