Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to collect data using basic global positioning system (GPS) equipment and to be able to use suitable software to communicate with a GPS receiver. It requires the ability to combine technical application in a team environment with sound communication skills. Functions would be carried out under limited supervision and within organisational guidelines.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the application of basic planning, organising and communication skills, the use of technology, and technical understanding in interpreting specifications. The skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this unit would apply to the needs of employees in supporting positions for surveying, town planning, 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 Prepare for GPS data collection .

1.1 A data collection plan is developed, detailing key activities and timelines, which are scheduled with full consideration of the specifications  and team activity.

1.2 Organisational GPS survey requirements  are complied with and recorded.

1.3 Equipment  is prepared for the survey with consideration of the specific project parameters and requirements .

1.4 Designated responsibilities are communicated to and by relevant personnel  to ensure clarity of understanding of the work and to provide a basis for ongoing data assessment.

1.5 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in GPS equipment.

2 Collect GPS data .

2.1 GPS equipment is operated according to manufacturer specifications  and organisational guidelines .

2.2 Point positional data  is collected and related to a reference system based on specifications.

2.3 GPS data is collected using methodologies detailed in the data collection plan.

2.4 Conditions for obtaining optimum GPS positions are determined.

2.5 Basic methods to improve the accuracy of GPS point positioning are recognised and used.

2.6 GPS measurements are validated  and recorded on the reference system  according to the project specifications.

2.7 Any discrepancies between specifications and actual activities are identified and addressed.

2.8 OHS  requirements are adhered to.

2.9 GPS equipment is operated according to manufacturer specifications and organisational guidelines.

3 Finalise the collection process .

3.1 Basic GPS software  is used to communicate with basic GPS receivers.

3.2 GPS software is used to determine required information .

3.3 Measured GPS data is compared against design.

3.4 Checks are completed according to organisational requirements.

3.5 All required documentation  is completed according to organisational guidelines.

3.6 Appropriate software is used to process the data in order to determine required information, 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
• analytical skills (high level)
• communication skills to:

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

• computer skills (technical user level) to complete business documentation
• 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:

• analyse errors
• record with accuracy and precision
• undertake computations

• organisational skills to:

• prepare and administer documentation
• prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

• project management skills
• spatial skills to:

• perform GPS data archival and retrieval
• perform GPS data management and manipulation
• perform file management
• 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.

Required knowledge and understanding :

• abilities of work teams
• accuracy and precision requirements related to GPS data
• data formats
• data management
• errors, accuracy and precision in collection techniques
• GPS data processing and data manipulation
• GPS equipment
• industry standards
• limitations of equipment
• organisational policies and guidelines, such as OHS guidelines
• planning and control processes
• safe work practices
• relevant industry requirements and standards
• spatial reference systems (basic)
• surveying computation skills (basic).

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 CPPSIS4001A Maintain spatial systems, CPPSIS4002A Store and retrieve spatial data, and CPPSIS4004A Collect and set out basic spatial data.

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:

• matching objectives with resources to ensure collection proceeds in an organised and timely manner
• ensuring that achievement of required accuracy has been attempted by:

• accessing and interpreting basic design information to identify the components to be measured and monitored
• performing basic measurements
• planning basic resources
• applying solutions to a range of problems
• basic documenting and reporting
• reducing and manipulating GPS data

• ensuring that non-conformity aspects are recorded and reported
• taking responsibility for 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, 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.

Specifications  may include:

• detailed technical descriptions of survey data and its requirements
• preparation of cross-sections and plans with all information included.

Organisational GPS survey requirements  may include:

• administration (e.g. postcodes, suburbs, and federal and state electoral counties)
• analysis of environmental, land and geographic information
• asset management
• cartographic services
• civil engineering
• digital imagery
• electricity
• emergency services management
• environmental datasets
• geographic information systems
• integrated services - environmental, land and geographic related datasets
• land ownership tenure system
• local government
• location-based services
• global positioning
• mapping facilities
• programming GPS
• site analysis
• survey marks
• sewerage
• telecommunications
• town planning
• utility services, such as water.

Equipment  may include:

• any geodetic GPS receiver
• associated equipment capable of differential and real time modes of operations.

Project parameters and requirements  may include:

• coordinate systems
• datum
• display formats
• information displays
• outputs.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• colleagues
• registered surveyors
• site personnel
• staff or employee representatives
• supervisors or line managers
• suppliers
• users.

Manufacturer specifications  may include:

• equipment specifications
• operator manuals.

Organisational guidelines  may include:

• appropriate timelines
• code of ethics
• company policy
• final product formats
• formal design parameters
• legislation relevant to the work or service function, including equal employment opportunity (EEO)
• manuals
• OHS policies and procedures
• personnel practices and guidelines outlining teamwork, work roles and responsibilities
• requirements for data processing.

Point positional data  may include:

• basic GPS positions, not including differential methods.

Validated  means reflecting the true state of a test result, including tests for systematic distortions such as:

• confounding bias
• information/data bias
• observational bias
• recall bias
• selection bias.

Reference system  refers to:

• projection and datum parameters required for GPS equipment and processing software.

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 personal protective clothing
• use of safety equipment and signage.

GPS software  refers to:

• GPS software package designed to process GPS data and output required information.

Required information  may include:

• calculated information
• metadata
• positional data
• set out positional accuracy.

Required documentation  may include:

• electronic or paper-based correspondence with client
• field records
• final report
• records of conversation
• survey plots
• organisational work activity sheets.

Unit sector 

Spatial information services