Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the outcomes required to develop a tree inventory plan to manage an inventory of forestry timber assets and varying levels

General workplace legislative and regulatory requirements apply to this unit; however there are no specific licensing or certification requirements at the time of publication

Application of the unit 

The unit mainly applies to people who manage forests for enterprises but may also apply to people who have responsibility for sustainable tree management in urban or rural enterprises

The skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance are to be used within the scope of the person's job and authority

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

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

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Conduct risk assessment for managing tree inventory

1.1. Applicable Occupational Health and Safety  (OHS), environmental , legislative  and organisational requirements  relevant to managing tree inventory for sustainable tree management are identified and followed

1.2. Nature of resource  and site characteristics  are identified

1.3. Enterprise requirements  and enterprise outputs  are identified

1.4. External influences  are researched and assessed

1.5. Risk  and potential outcomes  are identified

2. Use developed risk assessment to support development of a tree inventory plan

2.1. Sustainable tree management requirements are researched and analysed

2.2. Appropriate stakeholders  are consulted and support obtained for the development of a tree inventory plan

2.3. Management approval is obtained for identified inventory management approach

3. Prepare tree inventory plan for sustainable tree management

3.1. Administrative tools , physical resources  and recording methodology  are identified

3.2. Necessary human resources are identified

3.3. Financial requirements  are forecast

3.4. Quality assurance  system is established

3.5. Communication plan  is established

4. Manage the implementation of tree inventory plan

4.1. Action is taken to ensure participating stakeholders are clear about their responsibilities and the plan requirements

4.2. Support is provided to stakeholders to ensure the quality of expected outcomes and objectives are met

4.3. Record keeping systems are maintained

4.4. Plans for monitoring finances and resources are implemented and monitored

4.5. Risk management is undertaken as required to ensure outcomes are met

4.6. Plan outcomes and objectives are met

5. Review tree inventory plan

5.1. Data is collected and analysed

5.2. Variations from plan are identified and investigated

5.3. Appropriate stakeholders are consulted with about desired and actual outcomes

5.4. Outcomes and processes are reviewed against tree inventory plan

5.5. Lessons learnt are documented and reported within the organisation

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• Research, technical, planning and organisational skills sufficient to d manage a tree inventory for sustainable tree management
• Technical skills sufficient to undertake surveys and map information; interpret data generated from manual and electronic surveying and mensuration
• Management skills sufficient to manage databases; prepare a tree inventory plan; undertake appropriate consultation; undertake risk assessment
• Communication skills sufficient to use appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with stakeholders
• Literacy skills sufficient to record and report workplace information, maintain documentation and collect data
• Numeracy analytical skills sufficient to analyse relevant workplace information and collected data
• Problem solving skills sufficient to identify problems; identify appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge 

• Applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for managing tree inventory for sustainable tree management
• Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of waste material
• Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for managing tree inventory for sustainable tree management
• Environmental risks and hazards
• Role of wood or waste products in generating renewable energy through biomass
• Minimising environmental impact
• Using energy effectively and efficiently
• Using material effectively and efficiently
• OHS in relation to operations
• Database management and document control systems
• Relevant species behaviour characteristics
• Silvicultural practices associated with management objectives
• Key sustainability indicators
• Mensuration theory
• Inventory tools and their application
• Trigonometry associated with surveying and tree measuring
• Established communication channels and protocols including notification of authorities
• Problem identification and resolution strategies
• Types of tools and equipment, and procedures for their safe use and maintenance
• Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can safely and efficiently manage a tree inventory for sustainable tree management

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, and satisfy, all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

• following applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice relevant to managing tree inventory for sustainable tree management
• following organisational policies and procedures relevant to developing and managing a tree inventory plan in line with sustainable tree management principles
• gaining support for the development of a tree inventory plan in line with sustainable tree management principles
• preparing a tree inventory plan in line with sustainable tree management principles
• managing the implementation of a tree inventory plan
• reviewing a tree inventory plan in meeting organisational and sustainable tree management requirements
• communicating the plan to all stakeholders

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace
• Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
• Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements
• The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
• specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge
• Assessment may be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
• Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access and correctly interpret and apply the required knowledge
• Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
• Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
• Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
• Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

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.

OHS requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:

• personal protective equipment and clothing
• safety equipment
• first aid equipment
• fire fighting equipment
• hazard and risk control
• fatigue management
• elimination of hazardous materials and substances
• safe forest practices including required actions relating to forest fire
• manual handling including shifting, lifting and carrying

Environmental requirements  may include:

• legislation
• organisational policies and procedures
• workplace practices

Legislative requirements :

are to be in line with applicable Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation, regulations, certification requirements and codes of practice and may include:

• award and enterprise agreements
• industrial relations
• Australian Standards
• confidentiality and privacy
• OHS
• the environment
• equal opportunity
• anti-discrimination
• relevant industry codes of practice
• duty of care

Organisational requirements  may include:

• legal
• organisational and site guidelines
• policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility
• procedural manuals
• continuous improvement processes and standards
• OHS, emergency and evacuation procedures
• ethical standards
• recording and reporting requirements
• equipment use, maintenance and storage requirements
• environmental management requirements (waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Resource  may include:

• species identification
• size
• age and class
• condition
• forest or land area

Site characteristics  may include:

• elevation
• slope
• orientation
• neighbouring estates
• microclimate
• rainfall
• soil type

Enterprise requirements  may include:

• quality policy
• environmental policy
• cost benefit or net present value analyses
• management objectives

Enterprise outputs  may include:

• solid timber
• chip
• carbon storage
• nature reserve
• streetscapes
• community forestry
• recreational use

External influences  may include:

• international forestry and environmental standards
• Australian forestry and environmental standards
• State/Territory and local legislation and subordinate legislation
• advisory standards and codes of practice
• land tenure and access
• neighbouring tenure and access
• habitat
• cultural and heritage sites
• agriforestry arrangements
• fire management
• data availability
• human resource skills and availability

Risk  may include:

• biological
• pests and diseases
• weather/climate change
• economic risk
• erosion
• fire
• market failure
• natural disaster
• sabotage
• water
• structural failure

Outcomes  may include:

• established growth rates
• established volumes
• forecasted outputs
• forecasted sustainability
• monitored sustainability
• preserved forest sustainability

Stakeholders  may include:

• shareholders or investors
• customers
• contractors
• operational staff or contractors
• administrative staff or contractors
• technical staff or contractors
• professional staff or contractors
• government
• community

Administrative tools  may include:

• computer hardware and software
• filing systems
• field templates
• operational manual
• land access information
• gantt charts
• flow charts

Physical resources  may include:

• measuring/diameter tapes
• dataloggers and laptops
  log sheets
• compass
• clinometer
• height sticks
• prisms
• mobile GPS
• maps
• survey and title data
• survey equipment

Recording methodology  may include:

• dataloggers
• log sheets
• manual or electronic data transfer
• analytical techniques and formulae
• radio/UV/laser advanced technology
• digital dataloggers and laptop computers
• desk or field surveys
• testing and calibration records

Financial requirements  may include:

• budget and forecast financials
• appropriate allocations to field and desk activities
• time adjusted forecasts
• management overhead

Quality assurance  may include:

• data collection and submission protocols
• data verification protocols
• documented analytical protocols
• documented and controlled system
• testing and calibration protocols

Communication plan  may include:

• accessibility
• organisational chart
• consultation
• directives
• monitoring procedures
• recording and reporting procedures
• time management
• emergency procedures
• contingency procedures
• confidentiality

Competency field 

Forest Growing and Management