Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit of competency covers the ability to gather and analyse information about environmental issues to inform enterprise decision making and to make valid decisions within a defined scope of responsibility. Personnel are required to implement relevant enterprise policies/procedures, consult with and involve interested parties, develop well researched positions, make decisions and/or provide sound recommendations for consideration by decision makers, and to inform others about decisions. They work under the supervision of an environmental scientist or engineer, site manager or enterprise environmental manager.
Application of the Unit
This unit of competency is applicable to environmental site coordinators, environmental managers and senior environmental officers working in a range of industry sectors. such as:
- environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing (e.g. air, water, soil and noise)
- geotechnical services
- natural resource management
- occupational hygiene monitoring (e.g. air, noise and radiation)
- water supply and treatment, storm and wastewater management
- solid and hazardous waste management
- site remediation or rehabilitation
- resource efficiency (e.g. energy, water and waste auditing).
Note that the term ‘manager’ is used to refer to management of a function, project and /or program and does not necessarily imply line management.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 |
Confirm decision-making process with manager |
1.1 |
Identify site/project/program environmental issues or problems that require decisions |
1.2 |
Examine enterprise environmental policies/procedures to identify the relevant decision maker and decision-making process |
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1.3 |
Scope the issue or problem, context, possible causes, the needs/concerns of interested parties and the risks involved |
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1.4 |
Seek timely advice about issues/problems/decisions that have impacts beyond own scope of responsibility |
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1.5 |
Confirm own role in the decision-making process and the timeline, constraints and resources available |
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2 |
Identify information needs, sources and collection methods |
2.1 |
Identify the information required for a reliable decision |
2.2 |
Confirm that available sources of information are reliable and sufficiently comprehensive for the required context |
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2.3 |
Select information collection methods that are efficient, cost-effective and ethical |
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2.4 |
Seek external expert opinion and advice in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required |
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3 |
Engage interested parties to inform decision making |
3.1 |
Identify interested parties; their respective interests, needs and expectations; and assess their ability to contribute |
3.2 |
Identify appropriate engagement strategies/activities to encourage effective participation in the decision-making process |
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3.3 |
Explain the engagement objectives and constraints and the level of influence that participants have on decisions |
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3.4 |
Use active listening to seek input and a balanced exchange of views |
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3.5 |
Provide accurate and balanced information using a language, style and format that is readily understood |
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3.6 |
Acknowledge differences of opinion to encourage rigorous examination of all options |
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3.7 |
Seek feedback to ensure that the views expressed by all participants have been understood |
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3.8 |
Keep interested parties informed about engagement outcomes and progress of decision making |
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4 |
Gather and analyse information needed for decision making |
4.1 |
Gather sufficient information using methods that comply with enterprise policies/procedures and legislative requirements |
4.2 |
Ensure objectives for analysis are clear and appropriate for the required decisions |
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4.3 |
Analyse available information to identify significant issues, principles, legal requirements, patterns and/or trends |
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4.4 |
Clearly distinguish between fact and opinion |
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4.5 |
Justify assumptions made and support conclusions with reasoned arguments and appropriate evidence |
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4.6 |
Record outcomes of analysis in sufficient detail to enable transparent decision making |
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5 |
Make decisions and/or provide recommendations |
5.1 |
Consider feasible options for addressing the issue/problem and the associated risks, costs and benefits of each |
5.2 |
Check that the preferred option complies with legislative requirements and enterprise policies/procedures |
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5.3 |
Obtain advice from relevant personnel if unsure about decisions or draft recommendations |
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5.4 |
Make valid, timely decisions when issue/problem is within own scope of responsibility |
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5.5 |
Provide recommendations to relevant personnel in time to inform decision making and enable effective action to be taken |
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6 |
Communicate information and decisions |
6.1 |
Provide timely, authorised information in accordance with enterprise policies/procedures and in a form/manner that suits the needs of recipients |
6.2 |
Check and confirm recipients’ understanding of the information provided |
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6.3 |
Use feedback from recipients to improve the way information is provided |
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7 |
Review contribution to decision-making process |
7.1 |
Review information collection strategies, engagement activities and contribution to decision-making process to identify opportunities for improvement |
7.2 |
Report findings to relevant personnel |
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Required Skills and Knowledge
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
Overview of assessment |
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team. Resources may include:
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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. 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. |
Guidance information for assessment |
Range Statement
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 |
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements |
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Environmental issues and problems |
Environmental issues and problems may include:
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Information |
Information may include:
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Sources of information |
Sources of information may include:
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Information collection methods |
Information collection methods may include:
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External expert opinion |
External expert opinion may include:
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Strategies and activities to encourage effective participation in decision making |
Strategies and activities to encourage effective participation in decision making may include:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Environmental
Custom Content Section
Not applicable.