This unit of competency supports the application of self-management and technological skills, planning and organising data management, and data manipulation. The skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this unit would apply to the needs of employees in supporting positions for surveying, town planning, cartography, mapping and geographic information systems.

While no licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply holistically to this unit at the time of publication, relevant federal, and state or territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice impact upon this unit (see unit performance criteria and range statement).

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ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Confirm reliability of the spatial systems.

1.1 Spatial data updates are accessed from spatial systems to ensure currency and relevance.

1.2 Spatial systems are checked to ensure they meet organisational requirements.

1.3 Updates are made in line with organisational guidelines and legislative requirements.

1.4 Integrity and consistency of systems and data are maintained.

1.5 Correct OHS practices are adhered to.

1.6 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in data requirements.

2Replace data in spatial systems.

2.1 Spatial data is amended and replaced according to changes identified, spatial systems and organisational requirements.

2.2 Existing data is adjusted to integrate with new data as appropriate.

2.3 Spatial datasets are tested and validated to ensure integrity and quality.

2.4 Documentation is amended and updated according to organisational standards.

3Carry out data backup and recovery.

3.1 Data backups are implemented to ensure copies of data are accessible in contingency situations.

3.2 Backup system is tested to ensure it can be retrieved.

4Archive data.

4.1 Spatial dataset to be archived is manipulated where necessary to ensure completeness.

4.2 Metadata is created according to accepted industry standards.

4.3 New and existing spatial data is stored in a secure environment and according to spatial systems and organisational guidelines.

4.4 Archival details are recorded according to organisational guidelines.

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

Required skills:

ability to develop basic policies and guidelines pertaining to spatial data systems

ability to interpret technical manuals

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

ability to verify data reliability

administrative skills

communication skills to:

discuss vocational issues effectively with colleagues

impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means

computer skills (technical user level) to apply software and hardware

information management

literacy skills to:

assess and use workplace information

interpret and understand legal, financial and procedural requirements

process workplace documentation

read and record data and write routine reports

numeracy skills to:

accurately record and collate

undertake computations

organisational skills to:

prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

prepare and administer documentation

project management skills

spatial skills to:

perform spatial data archival and retrieval

perform spatial data management and manipulation

perform file management

solve basic problems relating to height, depth, breadth, dimension, direction and position in actual operational activity and virtual representation

understand implications of height, depth, breadth, dimension and position to actual operational activity and virtual representation.

Required knowledge and understanding:

computer operating systems

coordinating reference systems

industry metadata standards, including positional accuracy, currency, coordinate system, metric system, lineage and source

map projections

OHS guidelines

organisational policies and guidelines regarding spatial data maintenance

relational database

relevant spatial data

spatial data input technologies, including digitising, scanning, remote sensing and satellite imagery

spatial data maintenance systems

spatial data output and distribution technologies, including scripting, query language, macro development, graphic interfaces, networks and remote access

spatial reference systems.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example units CPPSIS4002A Store and retrieve spatial data, CPPSIS4004A Collect and set out basic spatial data, and CPPSIS4005A Collect basic GPS data.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

applying known solutions to a range of problems

making qualitative judgements about new and existing spatial data

operational knowledge in a broad range of areas relating to spatial data

performing a range of tasks where choice between a substantial range of options is required

taking responsibility for own outputs in work and learning

undertaking the full cycle of spatial data maintenance, including updating, backing up, recovering and archiving data.

Specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book

assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements

registered training provider of assessment services

relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice

suitable venue and equipment.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Context of assessment

Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.

Method of assessment

Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).

Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment requires that the clients' objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients' objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of spatial information services requirements to assess competency.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.

Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Spatial data may include:

digital

hard copy.

Spatial systems may include:

database

global positioning system (GPS)

image data

mapping

reference systems.

Update may include:

incremental or full updates

spatial or attribute or both

new information.

Legislative requirements may include:

relevant state, territory and federal legislation affecting organisational operations, including:

anti-discrimination and diversity

equal employment opportunity (EEO)

industrial relations.

OHS may include:

Australian standards

development of site safety plan

identification of potential hazards

inspection of work sites

training staff in OHS requirements

use of equipment and signage.

Documentation may include:

metadata

organisational indexes

spatial data files.

Manipulation may include:

addition

error tolerance testing

subtraction.

Metadata refers to summarised information about a spatial dataset that describes the characteristics of the dataset, including:

availability

conditions of use

coordinate system

currency

spatial data acquisition methodologies

date of acquisition

quality

source

version control.

Unit sector

Spatial information 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.