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

1Access and interpret relevant code and standard requirements.

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

1.2 Review industry codes and standards relevant to performance of specific job role and analyse their application.

1.3 Review and critically evaluate current processes for monitoring performance against legislation, codes and standards.

2Manage compliance and reporting functions.

2.1 Review organisational standards and processes for reporting compliance with legislative requirements.

2.2 Identify, document and apply opportunities for improvement of reporting processes.

2.3 Collect and collate data to support preparation of required reports and compliance information and review data for completeness and accuracy.

2.4 Complete reporting processes according to organisational standards and legislative requirements.

2.5 Monitor and report costs and resource implications of operating compliance and reporting functions.

3Communicate compliance and reporting information to team members.

3.1 Communicate policies, plans and processes required to ensure proper application of legislation, codes and standards underpinning operation of division or team.

3.2 Review and put in place steps to monitor compliance and reporting functions.

3.3 Take corrective action to meet identified areas of non-compliance, communicate to team members and report according to legislative and organisational requirements.

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

Required skills:

interpret, analyse, review and apply complex industry codes and standards

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 with a wide range of audiences inside and outside the workplace

prepare complex reports

solve a wide range of complex 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

current processes for monitoring performance against legislation, codes and standards

reporting processes according to organisational standards and legislative requirements

risk management principles and strategies and the management of non-compliance

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 interpret and apply the legislation, codes and standards that underpin the operation of water organisations including:

researching, interpreting and applying relevant legislative requirements and industry codes and standards

reviewing and critically evaluating organisational compliance and reporting processes

critically evaluating and validating data used in compilation of compliance and other reporting processes

managing and reviewing compliance and reporting processes

conducting reviews of current policies and processes to deliver improved outcomes

preparing reports and communicating outcomes effectively to staff members and 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 legislation, including:

National Water Commission Act 2004

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

relevant state or territory legislation relating to water and resource management

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to OHS, including:

protective clothing and equipment

use of tools and equipment

workplace environment and safety

handling of materials

use of fire fighting equipment

use of first aid equipment

hazard control and hazardous materials and substances

relevant local government by-laws

relevant government and non-government policies and regulations, such as:

National Water Initiative

Murray Darling Basin Water Agreement

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

Industry codes and standards may include:

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

water supply code of Australia

sewerage pumping state code of Australia

sewerage code of Australia

relevant Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS)

international standards (ISO).

Leadership

This unit of competency contains employability skills.