Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to organise and undertake field monitoring programs that are primarily focused on the determination of physical and chemical parameters and/or observation and documentation of biological/ecological systems. It covers confirming the requirements of the monitoring activities, sampling, sample handling, physical and chemical monitoring and simple field-based analysis, data collection and recording. It also covers field camp maintenance and field safety. The unit of competency covers gaining clearance for animal trapping, tagging, keeping or experimentation, but does not cover specific animal handling techniques. These tasks would only be performed under the guidance and supervision of a scientific officer. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to technical, field and environmental officers working in the construction materials, mining and environmental services industry sectors. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
||
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Confirm requirements for field monitoring activities with supervising staff |
1.1. Clarify the purpose, objectives and the defined site for the field monitoring activities 1.2. Review all emergency plans, risk assessments, and safety and environmental requirements associated with the field activities 1.3. Review and discuss the detailed work program with supervising staff 1.4. Clarify the need for permits and any access restrictions or local concerns at field site 1.5. Clarify details of all samples to be collected and field parameters to be measured 1.6. Confirm final data formats will suit stakeholders who receive or use the data 1.7. Review existing in-house protocols and/or associated in-house requirements that relate to field sampling, monitoring and data quality procedures |
2. Prepare for field monitoring activities |
2.1. Develop checklists, based on work program, to facilitate correct preparation of field activities 2.2. Identify and implement all actions required under enterprise emergency plan, risk assessment, and environment, safety and data quality procedures 2.3. Complete all administrative requirements and obtain appropriate approvals/permits 2.4. Prepare and check all instruments, equipment, materials and supplies required to implement field program 2.5. Confirm, correct and safe use of equipment and details of field activities with supervisor 2.6. Arrange and check correct operation, packaging and transportation of all supplies and equipment 2.7. Arrange all additional pre- and post-monitoring activities |
3. Perform field activities |
3.1. Establish and maintain field camp in accordance with enterprise procedures, as necessary 3.2. Perform field sampling, monitoring, data collection and recording as per the agreed work program 3.3. Label all samples and complete data sheets and field log book in accordance with enterprise procedures 3.4. Store samples/specimens in accordance with any special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability or integrity 3.5. Perform all tests and operate all equipment according to enterprise instructions 3.6. Store and maintain equipment and, where appropriate, calibrate instruments during field activities 3.7. Perform all activities safely with minimal impact on the environment |
4. Close down field monitoring activities |
4.1. Arrange and check final packaging and transportation of all samples, equipment and supplies back to home base 4.2. Ensure that monitoring/camp site is left in accordance with enterprise and environmental requirements 4.3. Ensure all samples and data are stored safely 4.4. Ensure dispatch of collected samples for subsequent analysis 4.5. Test and, if required, decontaminate equipment before storage 4.6. Report results/noting any anomalies with users, data analysers and/or supervisor |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
|
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
|
Evidence Guide
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 |
|
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
|
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
|
Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Environmental (1 ) A technical officer in an environmental protection authority is required to undertake an emergency monitoring program in a small catchment following a public complaint that a small industrial site has illegally discharged a concentrated sodium chloride/acid mixture into a nearby creek system. The monitoring program requires three samples to be taken above and three samples below the industrial site over a distance of two kilometres. Additional tests covering electrical conductivity, pH, temperature and turbidity are to be done in situ at the same time as when the samples are taken. All samples and monitoring procedures are to be clearly documented and undertaken according to statutory and enterprise requirements, as the results may potentially be required to be presented and cross-examined in court. All of the above planning, implementation and reporting must be completed within 24 hours. Environmental (2 ) A technical officer is involved in a four day lake survey 100 km from the laboratory. The survey is designed to collect many water samples and undertake netting activity to determine the variety and food requirements of fish in the lake. The technical officer is responsible for collecting the water samples, in accordance with the predetermined sampling plan and enterprise sampling procedures, and disposing of the fish samples after they have undergone field-based gut analysis. Given the large number of water samples and the duration of the field trip, the technical officer arranges for the hire of several 3-way camping refrigerators (gas/12V/240V) to store and transport the water samples at 4°C and for appropriate supervised burial of the fish samples at a local council landfill. In addition, he/she prepares, checks and packs all the supplies and equipment. Environmental (3 ) In preparation for a major field trip to collect soil samples in a remote location, a technical officer spent several weeks ensuring that all arrangements were in place. The officer confirmed access to the site and located suitable maps, aerial photos and reconnaissance data. The logistics of food, water, hygiene, fuel, transport, communications and safety were planned with senior staff to suit the fieldwork location, duration and personnel involved. The vehicles were serviced in preparation for remote off-road work and a full complement of spares was assembled. All supplies and field equipment were purchased or assembled, checked against an inventory and securely stowed in the vehicles. |
Range Statement
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. |
|
Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
|
Communications |
Communications may include:
|
Purpose of field monitoring activities |
Purpose of field monitoring activities may include:
|
Related plans and procedures |
Related plans and procedures may include:
|
Hazards |
Hazards may include:
|
Safety procedures and control measures |
Safety procedures and control measures may include:
|
Enterprise procedures for field activities |
Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:
|
Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals |
Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals may include:
|
Equipment |
Equipment may include:
|
Pre - and post-field activities |
Pre- and post-field activities may include:
|
Field monitoring activities and skills |
Field monitoring activities and skills may include:
|
Management of field camp activities |
Management of field camp activities may include:
|
Site and field issues and problems |
Site and field issues and problems may include:
|
Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
|
Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Testing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
||