List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1 | Review existing site and/or locality information | 1.1 | Confirm the scope of the proposed project activity or process and details of the site and/or locality. |
| 1.2 | Identify relevant legislative, regulatory and/or planning requirements. |
| 1.3 | Access and interpret available, relevant information about the site and/or locality. |
| 1.4 | Summarise existing data and relate it to legislative, planning or other statutory requirements. |
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2 | Identify relevant environmental indicators for site and/or locality | 2.1 | Determine which environmental indicators and/or statutory environmental quality concentration limits are relevant to the proposed project activity, process and/or requirements of the site/locality. |
| 2.2 | Identify relevant core environmental indicators and collect and collate data. |
| 2.3 | Identify relevant statutory environmental quality concentration limits and collect and collate data. |
| 2.4 | Identify additional site/locality/project specific environmental indicators and collect and collate data, if available. |
| 2.5 | Identify gaps in available data and refer to supervisor for further action. |
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3 | Analyse data to establish site condition | 3.1 | Ensure compatibility of data sets and seek advice, as necessary. |
| 3.2 | Compare compatible data with core environmental indicators, established standards, regulatory limits, and statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar. |
| 3.3 | Apply relevant environmental chemistry and biodiversity concepts and principles to estimate the ‘environmental health’ of the site/locality. |
| 3.4 | Identify significant trends in environmental data and correlations and differences with relevant indicators. |
| 3.5 | Make an assessment of site condition. |
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4 | Report findings | 4.1 | Report the assessment of environmental condition in the required format and expected timeframe. |
| 4.2 | Brief supervisor and/or stakeholders about the environmental assessment process and outcomes. |
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.
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.
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.