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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Clarify the project activity or process and environmental management framework
  2. Identify environmental issues for project activity or process
  3. Assess environmental risks and impacts
  4. Evaluate alternatives
  5. Report findings

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/or requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

federal legislation, such as Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Australian Heritage Council Act, Native Title Act and National Environmental Protection Measures

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with land use, acquisition, planning and protection; environmental protection; cultural/heritage sites; vegetation management; nature conservation, wildlife/plant protection; water and 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)

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

workplace environmental management plans for specific sites and/or projects

workplace or regulator procedures for sampling, monitoring and in-field testing; procedures and tools for assessment of environmental risks and impacts

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.

Project activity or process includes one or more of:

construction activities

plant operations

functions and processes relocating to new premises

changes in processes involving changes in use of products or generation of waste

production of new materials

any work activities with significant risk to, or potential impact on, the environment

and where risk/impact assessment of these is consistent with the role of an environmental officer working under the supervision of an environmental scientist, engineer or planner.

Organisation environmental management documents include one or more of:

notice of intention, initial advice statement

environmental impact assessment

environmental impact statement

public environment report

environmental management plans for specific sites and projects

site environmental management procedures and actions for specific issues

site environmental management action checklists

quality verification checklists

work method statements

job hazard analyses

reporting forms.

Site or project environment includes one or more of:

physical, biological and social components

land uses and tenures

climate

geology, landforms and soils

surface and groundwater, water quality and hydrology

air quality and dust

noise

pollutants and contaminants

vegetation, plant diseases, clearance and weeds

animal life, habitats, mobility and threats

rare and endangered species

community infrastructure

ethnography of area

archaeology

regional and local demography.

Environmental issues include one or more of:

physical issues, such as:

significant land disturbance, erosion, subsidence and instability

alteration of water courses

effects on quality, quantity or availability of surface water or groundwater

salination of water or land

acid drainage

heavy metal contamination

impact on coastal or marine landforms

ecological issues, such as:

direct impacts on vegetation

loss of habitat

displacement of fauna

impact on ecological processes and linkages

loss of biodiversity

potential for spreading plant diseases and noxious weeds

impact of toxic or hazardous materials

creation of new habitats

land use issues, such as:

major changes of land use

compatibility of development with surrounding land uses

preclusion of alternative land use (e.g. conservation or recreation)

increased demand on scarce natural resources

creation of new water storage and supplies

creation of opportunities for alternative beneficial land uses

social issues, such as:

influx of population

impact on health and safety

changes in community character

creation of employment

increased revenue for local communities

community and cultural aspects

infrastructure issues, such as load on existing roads

impact on services, including utilities, health, education and community services.

WHS and environmental management 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:

evaluating the risks or impacts associated with at least two (2) different project activities or processes and identifying appropriate environmental management actions and/or alternatives in each case

interpreting and applying relevant legislative, regulatory, workplace/site requirements

researching and describing the project activity/process and local environment and identifying potential environmental issues

applying relevant workplace procedures and/or site environmental management plans when conducting assessments of environmental risks or impacts

using computer software (e.g. databases, spreadsheets and specialist programs) to process and present data

listening and communicating effectively with others, such as clients, environmental scientists/engineers and community members

identifying significant environment risks and/or impacts for specified project activities or processes

logically assessing environmental risks and impacts using given assessment criteria, tools and/or checklists

evaluating existing methods for controlling risks and minimising impacts at the site

identifying possible amendments to project activities, alternative processes or improved environmental management actions to minimise risks or impacts

identifying feasible and economically viable solutions and documenting the case for adopting them

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

presenting the findings and details of environmental risk assessment process to stakeholders

reporting the outcomes of environmental risk assessment of project activities or processes in the required format and expected timeframe

working safely.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

environmental terms, concepts and principles relevant to project activities or processes

awareness of environmental management documentation (e.g. environmental impact assessment, environmental impact assessment and public environment report) and environmental assessment process required for new major projects or developments

awareness of roles, functions and responsibilities of environmental officers, environmental scientists, engineers and planners, and regulators

relevant legislation, regulations, licences and permit requirements for operations at site

workplace environmental management framework of policy, procedures and management plans for site

details of project activities or process phases

typical kinds of impacts of project activities or processes on the physical and ecological environment, infrastructure, land use, social issues and community values

workplace procedures for identifying/assessing and controlling hazards/risks/impacts associated with project activities or processes on site

workplace project planning, management and reporting requirements

relevant hazards, health and safety requirements and workplace safe work procedures.