Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL975011A Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys

Application

This unit of competency covers the ability to design and supervise complex field surveys for a wide range of environmental systems. This unit covers confirming survey requirements, designing and organising field surveys to achieve their purpose, and supervising the field survey according to a defined plan.

This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers working in the environmental industry sector. All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.

Pre-requisite Unit

Competency Field

Testing

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

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

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL975011A Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSL975011A Design and supervise complex environmental field surveys

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

• designing, organising and supervising at least one (1) complex environmental field survey
• confirming the survey purpose, objectives and resource requirements
• selecting appropriate field survey methods, equipment, instruments and data quality procedures
• assessing risks and implementing appropriate safety and emergency procedures
• developing an approved work program with details of key survey activities, timetable, staff roles and responsibilities
• identifying all necessary supplies, equipment, instruments and vehicles
• completing all survey plans and administrative requirements accurately and within the specified timeframe
• clearly explaining the individual roles, responsibilities and specific tasks of staff within the work program
• overseeing the checking, cleaning, storage and transport of all supplies, equipment and instruments to and from site
• managing day-to-day survey activities efficiently in consultation with staff
• modifying existing field survey protocols and adapting field activities to suit changing circumstances
• communicating and negotiating effectively with staff and stakeholders to resolve problems or conflicts
• overseeing the secure storage of all field data
• reporting survey results, any anomalies and recommendations in accordance with workplace procedures
• following workplace safety procedures and hazard control measures for the protection of self and others.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

• general principles of environmental planning and assessment, and environmental protection
• environmental field survey terminology, principles, practices and techniques relevant to job role
• workplace data quality procedures, data recording and storage methods relevant to job role
• current developments in field instrumentation, survey equipment and communication systems relevant to job role
• typical purpose and objectives of the complex environmental field surveys, including:

• information and analysis required
• end users of information
• significance of outcomes for broader programs

• typical field survey drivers and constraints, such as:

• political agendas, social and economic issues
• new field survey protocols or codes of practice
• recent judicial decisions
• recent environmental impact assessments or audits
• media or public concerns
• field safety or accident/incident issues
• competencies and availability of staff
• time available to design and implement field activities

• rights and responsibilities of employers and employees when conducting field activities, such as legal/regulatory requirements, risk management, safety and emergency management, and environmental protection
• typical field survey problems, such as:

• unexpected restriction on access to sites
• seasonal conditions
• equipment failure or loss, failure to bring critical equipment
• communication failure/difficulties
• unforseen environment impacts
• contact with hazardous wastes

• relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements

Assessment Conditions

• Judgment of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
• This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
• This unit of competency may be assessed with:

• MSL935004 Maintain instruments and equipment

• Holistic assessment methods include:

• review of the planning and reporting for a complex environmental field survey designed and supervised by the candidate
• observation of field survey activities performed by the candidate, such as:
• initial safety, emergency and environmental impact assessment associated with survey activities
• pre-survey site reconnaissance
• supervision of field survey activities
• collection and reporting of reliable data
• effective communication techniques
• feedback from supervisors that relevant field survey objectives were achieved
• feedback from staff that field survey roles, responsibilities and tasks were clearly explained
• feedback from stakeholders that consultation and outcomes met their needs, where appropriate
• oral and written questions to assess required knowledge of environmental field survey design, data quality assurance, use of equipment and solving typical survey problems
• review of the candidate’s responses to simulation exercises, such as survey preparation, handling accident situations and emergencies.

• Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

• legislation, regulations and codes of practice
• workplace procedures and field protocols, equipment/instrument manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures, general maintenance and repair procedures
• equipment required for field activities, such as vehicles, navigation and communication equipment, survey equipment, sampling/monitoring equipment, containers and animal cages, field test kits and instruments, consumables, safety equipment, first aid and/or survival kits
• work program, workplace procedures, codes of practice and field protocols and manuals.

• Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
• The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.
• Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

• relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
• relevant workplace experience.

• Currency can be demonstrated through:

• performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
• having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa