Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and review tree management policy and relates to the formulation of strategic policy and subsequent policy determinations.

This unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning and cognitive, technical and communication skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and defined responsibility in undertaking complex work within broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

The role involves the self-directed application of specialised knowledge in arboriculture with substantial depth in areas such as tree management, tree policy and statutes and local planning laws.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Arboriculture (ARB)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit - no equivalent.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

• identifying stakeholders, consult and establish stakeholder needs
• researching historic and current tree policies
• analysing statutory context and policy context of the current or proposed tree policy
• researching current and historic tree management activities
• analysing current industry tree policy models
• evaluating comparative tree methodologies and systems
• researching current policy and strategic information to inform and develop policy
• identifying key management objectives and management metrics
• establishing benchmarks
• analysing existing policies, procedures and systems for compliance with policy planning requirements
• evaluating conflicting stakeholder needs
• determining tree management strategies
• defining policy reflecting strategic objectives of organisation
• defining strategic objectives of the policy
• developing and communicate change management strategies
• making recommendations for policy options
• determining legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws
• determining if policy is included or referred to in statutory documents
• seeking advice about legal implications of policy
• determining parameters of policy
• determining and record localised soil types, rainfall infiltration and runoff
• compiling database of local and indigenous tree species
• compiling database of exotics that perform well
• creating list of preferred and desired species
• determining extent and type of tree data from tree inventory
• setting diversity goals for tree species and tree families
• developing tree policy to meet strategic objectives
• developing and communicating procedures to implement policy
• developing policy determinations for hazard identification and mitigation, significant trees, tree selection, tree replacement, street tree planting, tree removal, tree inspections and assessments, tree pruning operations, power line clearance, habitat protection, infrastructure protection and pest and disease control as required
• developing draft of strategic tree policy
• promoting tree policy and expected outcomes to key stakeholders
• seeking feedback from stakeholders
• reviewing and amending policy
• developing tree policy documentation
• developing compliance programs in policy documentation
• implementing strategies for continuous improvement
• use of industry standard terminology to describe tree policy.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

• current and historic tree management activities
• historic and current tree policies
• tree policy models
• benchmarks
• management objectives
• management metrics
• strategic objectives
• key stakeholders
• tree management strategies
• legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws
• compliance with policy planning requirements
• legal implications of policy
• localised soil types, rainfall infiltration and runoff
• databases
• tree inventory
• policy determinations for hazard identification and mitigation, significant trees, tree selection, tree replacement, street tree planting, tree removal, tree inspections and assessments, tree pruning operations, power line clearance, habitat protection, infrastructure protection and pest and disease control
• development of draft and final documents.

Assessment Conditions

It is an industry requirement for competency in this unit that assessment includes construction of a database that must contain a minimum of twenty (20) trees that are the preferred and desired species highly suitable for local use, and incorporating intensive tree profiles detailing attributes of the location, taxonomic characteristics, edaphic and environmental preferences and limitations of the tree. The database must include local, indigenous and exotic tree species.

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

• equipment:

• computer
• word processing software
• statistical software
• internet connection

• materials:

• tree policy documentation
• tree profile and benefits form
• database of local, indigenous and exotic tree species

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

• arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed
• current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72