This unit applies to working under routine supervision with intermittent checking. Competency involves the application of knowledge and skills to a range of observation and reporting situations usually within established workplace routines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and organise observations

1.1. Defined process for observation is prepared and agreed by supervisor.

1.2. Equipment for observation is obtained according to enterprise procedures.

1.3. Requirements under legislation, protection agreements and enterprise procedures for species are noted.

2. Collect information and record

2.1. Plants and animals and their presence are identified orally or from field guides to enterprise guidelines.

2.2. Plants and animals and/or samples are collected as required under enterprise guidelines.

2.3. Protection and quarantine requirements under legislation, protection agreements and enterprise procedures for species are observed.

2.4. Observation activities minimise degradation and disturbance and comply with legislation and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

3. Report data

3.1. Information on observed plants and animals are recorded and organised according to enterprise guidelines.

3.2. Information is communicated to supervisors according to enterprise guidelines.

3.3. Records are compatible with enterprise recording and database arrangements.

3.4. Occurrence of an organism is plotted and described using maps and grid references.

Required skills

plan and organise observations

recognise fauna and flora

collect information and record

interpret data

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

criteria used to group species

common and scientific names of plants and animals

biological species occurring in the study area

the importance, value or potential impact of the species in a designated area

rare and endangered species

undesirable plants (weeds) and animals

maps and grid references.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

observe and accurately identify species of animals in a natural area

observe and accurately identify species of plants in a natural area

record and report observations in required format

carry out a survey of plants and animals in a natural area causing minimal disruption to the environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Plant species may include:

species covering listed threatened species

listed notifiable or noxious weeds

plants not previously seen at regularly visited site

plants to be reported under enterprise or industry guidelines.

Animal species may include:

listed threatened species

listed notifiable species

animals not previously seen at regularly visited site

invertebrates

aquatic organisms

animals to be reported under enterprise or industry guidelines.

Unit sector

Indigenous land management

This unit contains employability skills.