Unit of competency details

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TP Version 

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AHC10v6

Initial release

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. Manage the project design process

1.1 Areas of expertise and specialist services required to carry out the project are identified

1.2 A design brief is prepared

1.3 Project design and contract arrangements are agreed

1.4 Site elements and features that impact on project design and establishment are assessed

1.5 The impact of project location on the type of carbon credits generated, where relevant, is ascertained

1.6 The impact of differing crediting and reporting periods on project planning and implementation is assessed

1.7 A design is prepared that describes the detailed features, specifications and approach of the project

1.8 The design is checked for compliance with the relevant approved methodology and CFI requirements and agreed with the stakeholder

2. Carry out preliminary planning activities

2.1 The responsibilities of owning and managing a CFI project are identified

2.2 Project design and contract requirements are confirmed

2.3 The availability and quantity of materials and resources listed in the project specifications are verified

2.4 The availability of personnel with appropriate expertise to assist with or undertake project work is confirmed

3. Prepare a project plan

3.1 Resources, tools, labour and equipment required for project implementation are identified

3.2 Project risks are assessed and controls are established

3.3 A project plan outlining allocation of resources, work tasks and timing is prepared

3.4 Interdependencies, seasonal factors and impacts are identified and incorporated in the staging strategy

4. Cost implementation works

4.1 Current prices for project resources, tools, labour and equipment required for project implementation are obtained

4.2 Unit and total cost for each resource item is calculated

4.3 Total project costs are accurately calculated and documented

4.4 Adjustments are made where required to reconcile costs with project budget

4.5 The costed plan is agreed with the project proponent

4.6 The costed plan is checked with the relevant auditor to ensure that the methods proposed in applying the methodology will meet audit requirements

Required skills

• communication skills to:

• determine and confirm client requirements using questioning and active listening as required
• negotiate financial service transactions with clients
• liaise with others, share information, listen and understand

• literacy skills to:

• read and interpret documentation from a variety of sources
• analyse information to ensure currency, accuracy and appropriateness to client needs
• complete documentation accurately

• research and analytical skills to access, interpret and manage complex information
• numeracy and IT skills to:

• interpret financial information and calculate client costs
• use the internet to research information
• use a geographic information system to interpret fire mapping products
• use a spreadsheet to calculate annual emissions from fire on a project
• drive an automated savannah burning methodology tool

• information management skills to capture and record key project information
• interpersonal skills to:

• establish rapport with clients
• liaise with other team members and specialists
• establish networks with relevant technical experts

• judgement skills to:

• apply ethical principles to decision making in the advisory process
• form suitable recommendations when advising

• self-management skills to comply with ethical, legal and procedural requirements
• organising and time-management skills to:

• sequence tasks
• meet timelines and deliver agreed outcomes
• arrange meetings

• leadership skills to:

• build an effective project team
• lead the team in the implementation of the project
• anticipate, plan and organise required materials and resources

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

• Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and regulations, particularly provisions relevant to project planning and implementation, and including relevant eligible activities on the positive list
• any regulatory guidance included on the Clean Energy Regulator website for the relevant methodologies
• details of relevant approved CFI savanna burning, feral animal and rangelands methodologies including eligibility requirements, project area requirements, net abatement calculation requirements, monitoring, reporting and auditing requirements and further information sources
• dealing with multiple land interest holders (e.g. Indigenous groups, pastoralists and the Crown)
• carbon rights protocols for exclusive and non exclusive native title holders
• consent rights for native title, Crown land and mining leases
• funding arrangements for assisting Indigenous communities in establishing or participating in carbon farming projects
• sources of culturally relevant materials and verbal information
• history, cultural protocols and perspectives of indigenous stakeholders in the area
• current relationships between culturally diverse groups in the area
• current pricing and options for project resources, tools, equipment and contractors
• formats for organising and presenting financial, qualitative and quantitative information
• public liability and legal responsibilities
• personal and professional liability
• duty of care
• managing environmental risk
• workplace health and safety
• carbon accounting in the land sector, including:

• Australia's national carbon accounting framework
• need for consistency of abatement calculations under the CFI with methods in the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting determination and the National Inventory Report
• requirements for measuring emissions from land-based sources relevant to the methodologies

• For savannah burning methodologies

• detailed understanding about fire behaviour in the landscapes covered by the savanna burning methodology, including how to obtain and understand the fire history of the site, the effects of burning the site at various times of the year, the effects of burning the site’s various vegetation communities, the effects of burning the site at different times of the day
• how to plan and implement a large scale program of strategic fire management
• Geographic Information System operation, including how to operate the North Australian Fire Information website (www.firenorth.org.au)
• and experience in fire prevention, precautions, control and management in rural situations as applied in district Rural Fire services
• community building and coordination in the management of implementation of fire burning projects affecting nearby towns, part time farmers, conservationists and local authorities
• remote sensing
• mapping requirements including vegetation maps, monthly fire maps and seasonal fire maps
• vegetation classes, characteristic species and substrates
• geographic information systems (GIS)
• automated savannah burning methodology tool (once it has been developed in mid 2013)

• For feral animal methodologies

• aerial survey and data recording
• geographic information systems (GIS)
• relevant animal welfare standards
• feral animal population dynamics and ecology in the project area
• relevant licences, permits and legislation regarding feral animal control
• population dynamics and ecology for the relevant feral animals in the project area

• For rangelands methodologies, geographic information systems (GIS)

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

Evidence of the ability to:

• manage the project design process
• plan the implementation of a savannah burning, feral animal or rangelands project
• prepare a project plan
• identify resources for a program of works
• cost implementation of the project

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must be undertaken in the context of the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Assessment resources must be developed to determine the candidate’s depth and breadth of knowledge of approved savannah burning, feral animal and rangelands methodologies and the knowledge required to plan their implementation, as well as their ability to provide accurate and up-to-date information to others in a professional manner.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observing processes and procedures in workplaces
• oral or written questioning on required knowledge and skills
• evaluating workplace documents and samples of work
• simulated projects, scenarios or case studies
• obtaining and validating third party references and reports

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment with other units relevant to the job role is recommended.

The unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.

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.

Seasonal factors and impacts include:

• material handling
• rainfall requirements
• machinery use
• fire hazards
• growing conditions
• establishment period

Design brief includes:

a brief that outlines project objectives, outcomes, scope, constraints and assumptions, dependencies, design options and preferred option, business case, success indicators, project approach and governance arrangements (including compliance requirements with the standards of the applicable auditor)

Positive list includes:

a register, contained in the CFI regulations, of abatement activities, that are eligible to earn carbon credits under the CFI