ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Establish networks and communication channels with key areas

1.1 Council departments are consulted regularly to keep abreast of emerging community needs and services.

1.2 Council departments are provided with opportunities to contribute to community development initiatives.

1.3 Mechanisms for open and ongoing consultation and feedback from constituents and internal council staff are established and maintained.

1.4 Links with businesses, interest and user groups and other appropriate partners within the municipality are established and developed to ensure services are planned and implemented in an integrated way.

2. Determine existing and emerging community needs

2.1 Research and community consultation are undertaken to determine current and future community needs.

2.2 Mechanisms for open and ongoing consultation and feedback from constituents and internal council staff are established and maintained.

2.3 Ongoing engagement of constituents and other community members is encouraged, in order to determine emerging community directions.

2.4 Existing and future needs of the community are identified and evaluated to use in forecasting future requirements in services and facilities.

2.5 Council capacity to provide resources that meet community needs is evaluated.

3. Develop community development strategies

3.1 Goals and objectives of community development initiatives are identified.

3.2 Community development strategies are developed in consultation with council, department heads, community groups and stakeholders.

3.3 Council plans and strategies for community development are communicated appropriately to ensure integration within the corporate policy agenda, department operational business plans and budgets.

3.4 Policies are formulated to support the development of optimal community development projects.

3.5 Funding requirements to support strategies are calculated and applied for through appropriate channels.

3.6 External funding opportunities are identified and pursued.

3.7 Key performance indicators (KPIs), operating standards and goals for community development are determined and monitored.

4. Implement community development strategies

4.1 Development strategies are maximised by pursuing best practice in all stages of implementation.

4.2 Reporting mechanisms are established to ensure ongoing tracking and accountability for projects are achieved.

4.3 Financial resources and funding for community development projects are negotiated and coordinated in a timely and efficient manner to ensure full implementation of strategies.

4.4 Service agreements and contracts relating to personnel, are negotiated and arranged in compliance with equal employment opportunity (EEO) and other relevant employment legislative requirements.

4.5 Use of allocated financial resources is managed and monitored to ensure strategies are implemented within budgetary constraints.

4.6 Ongoing review and monitoring of community development projects are conducted to ensure goals and best practice objectives are met and opportunities for improvement are identified.

4.7 Projects and services are designed and delivered to ensure appropriate access by all relevant members of the community.

4.8 Effective marketing strategy is developed or requested in order to promote community development strategies to the community.

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

Required Skills

high-level communication skills, including the capacity to engage community members in planning processes and negotiate successful and mutually satisfactory outcomes

high-level research and analytical skills in relation to management accounting and finance

application of decision-making strategies to a range of business scenarios

strategic and operational planning

reporting

Required Knowledge

local government framework (policies and practices) for engaging communities, including key stakeholders

operational capacity and resourcing of the council to support development project

human, economic, social, environmental and physical resource capacity of the community

available external funding sources to provide potential support for community projects

Overview of assessment requirements

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit will be able to perform the outcomes described in the elements to the required performance level detailed in the performance criteria. The unit's skill and knowledge requirements must also be demonstrated. The candidate will demonstrate the capacity to manage a community development project, including consulting with stakeholders, analysing resource requirements and planning and implementing the project.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

The demonstrated ability to:

develop, engage and lead a range of community groups within a local government context

conduct appropriate research and consultation

develop and implement a community development strategy in local government

Context of assessment

Assessment of performance requirements in this unit should be undertaken with the context of the local government framework. Competency is demonstrated by performance of all stated criteria, including the range of variables applicable to the workplace environment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

preparation of a major workplace project report/portfolio (that may incorporate assessment of related units) as a key form of assessment that enables candidates to integrate the learning and assessment project into their regular work responsibilities, which enables integrated and holistic assessment of the complex skills and knowledge addressed in this unit

observation of the learner performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies

written and oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

completion of workplace documentation

third-party reports from experienced practitioner

completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from trainer, coach or supervisor

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated management environments.

Resource implications

Access to a workplace or simulated case study that provides the following resources:

relevant council documents, such as strategic and operational plans

relevant local government legislation and regulations

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Consultation processes:

will be diverse and tailored to the needs of the program or situation

must be two-way and involve active listening as well as communication of council position

must be open and transparent

Research into community needs may take the form of:

surveys

feedback questionnaires

analysis of statistical data

analysis of trends in population growth changes, and building and planning permits issued

direct contact with existing community groups and industry representatives

regular forums with internal and external stakeholders and/or special interest groups

establishing standing committees or working groups

listening and responding to constituent complaints

citizen panels or advisory groups

Resources may include:

human resources

services

facilities

funding

council staff skills and competencies

Community development may be in areas of:

community health

drug action and awareness

community safety

youth services

libraries and education facilities

social support facilities

sports and recreational services

senior citizens groups and services

volunteer training programs

transport and access