RIICCR401A
Develop and maintain positive community relations

This unit covers the development and maintenance of positive community relations in the resources and infrastructure industries. It includes establishing community relationship strategies, developing and maintaining community relationships, representing the organisation in the community, and maintaining and improving ongoing community relationships. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

Application

This unit is appropriate for those working in a supervisory role or as a technical specialist, at worksites within:

Civil construction

Coal mining

Drilling

Extractive industries

Metalliferous mining


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Establish community relationship strategies

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the community relationship strategies

1.2. Identify relevant community groups and individuals

1.3. Assess community group/individual profiles to determine community relationship strategy

1.4. Identify and analyse a range of community relationship strategies and activities which meet organisational requirements

1.5. Develop relationship strategies to foster trust and confidence of individuals and community and to promote benefits consistent with organisational interests and requirements

2. Develop and maintain community relationships

2.1. Use appropriate networking strategies and activities to establish and maintain community relationships

2.2. Identify and pursue networking opportunities to maximise a range of community contacts

2.3. Provide information to the community regarding new networks

2.4. Inform individuals and colleagues of potential benefits to the organisation by participating in networks

2.5. Participate in professional networks and associations to obtain and maintain knowledge of the community, its representatives and issues

2.6. Respond to community requests for information or participation in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.7. Act on opportunities to explain and promote the organisation's activities to develop and support community recognition

2.8. Refer non-routine requests for information to the appropriate person

3. Represent the organisation in the community

3.1. Represent the organisation's position on particular issues in a way that acknowledges community concerns and promotes community awareness

3.2. Enhance the organisation's public image through communication and presentations to the public

3.3. Use appropriate presentation skills to communicate the goals and objectives of the organisation

3.4. Effectively communicate issues, policies and practices of the community group, individuals or organisation

3.5. Obtain feedback to identify and develop ongoing activities

4. Maintain and improve ongoing community relationships

4.1. Establish processes for obtaining ongoing feedback from community groups or individuals

4.2. Assess management systems to ensure they support community relationships

4.3. Obtain and use feedback to develop and implement strategies to maintain and improve relationships with the community

4.4. Identify difficult situations and negotiate solutions using collaborative problem-solving techniques

Required Skills

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out or possess the following as required to develop and maintain positive community relations:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for development and maintenance of positive community relations

communication skills to liaise effectively with a variety of stakeholders

literacy skills to produce high quality easy to understand written communications

presentation skills to convey verbal messages effectively

networking skills to form relationships with a variety of stakeholders

organisational and time management skills to plan and manage own work priorities and community relations activities

evaluation and problem solving skills to select appropriate community relationship strategies and overcome difficulties arising from community relations

interpersonal skills to relate to people from diverse groups and abilities

technology skills relevant to conducting community relations activities

leadership skills to provide direction and guidance in developing community relationships

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to develop and maintain positive community relations:

availability of organisation's and/or industry information and/or promotional material

legislative responsibilities relevant to provision of information

organisation's position on current issues

range of community issues and organisations

range of community activities that could be used to promote the organisation

knowledge of the organisation's policies, plans and procedures

principles of effective communication in relation to listening, questioning and non-verbal communication

techniques for building relationships of trust with people including people from different cultures

methods and techniques to prepare and present information to promote the organisation

knowledge of related organisations, agencies and networks

principles and operation of networks

risks insurance and site staff briefing requirement for site visits

recording procedures

Evidence Required

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.

Overview of assessment

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for developing and maintaining positive community relations

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of development and maintenance of positive community relations

working with others to plan, prepare and conduct positive community relations

evidence of consistent successful positive community relations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment should sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

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.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the development and maintenance of positive community relations

provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the conduct of the development and maintenance of positive community relations

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.


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. 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.

Compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Community may include:

local community

business community

persons with a range of ages

persons from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

persons with disabilities

Relationship strategies may include:

informal and formal regular meetings

forums

feedback sessions

online media

events, including cultural events

sponsorship

Networking strategies may include:

regular meetings

distribution of materials

individual marketing

maintaining regular contacts

association and interest group memberships

workshops and seminars

Activities may include:

career promotions

local shows

ceremonies

organisation specific events and regular state/national events

shopping mall promotions

Information may include:

how to participate

publicity material

contact information

Professional networks and associations may include:

work teams

other organisations

committees

internal and external stakeholders

government agencies

professional or occupational associations

community groups

project-specific ad hoc consultative or reference groups

advisory committees

local inter-agency groups

specific interest or support groups

Opportunities to explain and promote include:

answering general enquiries

addressing negative community opinion

presentations at community group gatherings

special interest forums

community events and festivals

participation in conferences

representing organisation on associations and committees

school visits

media (where media access is permitted), including:

advertising

news articles

Feedback may include:

accuracy and sufficiency of information

benefits to the organisation

benefits to the community

use of media

liaison with networks

appropriateness of audience

participation of individuals and groups


Sectors

Customer and Community Relations


Competency Field

Refer to Unit Sector(s).


Co-Requisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor.