Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to organise field services. It requires the ability to lead and work with others on site to perform key organisational requirements, working from site drawings and specifications. Functions would be carried out under limited supervision and within organisational guidelines.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the application of communication, interpersonal, teamwork, technological and leadership skills. The skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this unit would apply to the needs of employees in supporting positions for surveying, cartography, mapping and geographic information systems.

While no licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply holistically to this unit at the time of publication, relevant federal, and state or territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice impact upon this unit (see unit performance criteria and range statement).

Prerequisite units 

Nil

Employability skills 

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Plan and prepare for field services .

1.1 Project objectives, principal work activities  and constraints  are defined and documented according to the written spatial data  specifications and client  requirements.

1.2 Information on identified risks, contingencies , risk management processes  and resources is included in the plan.

1.3 Requirements of the job are clarified with relevant personnel  according to organisational guidelines .

1.4 Work is allocated to appropriate personnel and supervisory processes , checks and measures are implemented to ensure work is completed within time available .

1.5 Tools, equipment and supplies  appropriate to the environment are selected and prepared according to specifications .

1.6 Safety requirements for the protection of site personnel, the public and the environment are determined.

1.7 Plans are examined to determine the location of services.

1.8 Personal protective equipment  is used according to OHS  guidelines.

1.9 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in equipment and operations.

2 Execute field tasks .

2.1 Barricades, protective works and signs are erected as required and according to organisational guidelines.

2.2 Surface positions are determined and marked according to accepted standards , using information available from relevant personnel, site drawings and references.

2.3 Direction is provided for field tasks  to be carried out according to specifications.

2.4 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in equipment and operating procedures.

3 Finalise the task .

3.1 Site is restored as near as practicable to original condition.

3.2 Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored in a secure location.

3.3 All required spatial business documentation  is completed accurately, promptly and according to organisational guidelines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills :

• ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• ability to select and use appropriate tools
• communication skills to:

• discuss vocational issues effectively with colleagues
• impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means

• first aid
• interpersonal skills e.g. cooperation and flexibility
• literacy skills to:

• assess and use workplace information
• interpret and understand legal, financial and procedural requirements
• process workplace documentation
• read, record data and write technical reports
• research and access routine sources of spatial data

• negotiation skills
• numeracy skills to:

• accurately record and correct inaccuracies
• analyse errors
• record and interpret statistics
• undertake computations

• organisational skills to:

• prepare and administer documentation
• prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements and immediate field needs

• spatial skills to:

• solve basic problems relating to height, depth, breadth, dimension, direction and position in actual operational activity and virtual representation
• understand implications of height, depth, breadth, dimension and position to actual operational activity and virtual representation

• team leadership
• time management skills.

Required knowledge and understanding :

• abilities of work teams
• accuracy and precision requirements
• equipment requirements
• industry ethics and practices
• legislative, statutory and industry requirements and standards
• limitations of the guidelines relating to equipment, measuring and analysis
• organisational policies and guidelines, such as OHS guidelines
• planning and control processes
• project review procedures
• safe work practices
• spatial data measuring and recording
• understanding and application of relevant engineering-related tasks and associated computations
• work allocation procedures.

Overview of assessment 

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example unit CPPSIS4008A Organise equipment and supplies.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

• carrying out field services
• demonstrating critical aspects of working safely
• determining and marking positions
• leading teams
• managing basic risks
• understanding spatial project deliverables.

Specific resources for assessment 

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

• assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book
• assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements
• registered training provider of assessment services
• relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice
• suitable venue and equipment.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Context of assessment 

Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.

Method of assessment 

Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).

Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment requires that the clients' objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients' objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of spatial information services requirements to assess competency.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.

Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Principal work activities  may include:

• activities and sequence of activities determined to be essential in order to meet project objectives.

Constraints  may include:

• coverage
• datum
• environmental factors
• financial
• industry requirements
• legal and statutory
• resource availability
• time.

Spatial data  may:

• include data from:

• echo sounder
• global positioning system
• level
• photogrammetry
• remote sensing
• total station

• relate to:

• depth
• dimension
• direction
• height
• position.

Clients  may include:

• customers with routine or special requests
• external to organisation
• internal to organisation
• regular and new customers, including:

• business enterprises
• government agencies
• members of the public
• suppliers.

Contingencies  may include:

• equipment failure
• injury to personnel
• personnel changes
• observation errors
• obstructions to project plan
• weather.

Risk management processes  may include:

• contingency planning
• guidelines for the selection of contractors
• effective communication and consultation
• effective planning, including such things as:

• budget control
• anticipating external influences
• realistic timelines
• targeted activity

• effective project management
• internal and external audit processes
• milestone review and evaluation.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• colleagues
• staff or employee representatives
• supervisors or line managers
• suppliers
• users.

Organisational guidelines  may include:

• code of ethics
• company guidelines
• legislation relevant to the work or service function, including equal employment opportunity (EEO)
• manuals
• OHS policies and procedures
• personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles and responsibilities.

Supervisory processes  may include:

• delegating
• implementing
• monitoring
• overseeing
• planning
• reviewing
• targeting.

Time available  may involve estimates for time duration of project, including:

• client instructions
• consideration of contingencies
• consideration of past project experiences
• experience of project personnel
• location of project
• methods to be employed
• resources and equipment to be used.

Equipment and supplies  may include:

• data recording equipment
• measuring instruments
• personal computer-based digitising boards
• tools
• vehicles.

Specifications  may include:

• budget
• data capture methods
• personnel required
• resources needed
• project deliverables
• timelines.

Personal protective equipment  may include:

• breathing apparatus
• gloves
• helmets
• overalls
• masks and respirators
• safety boots
• safety glasses

• safety vests
• sun protection equipment.

OHS  may include:

• Australian standards
• development of site safety plan
• identification of potential hazards
• inspection of work sites
• training staff in OHS requirements
• use of equipment and signage.

Accepted standards  may include:

• Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recommendations
• state, territory and federal legislative requirements
• manufacturer instructions and specifications
• OHS standards
• organisational guidelines
• relevant industry codes of practice.

Field tasks  may include:

• maintaining equipment
• identifying, determining and marking positions
• obtaining supplies
• recording data
• driving.

Spatial business documentation  may include:

• databases
• detailed technical description of the spatial data and its qualifiers
• emails
• faxes
• quotations and estimates
• standard letters
• statements
• tax invoices.

Unit sector 

Spatial information services