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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for data collection
  2. Safely collect GPS and environmental data
  3. Report data and finalise documentation

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, Australian Heritage Council Act, Native Title Act and National Environmental Protection Measures

state/territory government legislation and local government by-laws, policies, regulations and plans dealing with land use; environmental protection; cultural/heritage sites; vegetation management; nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection; water management; soil conservation; pollution and contaminated sites; fisheries, forestry and mining operations

legislation, standards and codes of practice for work health and safety (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 procedures for sampling, monitoring and in-field testing; recording, processing, presenting and reporting data

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.

Background information includes one or more of:

site or project history and client history

records of consultations with stakeholders

site access protocols and permits

site utilities/services (e.g. water, sewer, electricity and gas)

maps (e.g. road, topographical and survey marks)

existing data sets (e.g. vegetation, topography, soils and regional ecosystem maps)

hazards and safety risks

emergency plans and safety procedures.

Specifications include one or more of:

purpose of data collection

detailed descriptions of spatial and environmental data requirements, such as:

positional data, metadata, calculated information

environmental measurements

sampling

data processing requirements

data quality requirements

data presentation/reporting requirements.

Equipment includes one or more of:

any handheld GPS receiver

sampling and environmental monitoring equipment

communications equipment (e.g. radio and phone)

safety equipment.

Project parameters include one or more of:

coordinate systems

datum

display formats

information displays

data outputs, formats and protocols.

Verifying environmental data includes one or more of:

comparison with expected or reference values

conducting repeat tests, and using duplicate samples or locations.

Required documentation includes one or more of:

map of GPS data locations

sampling, monitoring or in-field test data and results

records of vehicle/equipment use

records of time spent and approved expenditure

emails and correspondence

records of site consultations

final report/briefing.

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:

collecting spatial and discrete environmental data that meets specifications on at least two (2) occasions

accurately interpreting instructions, specifications, procedures and manuals

planning and organising resources for efficient data collection

reading and interpreting maps and aerial photos, including relating direction and position on ground to visual representations

setting up and operating handheld GPS equipment and environmental instruments correctly

using computer equipment to reliably collect, manipulate and file spatial/environmental data

recognising and recording atypical data

using basic troubleshooting and problem-solving methods to check/address atypical data

checking the acceptability of environmental data using specified quality tests or procedures

presenting results and preparing technical reports in accordance with workplace procedures

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

working safely for the protection of self and others.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

environmental terms, concepts and principles relevant to data collection

legislative requirements, standard methods and/or workplace procedures governing data collection, processing and reporting

operating principles of GPS equipment and environmental instruments used in job role, including set-up and optimisation methods and equipment limitations

uncertainty, accuracy and precision of measurements and data quality requirements

data formats

methods for data processing, manipulation and management

relevant hazards, health and safety and site environmental management requirements.