ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Manage the project design process

1.1 Areas of expertise and specialist services required to carry out the project are identified

1.2 A design brief is prepared

1.3 Project design and contract arrangements are agreed

1.4 Site elements and features that impact on project design and establishment are assessed

1.5 The impact of project location on the type of carbon credits generated, where relevant, is ascertained

1.6 The impact of differing crediting and reporting periods on project planning and implementation is assessed

1.7 A design is prepared that describes the detailed features, specifications and approach of the project

1.8 The design is checked for compliance with the relevant approved methodology and CFI requirements and agreed with the stakeholder

2. Carry out preliminary planning activities

2.1 The responsibilities of owning and managing a CFI project are identified

2.2 Project design and contract requirements are confirmed

2.3 The availability and quantity of materials and resources listed in the project specifications are verified

2.4 The availability of personnel with appropriate expertise to assist with or undertake project work is confirmed

3. Prepare a staged plan of work

3.1 Resources, tools, labour and equipment required for project implementation are identified

3.2 Project risks are assessed and controls are established

3.3 A project plan outlining allocation of resources, work tasks and timing is prepare

3.4 Interdependencies, seasonal factors and impacts are identified and incorporated in the staging strategy

4.1 Cost implementation works

4.1 Current prices for project resources, tools, labour and equipment required for project implementation are obtained

4.2 Unit and total cost for each resource item is calculated

4.3 Total project costs are accurately calculated and documented

4.4 Adjustments are made where required to reconcile resource costs with project budget

4.5 The costed plan is agreed with the project proponent

4.6 The costed plan is checked with the relevant auditor to ensure that the methods proposed in applying the methodology will meet audit requirements

Required skills

communication skills to:

determine and confirm client requirements using questioning and active listening as required

liaise with others, share information, listen and understand

literacy skills to:

read and interpret documentation from a variety of sources

analyse information to ensure currency, accuracy and appropriateness to client needs

complete documentation accurately

research and analytical skills to access, interpret and manage complex information

numeracy and IT skills to:

interpret financial information and calculate costs and benefits of the project

access and use appropriate software

use the internet to research information

information management skills to capture and record key project information

interpersonal skills to:

establish rapport with clients

liaise with other team members and specialists

judgement skills to:

apply ethical principles to decision making in the advisory process

form suitable recommendations when advising

self-management skills to comply with ethical, legal and procedural requirements

organising and time-management skills to:

sequence tasks

meet timelines and deliver agreed outcomes

arrange meetings

leadership skills to:

build an effective project team

lead the team in the implementation of the project

anticipate, plan and organise required materials and resources

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and regulations, particularly provisions relevant to project planning and implementation,and including relevant eligible activities on the positive list

any regulatory guidance included on the Clean Energy Regulator website for the relevant methodologies

science of methane formation from waste and manure

means of reducing methane emissions from landfill, including gas capture and flaring, gas destruction in internal combustion engines and gas boilers, the use of bio-covers and bio-filters and other means including an understanding of the nature and purpose of the required equipment and processes

means of reducing methane emissions from livestock manure, including gas capture and flaring, gas destruction in internal combustion engines, the use of bio-digestors and other means including an understanding of the nature and purpose of the required equipment and processes

details of relevant approved CFI landfill gas, waste diversion and livestock manure management methodologies including eligibility requirements, project area requirements, net abatement calculation requirements, monitoring, reporting and auditing requirements and further information sources

current pricing and options for project resources, tools, equipment and contractors

formats for organising and presenting financial, qualitative and quantitative information

carbon accounting in the waste and land sectors, including

Australia's national carbon accounting framework

need for consistency of abatement calculations under the CFI with methods in the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting determination and the National Inventory Report

requirements for measuring emissions from land-based sources relevant to the methodologies

For landfill gas methodologies

guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines for legacy waste landfill methane projects

CFI landfill gas calculator

CFI landfill methane regulatory baseline calculator

solid waste calculator

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination

For livestock manure management methodologies

PigBal version specified on the Clean Energy Regulator website

Dairy Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategies Calculator, Advisor version 1.4, produced by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research

Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry published by Dairy Australia in 2008

an understanding of the daily operation of piggeries, dairies and other livestock operations as necessary to understand the context and application of the relevant methodologies

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.

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to:

manage the project design process

plan the implementation of a landfill gas, waste diversion or livestock manure management project

prepare a project plan

identify resources for a program of works

cost implementation of the project

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must be undertaken in the context of the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Assessment resources must be developed to determine the candidate’s depth and breadth of knowledge of approved landfill gas, waste diversion and livestock manure management methodologies and the knowledge required to plan their implementation, as their ability to provide accurate and up-to-date information to others in a professional manner.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observing processes and procedures in workplaces

oral or written questioning on required knowledge and skills

evaluating workplace documents and samples of work

simulated projects, scenarios or case studies

obtaining and validating third party references and reports

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment with other units relevant to the job role is recommended.

The unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.

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.

Seasonal factors and impacts include:

material handling

rainfall requirements

machinery use

fire hazards

growing conditions

establishment period

Design brief includes:

a brief that outlines project objectives, outcomes, scope, constraints and assumptions, dependencies, design options and preferred option, business case, success indicators, project approach and governance arrangements (including compliance requirements with the standards of the applicable auditor)

Positive list includes:

a register, contained in the CFI regulations, of abatement activities, that are eligible to earn carbon credits under the CFI