This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field staff with specific responsibility for inspecting catchments and surrounding areas and contributing to catchment management and control.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Inspect and monitor catchment and surrounding areas.

1.1 Identify and apply work requirements for undertaking inspections of catchments and surrounding areas.

1.2 Inspect and monitor designated locations according to agreed schedule and procedures.

1.3 Provide reports identifying maintenance tasks required to ensure that facilities meet required standards to relevant personnel using standard organisational procedures.

2Report catchment conditions.

2.1 Measure and record catchment inflows and outflows or extractions.

2.2 Identify organisation standards for the condition and maintenance of catchment environment.

2.3 Identify and report changes to environmental conditions.

3Assist in investigating hazards, risks and catchment security.

3.1 Identify and report activities within catchment that pose a hazard or risk to the public, water quality or the environment according to organisational guidelines.

3.2 Identify and report activities of external parties within the catchment and surrounding area that breach organisational guidelines.

3.3 Check and confirm public complaints and report to relevant personnel.

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

Required skills:

undertake inspections of catchment and surrounds

identify and respond to operational problems

use communication systems

provide basic verbal or written reports

follow plans and instructions

follow procedures and standards

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

communicate with customers and other employees

work effectively as part of a team

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

follow organisational reporting procedures.

Required knowledge:

environmental, landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards of surface water systems

catchment emergency response procedures

catchment security procedures

operation of communication systems

customer service

effects of weather and conditions on operation of catchment area

relevant utilities and service bodies

equipment operation

Water Act and statutory legislation governing typical or routine catchment activities.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to inspect and report on surface catchment areas and associated rivers, lakes, water bodies, dams, water storages and groundwater areas to identify potential risks to water quality, the environment and the public including:

interpreting work requirements and inspecting specific catchment locations

monitoring and reporting environmental conditions

investigating breaches and complaints

compiling reports

contributing to catchment security procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

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

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

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any 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.

Inspections of catchments and surrounding areas may require:

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and general public

visual observation

implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements

bushcraft

eradication of feral animals and noxious plants

identification of declared flora

fire suppression procedures

knowledge of system layout

use of gauging stations, telemarkers or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Changes to environmental conditions may include:

weed infestations

erosion or bank stability

blue green algae outbreaks

dead stock

storm debris affecting waterways.

Collection and distribution

This unit of competency contains employability skills.