Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to develop and review catchment management plans that impact on water yield and/or quality.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for managers in water organisations with responsibility for the management of water catchments.

Employability Skills 

This unit of competency contains employability skills.

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 Prepare for catchment management .

1.1 Identify and interpret catchment management requirements .

1.2 Identify and evaluate user and customer  requirements that impact on the catchment area.

1.3 Gather historical catchment information  and evaluate as input to the planning process.

1.4 Identify, interpret and assess water quality and quantity requirements.

1.5 Identify and interpret environmental factors  and other relevant issues  that impact on the catchment area.

2 Develop the catchment management plan .

2.1 Identify, interpret and validate stakeholder  requirements that impact on the catchment area.

2.2 Review and clarify organisational objectives and key performance indicators for the catchment management plan.

2.3 Develop a catchment management plan.

3 Review and refine the catchment management plan .

3.1 Assess data from the ongoing implementation of the catchment management plan and use to inform the review of the plan.

3.2 Review objectives of the management and implementation plans.

3.3 Make recommendations for changes to objectives and implementation procedures.

3.4 Provide advice and guidance to catchment area users and stakeholders.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills :

• interpret and apply legislation and policies
• interpret and use measuring and testing activities
• conduct investigations
• assess environmental impacts
• use data to inform planning process
• communicate and consult with stakeholders.

Required knowledge :

• water quality processes and parameters
• water management processes
• analysis of historical records
• relevant legislation
• relevant enterprise policies
• range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures
• risk management principles
• investigation procedures
• customer expectations and requirements
• occupational health and safety and environmental legislation
• Acts and procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 to develop and review catchment management plans that impact on water yield and quality including:

• gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and water quality test results) to underpin the sound development of the water catchment management plan
• consulting widely and effectively
• developing effective catchment management plans that address the water organisation's objectives and requirements
• using data from testing and other monitoring arrangements to track the performance of the catchment management plan and inform the review of the plan
• preparing reports and recommendations for changes to the objectives of the management plan and its implementation.

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/or 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 should only be made 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Catchment management requirements  may include:

• relevant federal legislation
• relevant state or territory legislation
• relevant local government by-laws
• organisational needs
• codes of practice.

User and customer  stakeholders may include:

• recreational users of the catchment area
• forestry and land management authorities
• housing developers and home owners
• farmers
• traditional land owners
• consumers of water
• water authorities.

Historical catchment information  may include:

• relevant hydrometrical information
• previous monitoring studies
• previous risk assessments
• vegetation surveys
• anecdotal information from land holders
• geological data
• hydro-geological data.

Environmental factors  that impact on the catchment area may include:

• flora
• fauna
• chemicals
• land degradation
• nutrients
• fire breaks
• farming practices
• land use.

Issues  that impact on or relate to the catchment area may include:

• existence of known cultural sites
• land use patterns
• environmental issues
• other human activity.

Stakeholder  groups may include:

• state forestry bodies
• state parks authorities
• land care groups
• catchment management trusts and community groups
• environmental interest groups
• native title and indigenous groups
• state government
• local councils/shires
• water authorities.

Competency field 

Collection and distribution