This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for managers and senior technical practitioners from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds who are applying their skills to the management of a function, team or division within the water organisation. The unit has particular application for new entrants to the industry who have higher education qualifications but who do not have relevant industry experience.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Analyse structure and challenges of the water industry.

1.1 Review and analyse structure, size, diversity and role of the water industry in Australia.

1.2 Review legislative requirements underpinning operations of water organisation and analyse their application.

1.3 Review and analyse major and strategic factors that impinge on organisation's capacity to meet community's current and future water supply needs.

2Analyse structure and service delivery of the organisation.

2.1 Review and analyse organisational structure, plans, services, and service charter of organisation.

2.2 Review and analyse infrastructure and systems used to deliver services.

2.3 Review current and projected performance of organisation and its service delivery against relevant plans and performance indicators.

2.4 Identify, document and communicate relevant opportunities for improvement to service delivery.

3Plan for environmental sustainability.

3.1 Review and assess strategic factors that impinge on development and application of environmentally sustainable practices.

3.2 Review and assess organisation's relevant environmental management policies and objectives.

3.3 Review and audit effectiveness of current environmental processes and practices against organisation's environmental management plans.

3.4 Identify, document and communicate opportunities to improve environmental policies and practices.

4Improve policies, plans and processes.

4.1 Review and analyse policies, plans and processes within own scope of authority.

4.2 Review opportunities to improve policies, plans and processes in consultation with relevant personnel.

4.3 Document and communicate recommendations and outcome of review of policies, plans and processes.

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

Required skills:

interpret, analyse and review complex policy and industry documentation

interpret, analyse and apply relevant legislative requirements

apply analytical skills to review of policies, plans and procedures

consult and communicate with internal and external groups and individuals

retrieve and evaluate information

communicate effectively

prepare reports

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

solve problems.

Required knowledge:

the structure of the water industry, networks, relationships, stakeholders and interests

the economic, environmental, social and political issues and trends influencing the water and allied industries

organisational structure, policies, strategic plans, and operating procedures

organisational contracts, services, assets and infrastructure

principles and methods for reviewing, auditing and monitoring organisational and system performance

relevant legislative and licensing requirements and their implementation issues and accountability.

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 combine a detailed understanding and analysis of the water industry with existing in-depth technical skills to optimise personal contribution to the water organisation including:

researching industry structure, size and trends

reviewing and critically evaluating industry and organisational data to form evidence-based assessments and decisions

conducting reviews of current policies, plans and processes to deliver improved outcomes

preparing reports and communicating outcomes effectively to other organisational leaders.

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 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 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.

Legislative requirements may include:

relevant federal and state or territory legislation

relevant local government by-laws

relevant government and non-government policies and regulations

relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements.

Environmentally sustainable practices may include:

minimising factors that contribute to environmental degradation

directly or indirectly minimising production of greenhouse gases

other contributing factors, including:

minimisation of waste materials

correct use of enterprise vehicles and machinery

re-use or recycling of trade materials where possible

overall reduction of energy usage through general awareness

use of appropriate technologies

licensing agreements

proper disposal of waste materials

restriction of burning off

correct handling of toxic substances

containment of chlorofluorocarbons and other hazardous substances.

Leadership

This unit of competency contains employability skills.