This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for assistant hydrographers, field hydrologists and water operators responsible for reporting water quality, volume and flow in water systems. This unit is part of the skills set for hydrography and is suitable for entry level and working under the supervision of a senior hydrographer.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan the installation of hydrometric instruments and equipment

1.1 Analyse the purpose and suitability of hydrometric instruments and equipment required for the site and its conditions.

1.2 Ensure that the manufacturers' specifications are applied.

1.3 Confirm organisational procedures for installing the instruments and equipment and reflect these in the plan of installation task schedules.

1.4 Prepare relevant equipment, logistical requirements, authorisations and documentation required for the installation.

2Install hydrometric instruments, equipment and systems

2.1 Assemble, prepare and test assignmentinstruments and equipment prior to transportation to the site to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

2.2 Install assignment instruments and equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications, organisational standards and safe work practices.

2.3 Conduct installation tests in accordance with standard operating procedures to ensure the correct operation of instruments and equipment.

2.4 Complete records and commissioning of the installation process in accordance with organisational procedures.

3Test and maintain hydrometric instruments, equipment and systems

3.1 Test assignment instruments and equipment in accordance with organisational, industry standards and client requirements.

3.2 Make and test adjustments to comply with the required tolerances.

3.3 Report errors or deviations from the appropriate range or tolerance levels in accordance with organisational and industry standards.

3.4 Maintain test records in accordance with organisational requirements.

3.5 Complete routine maintenance in accordance with organisational requirements and maintenance schedules.

3.6 Store and protect instruments and equipment in accordance with organisational and manufacturers' requirements.

4Operate hydrometric monitoring equipment

4.1 Use monitoring equipment to collect data required by assignment plan and purpose.

4.2 Make calculations and adjustments according to the requirements of the site and equipment.

4.3 Check the accuracy and reliability of readings and confirm or adjust calibrations.

5Report processes and outcomes

5.1 Compile reports and data according to organisational requirements and monitoring plan.

5.2 Identify potential and current problems proactively and take corrective action or report to relevant agents.

5.3 Identify indicators of urgency and high risk for priority response.

Required skills:

interpret and apply technical documentation to the installation and maintenance of instruments and equipment

apply mechanical skills to the effective installation and maintenance of instruments and equipment

apply electrical/electronic skills to the effective installation and maintenance of instruments and equipment

apply computer systems and system analysis equipment and tools to conduct in situ calibration and commissioning of monitoring equipment and systems

use required work practices to minimise environmental impact of the installation process

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment appropriately

use hand and power tools and other relevant equipment effectively and safely

identify and respond to potential or actual operational problems

conduct inspections

produce reports

collect and analyse data

read and interpret plans, specifications, maps and job instructions

communicate with employees and customers using clear and direct communication

use communication systems

give and receive instructions

apply skills specific to the industry and for working safely in remote locations including:

remote area survival

water safety

high voltage work environment.

Required knowledge:

mathematical and scientific principles appropriate to the work role

operating parameters, processes and capacity limitations of hydrometric instruments and equipment

electrical/electronic systems operating principles

risk factors and potential hazards involved with installing and monitoring instruments and equipment

effects of weather and conditions on operation of hydrometric instruments and equipment

computer based instrument/system analysis software and packages

occupational health and safety procedures

policies and standard operating procedures

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

standards relevant to the installation tasks including:

AS 3778 for water measurement installations

World Meteorological Organisation / Bureau of Meteorology guidelines for siting of meteorological sensors and systems

application of best practice methodology where standards not applicable or available.

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.

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

The candidate should demonstrate, in accordance with standard organisational and industry procedures, the ability to install, operate and maintain hydrometric instruments and equipment in sound order and to organisational standards including:

interpreting and applying complex technical information and applications related to the installation and maintenance of a range of hydrometric instruments and equipment

conducting accurate and reliable tests of a range of hydrometric instruments and equipment and make adjustments to maintain accuracy

installing and maintaining a range of hydrometric instruments and equipment in a range of sites and conditions and under conditions of extreme weather and high risk

analysing risks in a range of locations and conditions and working safely in routine and extreme conditions

identifying, reporting and solving potential and current problems, and taking immediate action to address high risk conditions.

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

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

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/or 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 require 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 should only be made 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting 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. 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.

Hydrometric instruments and equipment may include:

sensors

transducers

samplers

data loggers

telemetry

power supplies

float wells

weirs and flumes

gauge boards.

Documentation may include:

job specifications and work plans

maps and plans

survey data

notice of entry procedures

quarantine procedures

mines regulations

organisational procedures and manuals

instrument and systems manufacturers' manuals

standards relevant to the installation tasks including:

AS 3778 for water measurement installations

World Meteorological Organisation / Bureau of Meteorology guidelines for siting of meteorological sensors and systems

documentation of best practice methodology where standards not applicable or available

Assignment instruments and equipment may include:

personal protective equipment

hand and power tools

portable power supplies

computer equipment

pumping equipment

test equipment

communications equipment

signage

4WD vehicles

surveying equipment:

pegs

staffs

levels

GPS

electronic data management systems

water velocity measurement devices:

mechanical current meters

acoustic-Doppler current meters and profilers.

Organisational standards and safe work practices may include reference to:

by-laws and organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection standards and requirements

occupational health and safety standards and requirements, including use of personal protective equipment

safe handling of hazardous substances

appropriate use of road and worksite signage

survey of sections

procedures for discharge measurement in open channels using mechanical current meters:

waded gaugings

flood gaugings by cableways

travellers or boats

procedures for discharge measurement in open channels using:

acoustic-Doppler current meters or profilers waded gaugings

flood gaugings by staffed cableway

unstaffed traveller waybridge or boat.

Routine maintenance may include:

using appropriate cleaning agents and materials to remove surface dirt and contaminants

applying lubricants in accordance with work instructions and manufacturers' specifications

performing annual or other routine and scheduled inspections of physical surroundings of the monitoring installation to identify external impacts (adverse or otherwise) on data quality and monitoring system performance

performing preventative maintenance management systems

maintaining instrument/system management databases and record systems to assist with planning outages or alternative monitoring systems

replacing components in accordance with work instructions and manufacturers' specifications

conducting minor repairs

conducting calibrations

conducting appropriate vegetation management in gauging sections, around meteorological monitoring sites to maintain constant environmental factors affecting the monitoring site.

Store and protect instruments by a range of processes including:

stowing instruments and equipment securely and in appropriate containers for storage and transport

protecting instruments and equipment, as appropriate, from extremes of:

heat

moisture

electromagnetic radiation

shock

vibration.

Hydrography

This unit contains employability skills.