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

NWP510A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop and maintain ratings

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency NWP510A - Develop and maintain ratings
Description This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to establish relationships between variables such as stage versus flow, conductivity versus salinity. This unit requires understanding of the processes required to collect data accurately, interpret data, verify data and produce clear reports that conform to organisational and industry standards.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for assistant hydrographers, field hydrologists and water operators responsible for reporting water quality, volume and flow in water systems.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Hydrography.
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: Review individual measurements.
  • Identify purposes of ratings.
  • Review measurements and compare against expected trends.
  • Use standard processes and software to check, edit and verify field data.
  • Correct and adjust inconsistent data.
       
Element: Develop rating curves.
  • Analyse existing measurements to establish trends and compare with existing ratings.
  • Identify sources of error in ratings.
  • Prepare rating curves based on measurements and agreed formulae and mathematical techniques under a variety of hydraulic conditions and control types.
  • Confirm and verify existing trend or define new trend.
  • Develop rating curves which comply with industry and client requirements.
  • Use theoretical methods to create or extend ratings.
  • Document processes and observations to provide traceability and accountability for quality assurance.
  • standard formulas to create ratings for pre-calibrated measuring structures.
  • Apply quality codes to rating curves.
       
Element: Maintain rating curves.
  • Confirm accuracy of rating curves using recent measurements and review trends and rating applicability.
  • Develop rating curves based on new information from reviews and changed conditions.
  • Retrieve and analyse current, historic and trend data using appropriate mathematical techniques and in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Document processes and observations and adjustments made.
       
Element: Report rating curves.
  • Check rating curves covers full stage range.
  • Prepare and store required archival data according to organisational procedures for data security.
  • Prepare and disseminate ratings in accordance with client requirements.
  • Make recommendations for future observations.
       


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, 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 establish relationships between variables such as stage versus flow and conductivity versus salinity including:

gathering and interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the development and maintenance of rating curves

analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases

preparing clear and accurate reports

storing and archiving data

identifying, reporting and providing solutions to a range of flow conditions

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

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

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

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. 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.

Required skills:

collect and analyse data

apply mathematical modelling and analytical tools

interpret and apply technical documentation to the collection, analysis and reporting of hydrometric data

identify and address potential or actual operational problems

record information and prepare reports and interpret a range of organisational documents

use computer systems and use various computer programs&spreadsheets to create ratings

use remote work communication systems

check hydrometric data for correctness and accuracy in preparation for creating ratings

identify characteristics of ratings appropriate to various cross section types&flow

regimes

identify incorrect and impossible ratings

adjust gaugings, hydrograph trace and ratings to a common datum

create ratings manually using various methods

create ratings for standard measuring structures

develop rating techniques to handle seasonal rating changes

identify the possibilities and limitations of scale models for generating ratings

identify and recognise causes of progressive, cyclical and sudden rating changes

identify backwater-affected stations and use appropriate techniques to rate them

identify gradual stream changes and adopt appropriate rating techniques

identify short-term rating changes, their causes and means of correctly processing them

apply Student's T test to determine whether a new rating is required

draw an accurate rating by hand

fit a rating curve using a number of mathematical techniques available in HYDSYS HYRATED

identify the probable error of a rating, and understand its significance

identify gross errors in ratings and the data used to compile them

apply appropriate quality codes to a rating

identify the elements of a stream bed&channel that affect ratings

estimate channel roughness from photographs

calculate the overall roughness coefficient of a channel consisting of a number of elements

use graphical logarithmic methods to extend a rating

identify appropriate sections to use for slope-area flow calculations

manually calculate flow rates using a set of cross sections and a long section

use a spreadsheet to perform calculations

make correct measurements and calculate flow rates through and over various structures

Required knowledge:

mathematical and other scientific techniques relevant to the analysis of hydrometric data

Student's T test

the elements of a stream bed&channel that affect the rating

the relationship between Chezy&Manning roughness coefficients

computer software relevant to the analysis and archiving of hydrographic data

the basis of statistical goodness of fit tests

occupational health and safety procedures

policies and standard operating procedures

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Standard processes and software may include:

standards relevant to preparation of rating

procedures for the development, maintenance and extension of rating curves

computation of flow from stage data and rating curves

software (Kisters - Hydstra, Scientific Software Group - AquaChem, Microsoft - Excel)

web-based development tools for presentation and reporting of data

Mathematical techniques may include:

logarithmic transformation

conversion of units

graphical analysis

gauging calculations

calculation of sediment load, sediment yield and sediment deposition

A variety of hydraulic conditions may include:

rapidly rising and falling stages

tail water and backwater affected

tidal effects

transitional from calibrated to channel

control sensitivity

siltation & control changes

Control Types may include:

sectional controls

partial controls

channel controls

Theoretical methods may include:

Mannings

Chezy

A(D

HECRAS

Archival data may include:

archive structure

period of applicability

rating equations

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
Identify purposes of ratings. 
Review measurements and compare against expected trends. 
Use standard processes and software to check, edit and verify field data. 
Correct and adjust inconsistent data. 
Analyse existing measurements to establish trends and compare with existing ratings. 
Identify sources of error in ratings. 
Prepare rating curves based on measurements and agreed formulae and mathematical techniques under a variety of hydraulic conditions and control types. 
Confirm and verify existing trend or define new trend. 
Develop rating curves which comply with industry and client requirements. 
Use theoretical methods to create or extend ratings. 
Document processes and observations to provide traceability and accountability for quality assurance. 
standard formulas to create ratings for pre-calibrated measuring structures. 
Apply quality codes to rating curves. 
Confirm accuracy of rating curves using recent measurements and review trends and rating applicability. 
Develop rating curves based on new information from reviews and changed conditions. 
Retrieve and analyse current, historic and trend data using appropriate mathematical techniques and in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Document processes and observations and adjustments made. 
Check rating curves covers full stage range. 
Prepare and store required archival data according to organisational procedures for data security. 
Prepare and disseminate ratings in accordance with client requirements. 
Make recommendations for future observations. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP510A - Develop and maintain ratings
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

NWP510A - Develop and maintain ratings

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: