Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to capture new data using a variety of methods. It requires the ability to plan and execute the data capture process in a supervisory capacity, incorporating technical problems and management requirements and applying appropriate solutions to a range of data collection situations. Functions would be carried out within organisational guidelines.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the application of theoretical and practical analysis; organisational, team leadership and sound problem-solving skills; the ability to demonstrate initiative and enterprise; and a sound understanding of technology. The skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this unit would support the needs of employees in surveying, cartography, town planning, mapping or geographic information systems.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements may impact on this unit. Incorporate these requirements according to state, territory and federal legislation.

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 Prepare for data collection .

1.1 Key activities and timelines are scheduled with full consideration given to specification, available resources and organisational requirements.

1.2 Administrative and legal requirements  for data collection are complied with and recorded.

1.3 Appropriate persons or relevant personnel  are informed about the project.

1.4 Equipment , supplies and spatial information services  (SIS ) technologies  are selected according to the task requirements.

1.5 Designated responsibilities are communicated to staff to ensure clarity of understanding of the work and provide a basis for ongoing assessment.

1.6 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in data capture techniques.

2 Gather data .

2.1 Equipment is operated according to manufacturer specifications , and statutory and organisational guidelines.

2.2 Entities  are related to a reference system  based on the specifications.

2.3 Data and attributes  are collected using methodologies detailed in the data capture methodology .

2.4 Metadata  is documented according to accepted industry standards.

2.5 Any discrepancies between specifications and actual activities are identified, recorded and reported.

2.6 Administrative and legal requirements for data collection are complied with and recorded.

2.7 Guidance is given to staff assisting in the data collection process.

2.8 OHS requirements  are planned for and adhered to.

3 Use equipment .

3.1 Appropriate equipment is selected.

3.2 Equipment is operated according to the task requirements and manufacturer specifications.

3.3 All safety requirements are adhered to.

4 Maintain equipment .

4.1 Operational maintenance  of equipment is undertaken according to organisational guidelines.

4.2 Contingencies  that may affect equipment usage are reported.

4.3 Unsafe or faulty equipment is reported and referred for repair.

4.4 Tools and equipment are stored safely in appropriate locations and according to manufacturer specifications.

5 Finalise the collection process .

5.1 Attributes and topological structures  are added to spatial data according to specifications.

5.2 All data is recorded correctly and required documentation  is completed according to specifications and organisational requirements.

5.3 All data and documentation are stored according to organisational requirements.

5.4 Data integrity is checked according to the validation plan.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills :

• ability to analyse theory, concepts and statistics (high level)
• ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• change management
• communication skills to:

• consult effectively with clients and colleagues
• impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means
• provide customer service

• computer skills (high technical user level) to complete business documentation
• functional application of data capture techniques
• literacy skills to:

• assess and use workplace information
• locate and interpret legislation and other written documentation
• prepare and manage documentation
• read and write technical reports
• research and evaluate

• negotiation skills
• numeracy skills to:

• analyse errors
• conduct image analysis
• perform mental calculations
• interpret and analyse statistics
• record with accuracy and precision
• undertake computations

• organisational skills to:

• coordinate technical and human resource inputs to research activities
• prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

• planning
• project management skills
• spatial skills to:

• display proficiency in the operation of spatial data capture equipment
• exercise precision and accuracy in relation to spatial and aspatial data acquisition and the use of electronic equipment
• perform spatial data archival and retrieval and train others in this task
• perform spatial data management and manipulation and train others in this task
• perform file management and train others in this task
• solve 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
• work effectively as part of a team.

Required knowledge and understanding :

• characteristics, capabilities and limitations of tools, technology and equipment used
• customer relations guidelines
• data collection methods using electronic equipment
• information management
• legislation as it applies to the spatial industry sector
• OHS requirements
• organisational policies and guidelines
• performance evaluation
• process improvement methods
• quality assurance principles
• quality improvement tools
• reference systems and their relationship to each other
• relevant federal, state and local government laws which are applicable to the spatial data capture methodology used
• risk assessment principles
• safe work practices
• spatial data formats, handling and structure
• spatial information principles and their application
• SIS project contingencies
• spatial technologies.

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 units CPPSIS5001A Plan spatial data collection and validation, CPPSIS5005A Obtain and validate existing spatial data, CPPSIS5006A Integrate spatial datasets, CPPSIS5007A Maintain complex spatial data systems, and CPPSIS5008A Develop a complex spatial and aspatial database.

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:

• applying a defined range of skills
• applying known solutions to a range of problems
• assessing and recording information from varied sources
• demonstrating operational knowledge in relevant data capture and validation methodologies
• performing a range of tasks where choice between a range of options is required
• taking responsibility for own and team outputs in work and learning.

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, which 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 SIS 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.

Administrative and legal requirements  may include:

• access protocols and obligations
• Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
• award and enterprise agreements
• company OHS guidelines
• licensing arrangements
• organisational protocols for accessing physical, financial and human resources
• reimbursements
• Indigenous considerations
• relevant codes of practice
• relevant state, territory or federal legislation that affects organisational operations, including:

• anti-discrimination and diversity
• copyright and digital copyright
• equal employment opportunity (EEO)
• industrial relations

• royalty obligations
• title search processes.

Appropriate persons or relevant personnel  may include:

• administrative staff
• assessors
• colleagues
• contractors
• field survey staff
• land occupiers
• land owners
• managers
• supervisors

• technicians
• trainers.

Equipment , supplies and SIS technologies  may include:

• data logger or other mobile computing device
• data recording equipment
• digital imagery
• electronic theodolites
• handheld global positioning system (GPS)
• levels
• maps (digital or hard copy)
• measuring instruments
• non-navigational aids relevant to duties, including:

• compass
• clinometer
• distance measuring wheel

• personal digital assistant
• personal computer-based digitising boards
• sonar
• tide gauge
• tools
• total station
• ultra high frequency (UHF) radio
• vehicles.

Manufacturer specifications  may be found in:

• electronic format
• equipment specifications
• operator manuals
• printed product instructions and information
• spatial database
• warranty documents.

Entities  may include:

• event
• object.

Reference system  may include coordinate systems that are:

• global
• local
• regional.

Attributes  are properties associated with a dataset and may include:

• condition
• date
• size
• type.

Data capture methodology  may include:

• aerial
• conversion or translation from existing information (hard copy or digital)
• data dogging
• digitising theodolite
• direct or indirect
• field
• GPS scanning
• manual entry
• photogrammetry
• remote sensing
• sonar
• survey
• total station.

Metadata  may include:

• summarised information about a spatial dataset that describes the characteristics of the dataset, including:

• availability
• conditions of use
• coordinate system
• currency
• date of acquisition
• quality
• source
• spatial data acquisition methodologies
• version control.

OHS requirements  may include:

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

Operational maintenance  tasks may include:

• adjusting
• cleaning
• lubricating
• maintaining battery
• simple repairs
• tightening.

Contingencies  may include:

• adverse weather
• equipment failure.

Topological structures  may include:

• relationship between entities.

Required documentation  may include:

• accident and injury reports
• authority/approval documentation
• meeting reports
• records and reports of communication
• reimbursement documentation.

Unit sector 

Spatial information services