Application
This unit involves following ecological and biodiversity protection principles when identifying and protecting forest habitats, threatened species, microclimates and landscape features; or while conducting hazard-reduction procedures in an operational forest environment.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Access and interpret ecological and biodiversity protection legislation and organisational procedures | 1.1 Identify and review information on occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental, 1.2 Identify and interpret key principles and requirements that apply to ecological and biodiversity protection 1.3 Identify sensitive ecological and biodiversity sites, habitats, landscape features and |
2 Implement biodiversity protection principles | 2.1 Review work order and identify and clarify ecological and biodiversity requirements with appropriate personnel 2.2 Identify endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats, sensitive landscape features and protection zones in the field 2.3 Identify and report existing and potential ecological risks and hazards 2.4 Apply protection measures for endangered communities, threatened species, ecological habitats and sensitive landscape features and protection zones in line with codes of practice and operational plan 2.5 Select, apply and verify protection zone methods and materials with appropriate personnel 2.6 Identify situations requiring specialist advice and seek assistance in line with organisational requirements |
3 Monitor work practices to ensure compliance with legislation | 3.1 Monitor and adjust work practices to meet changing conditions 3.2 Monitor and maintain ecological and biodiversity protection work practices in line with codes of practice and operational plan 3.3 Identify and report non-compliant work practices to appropriate personnel 3.4 Identify improved work practices and make recommendations in line with organisational continuous improvement procedures |
4 Maintain records | 4.1 Update operational plans as required with any new threatened species or habitat protection 4.2 Complete relevant |
Required Skills
Required skills: |
Literacy skills to: locate, read, interpret and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form complete and maintain workplace documentation and reports Technical skills to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment Communication skills and interpersonal techniques to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace. Numeracy skills to measure, calculate and estimate material quantities and time required to complete a task Problem-solving skills to: identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures review, identify and interpret work requirements |
Required knowledge: |
Federal, state and territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for ecological and biodiversity protection Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of products and waste material Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures relevant to environmental care Environmental policies and practices, risks and hazard identification relevant to biodiversity protection Established communication channels and protocols Problem identification and fault-finding techniques Mathematical procedures for measuring and estimating, including calculating quantities and time to complete tasks Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information |
Evidence Required
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 | A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can implement and monitor ecological and biodiversity protection principles |
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of: following applicable federal, state or territory regulatory or local government ordinance requirements, codes of practice, and OHS and environmental policies relevant to ecological and biodiversity protection following organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring ecological and biodiversity protection principles effective communication and safe work practices implementing best practice and industry-acceptable ecological and biodiversity protection principles monitoring and maintaining ecological and biodiversity protection principles identifying and reporting non-compliant work practices completing relevant workplace documentation and reporting processes |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards The following resources should be made available: workplace location or simulated workplace materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit specifications and work instructions |
Method of assessment | Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role |
Range Statement
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. |
OHS requirements: | are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include: safe work procedures hazard and risk control elimination of hazardous materials and substances techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying |
Regulatory requirements: | are to be in line with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect forest operations in relation to ecological and biodiversity protection and may include: federal, state or territory legislation Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) Threatened Species Conservation Act Native Vegetation Act native forest legislation private native forest codes forest operational plans environmental legislation, policy and procedures environmental planning and assessment specific site environmental management plans relevant codes of practice water catchment management surface and ground water conservation requirements relevant Australian standards and industry standards hazard reduction policy and procedures plantation legislation plantation and reforestation code fisheries and fish passage national parks and wildlife legislation good neighbour policies award and organisational agreements heritage and traditional landowner forest certification, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification |
Organisational requirements may include: | legal compliance documentation recording and reporting environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines operational plan, including organisation and site guidelines |
Various forest types may include: | Callitris forest closed low eucalypt forest open low eucalypt forest low eucalypt woodland open eucalypt mallee forest eucalypt mallee woodland closed medium eucalypt forest open medium eucalypt forest medium eucalypt woodland closed tall eucalypt forest open tall eucalypt forest tall eucalypt woodland River Red Gum and river flood plains melaleuca forest tropical rainforest subtropical rainforest warm and cool temperate rainforest |
Habitats: | are any area or region where local animals, plants or organisms may live or rely upon for food, water, shelter or breeding purposes and may include: habitat plants and trees, including: specific species burrow food roost nest recruitment trees hollow logs rocky outcrops rock overhangs caves soil mounds creek or river banks sheltered valleys or canyons any other site, feature or zone listed as habitat or potential habitat |
Landscape features: | are any topographical or ecological feature that could serve as a habitat to sensitive or endangered local animals, plants or organisms and may include: wetlands steep slopes sheltered valleys or canyons rocky outcrops and overhang caves waterfalls and courses vegetation community sites of cultural or heritage significance |
Protection zones: | are areas or zones where operational conditions are varied by prescriptions for the management of ecological and biodiversity values, and may include: buffer zones filter strips riparian protection areas exclusion zones conservation management plan |
Operational plan may include: | forest operations plan harvesting plan plantation establishment plan coupe plan roading plan drainage plan sediment and erosion control plan |
Appropriate personnel may include: | colleague leading hand bush boss foreman supervisor manager environmental officer other authorised personnel |
Threatened species may include: | animals and plants listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and any amendments animals and plants listed in state or territory legislation, such as NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995) |
Changing conditions: | are those conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different work strategies or practices to maximise forest soil and water protection from an increased risk of pollution and may include: land tenure topography machinery and operation type forest type soil type and erodibility rainfall intensity soil moisture ground cover code of practice quality of roads and tracks |
Prescriptions may include: | any temporary or permanent measure or action aimed at protecting the ecology and biodiversity before, during or on completion of forest operations modified silviculture exclusion of an activity modified access, including: cordons or barricades signage written instruction verbal instruction code of practice directives or requirements legislative compliance local ordinances |
Documentation and reporting may include: | specific organisational records, reports and forms update of forest operational plans operational inspection report non-compliance report road and crossing designs drainage line and buffer zone specifications |
Sectors
Common Technical
Competency Field
n/a |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills
Licensing Information
General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements may apply to this unit.