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 | Confirm scope of water quality management | 1.1 | Review legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project/program. |
| 1.2 | Review current water quality management plan, including objectives, known issues, specified management activities and any required changes. |
| 1.3 | Review previous water quality records and reports, if available. |
| 1.4 | Confirm that water quality monitoring sites, sampling and measurement methods, instrumentation and workplace procedures are in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines. |
| 1.5 | Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific outcomes and the roles of other key personnel. |
| 1.6 | Identify resources available to conduct water quality management activities. |
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2 | Organise water quality management activities | 2.1 | Develop a consolidated schedule to ensure all activities can be conducted efficiently with the available resources. |
| 2.2 | Develop checklists/clear work instructions to enable personnel to perform assigned tasks efficiently and with minimal errors. |
| 2.3 | Ensure that personnel who conduct monitoring and/or collect water samples are competent to undertake their assigned tasks. |
| 2.4 | Ensure water quality monitoring equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained and that adequate stocks of consumables are available. |
| 2.5 | Ensure water samples are handled in accordance with the sampling method and chain of custody requirements and dispatched promptly for analysis. |
| 2.6 | Conduct, or arrange for, regular site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of water quality management actions (if relevant to site/project/program). |
| 2.7 | Advise relevant personnel when specified water quality management actions are not being implemented effectively (if relevant to site/project/program). |
| 2.8 | Conduct, or arrange for, additional monitoring/inspections after atypical events, legitimate complaints or government requests. |
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3 | Verify water quality data | 3.1 | Identify relevant job instructions, data and technical records in workplace information management system. |
| 3.2 | Confirm that technical records provide sufficient information to ensure traceability/chain of custody for the monitoring activities involved. |
| 3.3 | Compare monitoring data with expected values and identify any outliers. |
| 3.4 | Inspect data records to identify any gaps and to check the integrity of data entry, transfers, alterations and calculations. |
| 3.5 | Notify manager when data is incomplete or contains significant errors, and clarify what action to take. |
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4 | Determine if results are acceptable and within expectation | 4.1 | Compare results with expected and/or relevant guideline values and identify any significant differences or trends. |
| 4.2 | Check the reliability of results by examining data or results from repeat measurements and/or tests of duplicate samples or other monitoring stations. |
| 4.3 | Assess the significance of any recorded observations of atypical environmental or meteorological conditions. |
| 4.4 | Check that all calculations are free from error. |
| 4.5 | Check that estimations of uncertainty are reasonable and consistent with the sampling method and relevant guidelines, if relevant. |
| 4.6 | Report results that meet workplace data quality standards and are consistent with expectations. |
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5 | Investigate/rectify unexpected or unacceptable results | 5.1 | Examine records of pre-use checks and calibration performance to ensure that the sampling equipment and/or monitoring/test instruments used meet specifications and workplace requirements. |
| 5.2 | Establish whether human, environmental and/or meteorological factors could have affected the reliability of results. |
| 5.3 | Check for obvious sources of interference that may have occurred during measurements or analysis of samples. |
| 5.4 | Retrieve stored samples (if available) and assess whether they are atypical or contaminated. |
| 5.5 | Arrange for control tests using the same or new samples to check unexpected results, if relevant. |
| 5.6 | Report unexpected results that meet workplace data quality standards. |
| 5.7 | Identify possible root causes of unacceptable results and appropriate preventative/corrective actions. |
| 5.8 | Report investigation outcomes and recommendations for improvements in accordance with workplace procedures. |
| 5.9 | Seek manager’s advice when challenges are beyond own technical competence or when input from environmental specialists may be required. |
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6 | Keep management informed about water quality performance | 6.1 | Provide regular reports about water quality, including instances of potential/actual non-conformance, incidents and the actions taken in each case. |
| 6.2 | Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in water quality monitoring or management in accordance with workplace procedures. |
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7 | Maintain water quality records | 7.1 | Ensure all water quality records are legible, accurate and satisfy workplace/legislative requirements. |
| 7.2 | Store water quality records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel in accordance with workplace procedures. |
| 7.3 | Regularly review water quality records to identify any significant trends and impacts. |
| 7.4 | Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of water quality records and resolve them promptly. |
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
planning and implementing the day-to-day water quality management activities for at least one (1) site, project or ongoing program
accessing, interpreting and applying relevant legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes, guidelines and manuals
explaining relevant water quality standards and management plans, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment operating procedures and workplace water quality management actions
verifying the accuracy and completeness of water quality data, results and technical records
using statistical tests (e.g. to determine data acceptability, estimate uncertainties, examine trends and infer basic relationships)
investigating unexpected or unacceptable water quality results in a logical and efficient manner to identify possible root causes
seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility
recommending appropriate preventative/corrective actions to control potential/actual non-conformances or incidents
responding effectively to complaints and requests for information
providing accurate, complete and timely reports of water quality performance and identifying opportunities for improvements
maintaining water quality records in accordance with legislative/licensing/workplace requirements
working safely and monitoring the safety of others.
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
water quality management terminology, concepts and principles used in job role
legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes and guidelines dealing with water quality
workplace water quality management plans and procedures, common water quality issues, control measures and mitigation/management actions
measurement parameters for waters, sediments or biota relevant to site/project/program
detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the samples, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment, materials and instrumentation used to generate the water quality data, including calibration, fault-finding and troubleshooting
expected values for water quality parameters, relevant ANZECC guidelines, and statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar
problem-solving techniques and cause analysis
impacts of common human, environmental and/or meteorological factors on data quality
sources of interference, uncertainty, limitations of methods and sources of variability
workplace procedures for identifying/assessing environmental risks/impacts, responding to complaints and environmental incidents, and record management and reporting water quality data
interpersonal communication, negotiation and conflict resolution techniques
relevant hazards, health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures.
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 water quality management data files, results and records verified by the candidate
review of work schedules, checklists/clear work instructions, water quality performance reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from manager and/or site personnel regarding the candidate’s ability to safely coordinate day-to-day water quality management activities
oral and/or written questions to assess the candidate’s understanding of procedures governing the validation of data, acceptability of data/results, sources of water quality data variability, interferences and uncertainty, and relevant preventative or corrective actions
analysis of case studies/reports of water quality management issues and incidents relevant to the candidate’s job role.
Access is required to all instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit including, but not limited to:
site/project/program history
relevant legislation, codes and standards; workplace environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures, checklists and equipment manuals; sampling methods and description of monitoring set-up
water quality data sets, records and reports, computer and relevant software or workplace information management system
water sampling and testing equipment.
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.