NWP530B
Implement and manage the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to cover the activities associated with the implementation and management of the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems, including system performance analysis, customer liaison and planning.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for managers in water organisations with responsibility for the implementation of irrigation system management plans.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Implement the irrigation system management plan.

1.1 Confirm performance measures for the irrigationsystem management plan.

1.2 Access and interpret historic system information to inform the implementation process.

1.3 Inform and educate stakeholders about the system management plan.

1.4 Develop management plan components and activities for implementation.

1.5 Develop the implementation plan in conformance with legislation, organisational and environmental requirements.

1.6 Determine responsibilities and timelines for the implementation activities.

2 Monitor and evaluate the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system.

2.1 Plan, perform and report on monitoring and testing procedures to identify deviations of planned water system quantity, quality, release and flow rates.

2.2 Evaluate delivery of water to customers (timeliness, volume and flow rates) and identify, investigate and report deviations from agreed service.

2.3 Evaluate maintenance budgets, activity programs and output target measures and identify, investigate and report deviations from targets.

2.4 Identify and document links between operational problems and maintenance activities.

3 Report on the implementation of the irrigation system management plan.

3.1 Identify, investigate and report deviations of planned water usage, quality and management plan procedures.

3.2 Review objectives of the management and implementation plans.

3.3 Make recommendations for changes to plan objectives and operational and maintenance procedures.

Required Skills

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

Required skills:

communicate effectively

plan effectively

prepare reports

interpret and apply legislation

interpret and apply organisational policies

use mathematical techniques to interpret data

coordinate measuring and testing activities

conduct investigations

assess environmental impacts

Required knowledge:

relevant legislation

relevant enterprise policies

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

customer expectations and requirements

operations and maintenance policies and procedures

occupational health and safety and environmental legislation, Acts and procedures

Evidence Required

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 cover the activities associated with the implementation and management of the operation and maintenance of irrigation delivery systems including:

gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and the results of irrigation system testing and monitoring) to underpin the implementation of the irrigation management plan

planning and implementing testing processes and programs

monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the irrigation system management plan

providing advice and communicating with stakeholders and users

preparing reports and recommendations for future action

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/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 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 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.


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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

The irrigation system management plan may include:

service levels

capital investment

maintenance levels

Historic system information may include:

previous studies

impact of weather

relevant hydrometric information

previous system deliveries

previous flow rates and operational procedures

Stakeholders may include:

customers

government

farmer and grower associations

downstream land holders

other water authorities

employees

customer representative committees

land care or similar active groups

local communities

Legislation may include:

relevant federal legislation

relevant state or territory legislation

relevant local government by-laws or planning instruments

board or authority by-laws

Environmental requirements may include:

environmental flows

chemicals

nutrients

salinity

downstream requirements

Monitoring and testing may include:

timeliness of deliveries

flow

input and output quality

testing procedures

frequency

sampling locations

budgets

physical achievement targets

operational procedures

number of complaints


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Collection and distribution.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.