ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Operate water metering equipment

1.1 Equipment is maintained and checked for accuracy according to established procedures

1.2 Samples are collected according to established procedures

1.3 Readings and observations are recorded and interpreted

1.4 Equipment is transported and stored correctly

2 Operate pressure testing equipment

2.1 Equipment is maintained and checked for accuracy according to established procedures

2.2 Sampling points are identified

2.3 Readings and observations are recorded and interpreted

2.4 Equipment is transported and stored correctly

3 Operate water testing equipment

3.1 Equipment is maintained and checked for accuracy as per procedures

3.2 Samples are collected according to established procedures

3.3 Readings and observations are recorded and interpreted

3.4 Equipment is transported and stored correctly

4 Operate soil moisture testing equipment

4.1 Equipment is maintained and checked for accuracy according to established procedures

4.2 Samples are collected according to established procedures

4.3 Readings and observations are recorded and interpreted

4.4 Equipment is transported and stored correctly

5 Operate irrigation controllers and sensors

5.1 Sensors are linked to controllers by wiring or radio signals

5.2 Controllers are programmed

5.3 Accuracy and reliability of electronic flow control equipment is monitored

5.4 Discrepancies or malfunctions are reported to management

Required skills include:

Ability to:

operate water metering equipment

operate pressure testing equipment

operate water testing equipment

operate soil moisture testing equipment

operate irrigation controllers and sensors

check accuracy and calibrate equipment if necessary

take samples for testing

record observations and data.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

sampling techniques

equipment maintenance and operation

measurement procedures

operational procedures

data recording procedures

safe work practices including working with low voltage wiring

environmental procedures for use, storage and recycling of electronic equipment and batteries.

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:

maintain and check irrigation equipment for accuracy

take representative samples for measurement

operate technology to measure and monitor the irrigation system or the growing environment

record the results of testing.

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. 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.

Water metering equipment may include:

the range of meters that are commercially available for measuring irrigation water.

Pressure testing equipment may include:

the range of pressure gauges.

Soil moisture testing equipment may include:

tensiometers

electrical resistance blocks

capacitance probe

neutron probes.

Electronic componentry may include:

remote control valves

sensing equipment.

Irrigation controllers may include:

the range from a simple time switch connected to one valve to programmable computers operating multiple valves to a schedule.