This unit of competency supports the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, including the development of processes and tools. It applies to those who have responsibility for a specific area of work or who lead a work group or team.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage.

1.1 Environmental regulations applying to the enterprise are identified.

1.2 Procedures for assessing compliance with environmental regulations are assessed.

1.3 Information on environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures is collected and, where appropriate, provided to the work group.

1.4 Current resource usage is measured and documented by members of the work group.

1.5 Current purchasing strategies are analysed and documented.

1.6 Current work processes are analysed to access information and data and assist in identifying areas for improvement.

2. Set targets for improvements.

2.1 Input is sought from stakeholders, key personneland specialists.

2.2 External sources of information and data are accessed as required.

2.3 Alternative solutions to workplace environmental issues are evaluated.

2.4 Efficiency targets are set.

3. Implement performance improvement strategies.

3.1 Techniques and tools are sourced to assist in achieving targets.

3.2 Continuous improvement strategies are applied to own work area of responsibility and ideas and possible solutions are communicated to the work group and management.

3.3 Environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans for own work group are integrated with other operational activities and implemented.

3.4 Suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management are sought from stakeholders and acted upon where appropriate.

3.5 Costing strategies are implemented to fully value environmental assets.

4. Monitor performance.

4.1 Outcomes are documented and reports on targets are communicated to key personnel and stakeholders.

4.2 Strategies are evaluated.

4.3 New targets are set and new tools and strategies investigated and applied.

4.4 Successful strategies are promoted and where possible, participants rewarded.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

ability to analyse problems, devise solutions and reflect on approaches taken

ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

change management skills

communication and consultation skills to ensure information is supplied to the work group

literacy skills for comprehending documentation and interpreting environmental and energy efficiency requirements

recognise and implement environmental and energy efficiency management policies and procedures relevant to own work area

technology skills, including the ability to operate and shut down equipment.

Required knowledge and understanding:

best practice approaches relevant to own area of responsibility

environmental and resource efficiency issues specific to industry practices

quality assurance systems relevant to own work area

relevant environmental and energy efficiency systems and procedures

strategies to maximise opportunities and minimise impacts relevant to own work area

supply chain procedures.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to implement and monitor integrated environmental and resource efficiency management policies and procedures within an organisation.

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

The candidate demonstrates:

an understanding of external benchmarks

application of improved resource use approaches to own work area

outcomes

why the choice of particular benchmarks has been made.

Reports of activities of work group in relation to measurement and development of strategies.

The way in which advice is sought and suggestions made about improvements.

Work plans outlining approaches to improved practices with documented benchmarks.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.

Access to workplace documentation and personnel.

Reports from other parties involved in the process of identifying and implementing improvements.

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

Compliance includes:

meeting relevant federal, state or territory, and local government laws, by-laws, regulations and codes of practice.

Purchasing strategies may include:

influencing suppliers to take up environmental sustainability.

Stakeholders, key personnel and specialists may include:

individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the enterprise's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

employees at all levels of the organisation

customers

suppliers

other organisations

key personnel within the organisation, and specialists outside it who may have particular technical expertise.

Techniques and tools may include:

examination of invoices from suppliers

measurements made under different conditions

examination of relevant information and data

others as appropriate to the specific industry context.

Environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans may include:

addressing environmental and resource sustainability initiatives such as Environmental Management Systems, action plans, surveys and audits

applying the waste management hierarchy in the workplace

determining enterprise's most appropriate waste treatment including waste to landfill, recycling, re-use and wastewater treatment

initiating and/or maintaining appropriate enterprise procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary and non-stationary (transport) energy

reference to standards, guidelines and approaches such as:

ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems

life cycle analyses

global reporting initiative

ecological footprinting

triple bottom line reporting

product stewardship.

Suggestions may include ideas that help to:

prevent and minimise risks and maximise opportunities such as usage of solar energy where appropriate

reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

reduce use of non-renewable resources

make more efficient use of energy

maximise opportunities to re-use and recycle materials

identify strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts e.g. purchase of carbon credits

express purchasing power through the selection of suppliers with improved environmental performance e.g. purchase of renewable energy

eliminate the use of hazardous and toxic materials.

Unit sector

Property Services

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.