Application
This unit describes the skills required for the management of groundwater as a resource to be used for water supply.
This unit applies to those working as managers in water organisations with responsibility for the development and review of groundwater resources.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously, managing staff, while performing sophisticated tasks in a range of familiar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for groundwater management | 1.1 Gather historical groundwater information and evaluate as input to the planning process. 1.2 Identify, interpret and assess water quality and quantity requirements. 1.3 Identify and interpret environmental and development factors that impact on groundwater. |
2. Develop the groundwater management plan | 2.1 Identify and interpret groundwater management requirements. 2.2 Identify, interpret and validate stakeholder requirements that impact on groundwater. 2.3 Develop a groundwater management plan. 2.4 Identify, investigate and report breaches of usage provisions and changes to quality parameters. |
3. Review and refine the groundwater management plan | 3.1 Assess data from the ongoing implementation and monitoring of the groundwater management plan and use to inform the review of the plan. 3.2 Review objectives of the management and implementation plans. 3.3 Make recommendations for changes to objectives and implementation procedures. 3.4 Provide advice and guidance to groundwater users and other stakeholders. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
managing groundwater as a resource to be used for water supply
reading and interpreting numerical data to inform groundwater management plan
gathering, interpreting and synthesising information to underpin the sound development of the groundwater management plan, including:
historical data
current legislation and standards
stakeholder views
water quality test results
consulting stakeholders
developing effective groundwater management plans that address the water organisation’s objectives and requirements
using data from testing and other monitoring arrangements to track the performance of the groundwater management plan and inform the review of the plan
preparing reports and recommendations for changes to the objectives of the management plan and its implementation
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
relevant legislation, policies and procedures
risk management principles
groundwater hydraulics
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Irrigation