Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves planning, preparing, undertaking and reporting on a local operation following an agency's policies and procedures.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application of the unit 

Typically an operation is undertaken on a specific direction from senior personnel or as a routine event based on a fisheries management agency's work plan.

Planning and preparation include ensuring that equipment is available and in working condition, that relevant information is obtained beforehand relating to weather forecasts, tides and seasonal factors, and that appropriate safety precautions are taken.

Persons undertaking local operational work would be expected to use their knowledge of the local area. This might include knowledge of significant geographic and cultural features, flora and fauna species, habitats and historical information about the local community, and fisher and tourist behaviour in the region.

The operation will usually involve some type of observation or monitoring role, skills that are covered by SFICOMP202B Conduct field observations. On return from the operation, a debriefing will be held, equipment and vessels or vehicles will be cleaned and stored and an operations record or report submitted.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan local operation

1.1. A decision to conduct an operation  is made based on the agency's work plan or as directed by senior personnel.

1.2. The purpose of the operation is confirmed with the supervising officer.

1.3. Hazards and risks  associated with the operation are identified, assessed and appropriate controls  are identified for inclusion in the plan.

1.4. Resources  required to support the operation are identified and their availability is confirmed.

1.5. Logistics  associated with the operation are considered and taken into account when developing the operational plan.

1.6. An operational plan  is developed and submitted in accordance with agency procedures.

2. Prepare for the operation

2.1. Communications and other equipment are confirmed as serviceable through maintenance checks and testing.

2.2. Backup systems and contingency plans are confirmed as in place.

2.3. Current information relating to weather conditions and cultural, fishing and marine activities is obtained and its significance to the operation understood.

2.4. Role of self and others involved in the operation is confirmed and understood.

2.5. Activities on the pre-operation checklist are completed in a timely and efficient matter.

3. Undertake the operation

3.1. The operation objectives are re-confirmed with others involved in the operation.

3.2. The schedule of activities in the operational plan is followed.

3.3. Equipment is used safely and effectively throughout the operation according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).

3.4. Communications with others involved in the operation are effective and timely.

3.5. Communications with the public are courteous, non-confrontational and culturally respectful.

3.6. On completion of the operation, activities on the post-operation checklist are completed in a timely and efficient manner.

4. Report on the operation

4.1. Operational outcomes, intelligence information and any follow-up actions to be taken are reported to the supervising officer or other designated person as required by the agency.

4.2. Operation plan and actual outcomes are reviewed at a debriefing session and any recommendations for improvement or follow-up are given.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• analysing and applying workplace information to planning
• analysing operational requirements to identify hazards, risks and controls
• controlling or minimising occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental risks
• preparing operational plans
• reporting on patrol operation
• selecting, fitting and using of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the operation
• verbally communicating with team members.

Literacy skills used for :

• developing operation plan
• interpreting weather reports and other information relevant to the operation.

Numeracy skills used for :

• operating global positioning system (GPS)
• speed and distance calculations to estimate fuel usage and time.

Required knowledge 

• basic operational requirements of general and communications equipment used for local operations
• legislation relevant to the operation
• local environmental and cultural factors, including:

• environmental management strategies
• fisher and tourist behaviour in the region
• traditional methods of fishing
• flora and fauna species
• geographical features
• habitats
• historical information about the local community
• Indigenous land rights
• sacred and other cultural sites
• traditional cultural activities

• principles of equipment operation
• safety procedures and potential hazards associated with local operations, including the principles of hazard identification, risk analysis and risk minimisation
• the effect of external factors on local operations, including:

• fishing or marine activity
• seasonal factors
• tides and currents
• weather conditions.

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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• plan and conduct an operation safely and in accordance with agency procedures
• communicate effectively with team members and others
• review and report on outcomes.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• cultural activities relevant to the operation
• effect of weather and seasonal variations on operational outcomes
• hazards and risks associated with operational requirements
• operation of equipment used for local operations
• sites of cultural significance, including sacred sites relevant to the operation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

• directive for operation or work plan
• agency policies and procedures relevant to the operation
• operational and communications equipment
• weather forecasts, maps, charts and sources of information relevant to the development of an operational plan.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• examples of operational plans, reports and job sheets completed by the candidate
• observation of practical demonstration
• oral short-answer questioning
• practical exercise that simulates an operation.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.

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.

An operation  may include:

• data collection
• observation of fishers, vessels, marine resources and sacred or other cultural sites
• presenting information
• search and rescue.

Hazards and risks  may include:

• availability of emergency support in remote areas
• climatic conditions:

• temperature extremes
• wet weather and flooding
• wind, especially associated with cyclones, tornadoes and storms

• difficulty in maintaining control or safety of vessels at sea due to:

• tsunamis
• high or low tides
• poor visibility in a fog or storm
• sandbars
• swells
• inaccurate charts
• submerged objects

• dysfunctional communications and operational equipment due to:

• breakdown
• damage
• operator's insufficient skill

• immobilised, damaged or lost vehicles due to:

• accident
• boggy or rugged terrain
• collision
• fire
• inaccurate maps
• insufficient fuel
• mechanical breakdown

• officers on the operation:

• not fully competent in navigation skills
• not fully competent in operation of the vehicle or vessel.

Controls  may include:

• agency/organisation policies and procedures for operations, including those in remote areas
• appropriately trained officers
• regular maintenance of vessels, vehicles and equipment
• weather forecasts.

Resources  may include:

• communications equipment
• equipment for making observations and recording locations, including:

• still cameras
• video cameras
• GPS

• intelligence
• maps or charts
• trained officers
• vessels and or vehicles.

Logistics  may include:

• planning timelines
• scheduling the operation, including day and month.

The operational plan  may include:

• briefing and debriefing sessions
• contingency plan that includes rescue and medi-vac considerations
• hazard identification, risk assessment and controls in place
• personnel involved and their roles
• post-operation checklist
• pre-operation checklist
• purpose or objectives
• relevant agency policies and procedures
• resources
• schedule of activities
• travel routes.

Unit sector 

Fisheries compliance

Co-requisite units 

Competency field