Unit of competency details

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 range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify and apply water entitlements .

1.1 Apply principles of allocation or sale of water to properties and landholders.

1.2 Apply changes to entitlement or allocation  to properties and between properties to workplace practices where relevant.

1.3 Apply relevant sections of legislation  relating to water distribution and delivery to workplace practices, including breach notification.

1.4 Identify relevant water products and services offered to customers, and customer contracts.

2 Identify and apply principles of water supply networks and distribution systems .

2.1 Identify relevant type and structure  of water supply networks and their interaction where relevant.

2.2 Identify design and operation of relevant components of water distribution system .

2.3 Identify and monitor principles of water flow and factors affecting water flow.

2.4 Identify and apply basic principles of regulating water efficiently through the water supply system.

3 Record and monitor water use .

3.1 Monitor , report  and measure water flows and volumes  according to legislative and organisational requirements.

3.2 Identify and monitor balance of water entitlements.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills :

• follow relevant written policies and procedures
• read meters and other measurement instruments
• perform work-related calculations
• work effectively as part of a team
• complete estimates and record water use
• operate a range of flow control devices
• use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace
• use personal protective equipment

Required knowledge :

• relevant sections of Water Acts and legislation
• organisational operating procedures
• property water allocation or entitlement policies
• transferable water entitlement procedures
• workplace system networks or distribution systems
• depth and flow conversion charts

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The candidate should demonstrate the ability toidentify and apply irrigation, and stock and domestic supply systems, measure water and report water usage including:

• applying water allocation and entitlement principles and procedures
• interpreting and applying relevant legislation, including identification and notification of breaches
• calculating water flows and volumes
• regulating water delivery according to legislative and organisational requirements

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Access to the workplace and resources including:

• documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
• relevant codes, standards and government regulations

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
• a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
• where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
• assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any 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.

Entitlement or allocation  may include:

• property water rights or leases
• permanent or temporary transfers
• allocations based on storage levels

Legislation  may include:

• relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
• codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
• documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs
• relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements

Type and structure  of water reticulation system may include:

• manual and automated channel systems
• pipeline systems
• rivers and streams
• combination of these

Components of water distribution system  may include:

• storages
• channels
• pipelines
• tanks
• control and regulating structures
• supply points

Operation of reticulation system is monitored and reported  and may require:

• interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and general public
• visual observation
• use of computerised monitoring systems
• application of processes for identifying and reporting regulated water use and suspected breaches
• implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements

Measurement of water flows and volumes  may be:

• metered
• estimated
• calculated on past usage rates