Assessment Requirements for MSS025001 Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for MSS025001 Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSS025001A Assist with assessing site environmental indicators

Performance Evidence

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

locating and analysing relevant environmental data/reports/indicators and/or limits and using appropriate scientific concepts/principles to provide a systematic, reliable appraisal of the environmental condition for at least one (1) site or locality

demonstrating an understanding of the legislative and planning framework that applies to environmental site appraisal

researching, reviewing and concisely documenting site environmental history using appropriate scientific terminology

identifying and compiling/collating available data that is potentially relevant to assessment of site environmental pollution and/or degradation

identifying relevant environmental indicators for the site and/or locality

using computer software (e.g. databases, spreadsheets and specialist programs) to process and present data

analysing available data in comparison with core environmental indicators, established standards, regulatory limits, and statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar and determining the significance of results for site/project

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

presenting the findings and details of environmental assessment process to stakeholders

reporting the environmental condition of a site and/or locality in the required format and expected timeframe.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

scientific terminology relevant to job role, use of environmental indicators, assessment of environmental pollution and environmental degradation

fundamental concepts and principles in chemistry, physics, geology and biology to support a scientific, systematic approach to the evaluation of environmental degradation

fundamentals of environmental chemistry, including:

natural and modified hydrologic cycle

aquatic chemistry in natural and polluted waters

water pollutants, such as heavy metals, inorganics, organics, nutrients and pesticides

atmosphere and its composition, structure and circulation

atmospheric stability and instability, such as lapse rates and inversions

atmospheric pollutants, such as particulates, inorganic air pollutants and organic air pollutants

awareness of climate change science

soil chemistry

hazardous wastes and toxicological chemistry

concepts of biodiversity stresses, including:

land clearing and loss of habitat

threatened and vulnerable species and ecological communities

introduced species

specific legislation, strategies, policies and codes of practice related to environmental pollution and biodiversity

relevant hazards, health, safety and environment requirements.

Assessment Conditions

Judgement 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).

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of report/presentation of the assessment of the environmental condition of a site or locality conducted by the candidate

feedback from supervisors that the candidate consistently follows workplace procedures when conducting site assessments and produces work outputs within agreed timeframes

oral and/or written questions to check the candidate’s knowledge of the environmental legislative and planning framework, processes used for assessing the environmental condition of sites and relevant environmental science concepts and principles.

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

State of the Environment Reports, national environment protection measures, ANZECC Core Environmental Indicators documentation

environmental databases (electronic, web-based and hardcopy)

national and state/territory environmental management strategies, guidelines and regulations

documentation, including site information, environmental management plans, codes of practice and workplace procedures.

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 competency 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 an organisation providing environmental monitoring, management or technology related services about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Links

MSA Training Package Implementation Guides - http://mskills.org.au/training-packages/info/