AHCNRM508
Investigate suspected breaches of natural resource management legislation


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to investigate suspected breaches of natural resource management (NRM) legislation.

This unit applies to officers who investigate suspected breaches of NRM legislation. It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and who provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.

All work is undertaken in accordance with organisational protocol and legal requirements.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Respond to advice of change in land use

1.1 Record details relating to change in land use

1.2 Complete pre-site inspection investigations in accordance with Federal or State legislation and local regulations

1.3 Report suspected breach and seek approval to proceed with investigation

2. Carry out site investigation

2.1 Follow work health and safety policies and procedures when carrying out investigations

2.2 Give notification to stakeholders of the consequences of their actions

2.3 Interview witnesses and landholders and record proceedings

2.4 Document records of interviews and proceedings

2.5 Communicate specific issues relating to collection of evidence aligning to technical guidelines

2.6 Record specific site details relevant to the investigation

3. Collect site evidence

3.1 Check accuracy of site details in line with program guidelines

3.2 Collect site evidence

3.3 Ensure completed investigations are sufficient to support judgement

4. Compile final report

4.1 Check detail and accuracy of supporting and validating data

4.2 Establish recommendations based on investigations that conform to legal protocol and organisational guidelines

4.3 Present final report and supporting workplace documentation

Evidence of Performance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

investigate suspected breaches of NRM legislation in accordance with legal and organisational protocols and guidelines

carry out preliminary investigations into a reported or suspected breach of land use legislation using organisational processes and procedures and in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements

seek approval to proceed with a full investigation

carry out a site investigation according to organisational guidelines

interview witnesses and land owners following organisational protocols

document records of interviews, proceedings and site details according to legal requirements and organisational protocols

check accuracy of all data and information collected and ensure it is sufficient to make an informed judgement

make recommendations based on information collected

complete final report with supporting documentation in line with policy guidelines and legislative and regulatory standards

apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

application of Federal and State legislation and regulations to natural resource management issues

types of breaches of natural resource management legislation

organisational policies and procedures for investigating and reporting on breaches

techniques for consulting with stakeholders, legal and agency policies and procedures

assessment approaches for area of notification

formats for compiling reports and submitting evidence


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Natural Resource Management (NRM)