Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Work within Australia’s environmental management framework
  2. Work within organisation’s structure and culture
  3. Work in accordance with organisation’s agreements and legislative requirements
  4. Provide environmental technical services
  5. Organise daily work efficiently
  6. Communicate/liaise effectively with customers, contractors and stakeholders
  7. Accept responsibility for quality of own work
  8. Identify own learning needs

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.

Legislation, regulations, standards, codes, workplace procedures and requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

federal legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, International Conventions and National Environmental Protection Measures

state/territory government legislation and local government by-laws, policies, regulations and plans dealing with land use, cultural/heritage sites, vegetation management, biodiversity management, water and water management, pollution and contaminated sites

legislation, standards and codes of practice for WHS and handling of dangerous goods

Australian and international standards covering environmental management, such as AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental Management Basic Set

registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements

workplace environmental management plans and procedures for specific sites and/or activities (e.g. sampling, monitoring, construction and mining)

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), work schedules, recording and reporting procedures, equipment manuals and warranties; safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures; waste minimisation, containment, processing and safe disposal procedures

Environmental technical services include one or more of:

routine site sampling of water, air, soil and/or noise

packaging, labelling, storing and transporting samples

routine site measurements that involve a narrow range of variables and/or easily recognised acceptable ranges

straightforward field surveys

entering of data into databases, checking of data quality and reporting results

cleaning of equipment and/or vehicles

housekeeping of work areas

Sustainable energy principles and work practices include one or more of:

examining work practices that involve excessive use of electricity, gas and/or water

switching off equipment when not in use

regularly cleaning filters

recycling and reusing materials wherever feasible

minimising waste

Business ethics requirements include:

following workplace policies and procedures (e.g. employment conditions, ethics, copyright, intellectual property, privacy, quality and customer service)

behaving honestly and openly

respecting others and treating them with courtesy and impartiality

working diligently and responsibly

ensuring confidentiality of information such as client identification, data and results

WHS requirements include:

compliance with relevant federal/state/territory WHS legislation at all times

assuming that samples are potentially hazardous and applying standard precautions

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and state/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:

interpreting workplace information relevant to everyday work, such as legislative, employment, security, confidentiality and reporting requirements; site agreements and protocols; and work instructions

following procedures for working safely, minimising environmental impacts and responding to emergency incidents and accidents

planning and performing environmental technical tasks safely and efficiently either alone or in teams

safely using, maintaining and storing equipment/materials and disposing of waste

using effective communication skills to give and receive information, address differing opinions and avoid or resolve work conflicts

seeking advice when tasks, inquiries, problems or disputes are beyond own area of responsibility or technical competence

accepting responsibility for the quality of work outputs and contributing to quality improvements

identifying career options and own learning needs.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

key features of Australia’s environmental management framework; relevant legislation, industry codes of practice and Australian Standards relevant to job role

organisation’s business objectives, sites, product and/or service range, structure and reporting lines

role of the organisation’s environmental function (e.g. services, products, technology and compliance)

common features of job role statements and position descriptions for environmental technicians

details of own job role requirements, rights and responsibilities

basic ethical values and principles, such as respect for the law, responsibility, courtesy, diligence and confidentiality

name and function of equipment, materials and other resources used to perform environmental technical tasks in job role

workplace policies and procedures that govern own employment and personal work; health, safety and environment

relevant hazards, safe work practices and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for job role.