Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to collate and interpret spatial data to provide the dataset required for project deliverables, often in a supervisory capacity. It requires the ability to apply theoretical spatial concepts to a range of situations in order to identify and interpret the appropriate information, according to client requirements. Functions would be carried out within organisational guidelines.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the application of self-management and problem-solving skills; the use of technology; and planning and organising within data management and data manipulation. 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.

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 Access data .

1.1 Spatial datasets  are retrieved from relevant data storage.

1.2 Data is manipulated into an appropriate format  to meet client specifications .

1.3 Requirements for spatial data and constraints  are identified through consultation with client  or relevant personnel  and outcomes are recorded according to organisational guidelines .

2 Query and interpret data .

2.1 Relevant sources and data are identified and accessed.

2.2 Data is queried and interpreted  using appropriate equipment or software package according to client requirements.2.3 Data is verified for relevance using descriptive and analytical techniques .

2.4 Irregularities are resolved using initiative.

2.5 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in data.

2.6 Results are recorded and documented according to organisational and client requirements.

2.7 OHS  requirements are planned for and adhered to.

3 Collate data .

3.1 Spatial and aspatial  requirements are collated to meet organisational needs .

3.2 Most appropriate format and database are selected according to organisational requirements.

3.3 Legal and ethical requirements  are addressed.

4 Test and validate collated spatial data .

4.1 Tools  for testing the validity  of the information and data are identified and accessed or developed.

4.2 Links with other functional areas and management systems  are identified and facilitated to ensure comprehensive information and data collection.

4.3 Quality and useability of data are ensured 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
• ability to translate requirements into design
• analytical skills, including systems analysis
• business presentations
• communication skills to:

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

• computer skills (high technical user level) to complete business documentation
• information management
• 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 in order to assess sources of spatial data

• negotiation skills
• numeracy skills to:

• analyse errors
• conduct image analysis
• interpret and analyse statistics
• perform mental calculations
• 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

• spatial skills to:

• display proficiency in the operation of spatial data capture equipment
• exercise precision and accuracy in relation to spatial and aspatial design
• 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.

Required knowledge and understanding :

• classification systems, processes and products
• computation methods
• coordinating reference systems
• design methods
• industry standards
• OHS guidelines
• operation of relevant software packages
• organisational policies and guidelines
• precision and accuracy in relation to spatial information
• principles of data acquisition (e.g. photogrammetry, remote sensing, terrestrial survey and hydrography)
• business presentation methods
• quality guidelines
• reference systems and their relationship to each other
• risk management
• security management guidelines
• spatial and attribute dataset structure and requirements
• spatial database operation
• spatial database structure requirements
• spatial data handling
• spatial data management practices
• spatial data storage technology.

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 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:

• taking responsibility for own outputs in work and learning
• using relevant data by manipulating and analysing it to meet the client's requirements, including:

• applying operational knowledge in a broad range of areas relating to linking datasets and knowledge management
• applying organisational skills and prioritising activity
• applying solutions to a range of problems
• devising and implementing a cost-effective functional solution
• examining suitability of existing arrangements
• keeping records accurately
• measuring outcomes against specifications
• performing a range of tasks where choice between a substantial range of options is required.

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.

Spatial dataset  may include:

• digital
• hard copy
• image
• text
• raster
• vector.

Format  may include:

• electronic information and data management systems (where system refers to computer software).

Client specifications  refer to description of outputs and may be contained in:

• contracts
• memos
• tender briefs
• verbal instructions
• written instructions.

Constraints  may include:

• coverage
• datum
• environmental factors
• industry requirements
• legal and statutory
• financial
• resource availability
• time.

Client  may include:

• customers with routine or special requests
• external to organisation
• internal to organisation
• regular and new customers, including:

• business enterprises
• government agencies
• members of the public
• suppliers.

Relevant personnel  may include:

• colleagues
• staff or employee representatives
• supervisors or line managers
• suppliers
• users.

Organisational guidelines  may include:

• code of ethics
• company policy
• legislation relevant to the work or service function, including equal employment opportunity (EEO)
• manuals
• OHS policies and procedures
• personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles and responsibilities.

Interpreted  according to:

• equipment available
• software packages
• task required.

Descriptive and analytical techniques  may include:

• statistical tests and methods such as:

• broad analytical studies to determine estimates of risk
• making comparisons using basic tests of significance
• mean, standard deviation, regression analysis and percentage change.

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.

Aspatial  refers to:

• data without a spatial component.

Organisational needs  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
• hydrography
• integrated services - environmental, land and geographic related datasets
• land ownership tenure system
• local government
• location-based services
• global positioning
• mapping facilities
• photogrammetry
• remote sensing
• site analysis
• survey marks
• sewerage
• telecommunications
• terrestrial survey
• town planning
• utility services such as water
• water catchment.

Ethical requirements  may include:

• confidentiality
• privacy.

Tools  may include:

• model of questions with known answers
• pilot program
• prototype dataset
• survey (staff in client organisation).

Validity  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.

Other functional areas and management systems  may include:

• engineering and maintenance
• environmental management
• finance and auditing
• information, data and records management
• human resource, industrial relations and personnel management, including payroll
• logistics
• purchasing, procuring and contracting
• quality management
• strategic planning.

Unit sector 

Spatial information services