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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Confirm survey requirements with senior staff
  2. Design field survey activities
  3. Identify resources and supervise pre-survey checks
  4. Supervise field survey activities
  5. Supervise close-down of field activities

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian, national and international standards, guidelines and codes covering labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; and environmental management

national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and occupational protective equipment

government policy and regulations covering environmental management, sustainable development and impact assessment, and environmental protection measures

industry-specific codes, regulations and guidelines, such as animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Orders) Regulations and Import Guidelines

standard methods for conducting field monitoring and surveys, specific environmental standards, survey plans, site-specific requirements, stakeholder consultation protocols, permits for access to land (e.g. Aboriginal reserves), and wildlife capture and handling

workplace documents, such as ethics committee approval, standard operating procedures (SOPs), data quality procedures, equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks, calibration and maintenance schedules, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures, safety and accident/injury/emergency plans, survey/laboratory schedules, workplace recording and reporting procedures, and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

Field survey activities

Field survey activities, but are not limited to, include one or more of:

climate and meteorology

geology, soils and geomorphology

hydrology and water quality

noise

land resources, vegetation, wildlife and conservation

land uses, agriculture, forestry, mining and recreation

Clients and stakeholders

Clients and stakeholders include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

Commonwealth, state/territory and local government agencies

organisations with monitoring and/or survey responsibilities

regulatory authorities

private companies

developers

land owners and leaseholders

The purpose or objective of the field survey

The purpose or objective of field surveys include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

part of workplace environmental management plan

statutory requirements

environmental impact assessment for major development

environment audit

pollution control activity

general environmental and ecological surveys

research studies

Administrative requirements and approvals

Administrative requirements and approvals include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

travel requisitions

authority for use of vehicles and equipment

insurance

permits

Field procedures

Field procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

sampling

field testing (validated and authorised)

animal trapping (and release), tagging and keeping

emergency response, safety and survival aspects

data collection, analysis and reporting

protection of the environment

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Performance Evidence

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

designing, organising and supervising at least one (1) complex environmental field survey

confirming the survey purpose, objectives and resource requirements

selecting appropriate field survey methods, equipment, instruments and data quality procedures

assessing risks and implementing appropriate safety and emergency procedures

developing an approved work program with details of key survey activities, timetable, staff roles and responsibilities

identifying all necessary supplies, equipment, instruments and vehicles

completing all survey plans and administrative requirements accurately and within the specified timeframe

clearly explaining the individual roles, responsibilities and specific tasks of staff within the work program

overseeing the checking, cleaning, storage and transport of all supplies, equipment and instruments to and from site

managing day-to-day survey activities efficiently in consultation with staff

modifying existing field survey protocols and adapting field activities to suit changing circumstances

communicating and negotiating effectively with staff and stakeholders to resolve problems or conflicts

overseeing the secure storage of all field data

reporting survey results, any anomalies and recommendations in accordance with workplace procedures

following workplace safety procedures and hazard control measures for the protection of self and others.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

general principles of environmental planning and assessment, and environmental protection

environmental field survey terminology, principles, practices and techniques relevant to job role

workplace data quality procedures, data recording and storage methods relevant to job role

current developments in field instrumentation, survey equipment and communication systems relevant to job role

typical purpose and objectives of the complex environmental field surveys, including:

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

typical field survey drivers and constraints, such as:

political agendas, social and economic issues

new field survey protocols or codes of practice

recent judicial decisions

recent environmental impact assessments or audits

media or public concerns

field safety or accident/incident issues

competencies and availability of staff

time available to design and implement field activities

rights and responsibilities of employers and employees when conducting field activities, such as legal/regulatory requirements, risk management, safety and emergency management, and environmental protection

typical field survey problems, such as:

unexpected restriction on access to sites

seasonal conditions

equipment failure or loss, failure to bring critical equipment

communication failure/difficulties

unforseen environment impacts

contact with hazardous wastes

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements