This unit of competency supports the application of basic planning, organising and communication skills, the use of technology, and technical understanding in interpreting specifications. 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

1Prepare for GPS data collection.

1.1 A data collection plan is developed, detailing key activities and timelines, which are scheduled with full consideration of the specifications and team activity.

1.2 Organisational GPS survey requirements are complied with and recorded.

1.3 Equipment is prepared for the survey with consideration of the specific project parameters and requirements.

1.4 Designated responsibilities are communicated to and by relevant personnel to ensure clarity of understanding of the work and to provide a basis for ongoing data assessment.

1.5 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in GPS equipment.

2Collect GPS data.

2.1 GPS equipment is operated according to manufacturer specifications and organisational guidelines.

2.2 Point positionaldata is collected and related to a reference system based on specifications.

2.3 GPS data is collected using methodologies detailed in the data collection plan.

2.4 Conditions for obtaining optimum GPS positions are determined.

2.5 Basic methods to improve the accuracy of GPS point positioning are recognised and used.

2.6 GPS measurements are validated and recorded on the reference system according to the project specifications.

2.7 Any discrepancies between specifications and actual activities are identified and addressed.

2.8 OHS requirements are adhered to.

2.9 GPS equipment is operated according to manufacturer specifications and organisational guidelines.

3Finalise the collection process.

3.1 Basic GPS software is used to communicate with basic GPS receivers.

3.2 GPS software is used to determine required information.

3.3 Measured GPS data is compared against design.

3.4 Checks are completed according to organisational requirements.

3.5 All required documentation is completed according to organisational guidelines.

3.6 Appropriate software is used to process the data in order to determine required information, according to organisational guidelines.

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

Required skills:

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

analytical skills (high level)

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 complete business documentation

literacy skills to:

assess and use workplace information

interpret and understand legal, financial and procedural requirements

process workplace documentation

read, record data and write technical reports

research and access routine sources of spatial data

negotiation skills

numeracy skills to:

analyse errors

record with accuracy and precision

undertake computations

organisational skills to:

prepare and administer documentation

prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

project management skills

spatial skills to:

perform GPS data archival and retrieval

perform GPS 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

team leadership.

Required knowledge and understanding:

abilities of work teams

accuracy and precision requirements related to GPS data

data formats

data management

errors, accuracy and precision in collection techniques

GPS data processing and data manipulation

GPS equipment

industry standards

limitations of equipment

organisational policies and guidelines, such as OHS guidelines

planning and control processes

safe work practices

relevant industry requirements and standards

spatial reference systems (basic)

surveying computation skills (basic).

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 CPPSIS4001A Maintain spatial systems, CPPSIS4002A Store and retrieve spatial data, and CPPSIS4004A Collect and set out basic spatial 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:

matching objectives with resources to ensure collection proceeds in an organised and timely manner

ensuring that achievement of required accuracy has been attempted by:

accessing and interpreting basic design information to identify the components to be measured and monitored

performing basic measurements

planning basic resources

applying solutions to a range of problems

basic documenting and reporting

reducing and manipulating GPS data

ensuring that non-conformity aspects are recorded and reported

taking responsibility for outputs in work and learning.

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.

Specifications may include:

detailed technical descriptions of survey data and its requirements

preparation of cross-sections and plans with all information included.

Organisational GPS survey requirements may include:

administration (e.g. postcodes, suburbs, and federal and state electoral counties)

analysis of environmental, land and geographic information

asset management

cartographic services

civil engineering

digital imagery

electricity

emergency services management

environmental datasets

geographic information systems

integrated services - environmental, land and geographic related datasets

land ownership tenure system

local government

location-based services

global positioning

mapping facilities

programming GPS

site analysis

survey marks

sewerage

telecommunications

town planning

utility services, such as water.

Equipment may include:

any geodetic GPS receiver

associated equipment capable of differential and real time modes of operations.

Project parameters and requirements may include:

coordinate systems

datum

display formats

information displays

outputs.

Relevant personnel may include:

colleagues

registered surveyors

site personnel

staff or employee representatives

supervisors or line managers

suppliers

users.

Manufacturer specifications may include:

equipment specifications

operator manuals.

Organisational guidelines may include:

appropriate timelines

code of ethics

company policy

final product formats

formal design parameters

legislation relevant to the work or service function, including equal employment opportunity (EEO)

manuals

OHS policies and procedures

personnel practices and guidelines outlining teamwork, work roles and responsibilities

requirements for data processing.

Point positional data may include:

basic GPS positions, not including differential methods.

Validated means reflecting the true state of a test result, including tests for systematic distortions such as:

confounding bias

information/data bias

observational bias

recall bias

selection bias.

Reference system refers to:

projection and datum parameters required for GPS equipment and processing software.

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 personal protective clothing

use of safety equipment and signage.

GPS software refers to:

GPS software package designed to process GPS data and output required information.

Required information may include:

calculated information

metadata

positional data

set out positional accuracy.

Required documentation may include:

electronic or paper-based correspondence with client

field records

final report

records of conversation

survey plots

organisational work activity sheets.

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.