Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to prepare and implement environmentally sustainable forest industry practices. It requires an ability to undertake consultative and audit processes to assess the effectiveness of environmental management strategies and to identify areas for change, or improved practice. Work is completed in a forest, equivalent or other suitable setting.
The unit applies to job roles including Community Liaison Officers, Designer (Manufacturing and Engineered Wood Products), Environmental Planners and Managers, Forest Auditor or Forest Planner, Forest Sustainability Manager, Forestry Manager, General Manager, Plantation Manager, Sustainability Manager, Technical Forester, Technical Services Officer, Technical Services Manager and Value Recovery Officer.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Implement environmentally sustainable forest management strategies | 1.1 Develop and implement environmentally sustainable strategies for forest management. 1.2 Use consultative processes to negotiate and agree on strategy processes, objectives and timelines. 1.3 Assess strategies for effectiveness in reducing waste disposal. 1.4 Revise strategies to ensure ongoing improvements. |
2. Manage integrity of water bodies | 2.1 Determine appropriate strategies to manage integrity of water bodies in order to protect flora, fauna, culturally significant landscapes, natural or anthropogenic formations and constructions 2.2 Source and use water from locations other than mains water in line with organisational guidelines. 2.3 Manage and optimise use of run-off water and minimise pollutants. 2.4 Develop planting strategies to effectively and appropriately use available water supply and manage run-off. |
3. Manage integrity of soil | 3.1 Determine appropriate strategies to manage integrity of soil in order to protect flora, fauna, culturally significant landscapes, natural or anthropogenic formations and constructions 3.2 Minimise wind and water erosion by using appropriate species and planting patterns. 3.3 Manage nutrients and texture of the soil to maintain soil productivity. 3.4 Maintain soil integrity in line with rainfall, irrigation and water strategies in place. |
4. Complete environmental audit | 4.1 Determine need for an environmental management audit 4.2 Conduct environmental management audit in line with organisational policies and procedures. 4.3 Cover all environmental considerations relevant to site operations. 4.4 Report audit outcomes and develop detailed and verifiable recommendations for improvements to environmental protection practices. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must be able to provide evidence that they can:
Develop and document environmentally sustainable forest management strategies for a given forestry operation site.
Incorporate strategies and practices to protect flora, fauna, culturally significant landscapes, natural or anthropogenic formations and constructions through managing the following issues:
waste disposal
managing the integrity of water bodies
managing integrity of soil
effective use of irrigation and watering systems
Complete an environmental management audit for a given site where forestry operations are present; report outcomes and document recommendations for improvements to environmental protection practices.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
Purpose and key content of environmental protection laws applicable to forestry operations.
Key content of current government and industry environmental sustainability initiatives, codes of practice and guidelines.
Environmentally sustainable management strategies and protection practices for forest settings:
minimising temporary, short-term, long-term and permanent damage to natural flora, fauna and landscape
returning the environment to its original or near to original condition on completion of activity
soil and water protection
management of fire and weeds
disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste
composting waste
safely cleaning plant, tools and equipment
protecting flora and fauna
maintenance of culturally significant landscapes, natural or anthropogenic formations and constructions.
Energy flow and food web frameworks.
Strategies to manage integrity of water bodies including methods to minimise effects of common pollutants on water bodies.
Irrigation and watering strategies that aim to:
minimise evaporation
minimise run-off
accurately deliver water.
Strategies to manage soil integrity, including:
appropriate species and planting patterns to minimise wind and water erosion
methods for managing nutrients and stages of nutrient cycling.
Soil testing processes and results interpretation.
Range of environmental considerations relevant to environmental site audits, including:
topography
water use
waste emissions.
Format, content and use of audit reports.
Organisational and site standards, policies and procedures for sustainable forestry practices.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
Computers, keyboards, printers and software used to prepare environmental management strategies, plans and audit reports.
Worksheets, checklists and other proformas commonly used to conduct an environmental management audit
Organisational and site standards, policies and procedures for sustainable forestry practices.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or other equivalent or suitable environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
Hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | Analyse quantitative information and data. |
Oral communication skills to: | Hold high-level consultative discussions to generate ideas for and negotiate content of environmental management strategies. |
Writing skills to: | Prepare audit reports where precise meaning is required and rationale for recommendations is justified. |
Technology skills to: | Use a computer, keyboard and software to prepare audit reports. |
Sectors
Common Technical