Elements and Performance Criteria
- Confirm details of assigned activities with supervisor
- Clarify the scope and objectives of assigned activities, constraints and wetland components involved and any conservation measures or management plans in place.
- Identify regulations, standards, guidelines and workplace procedures that apply to assigned activities.
- Clarify the required outputs, timeframe, available resources and stakeholder involvement.
- Confirm assessment indices and data collection plan details for target wetland.
- Clarify the use of survey proformas, data collection forms and/or field identification guides, as necessary.
- Source and assess available wetland data
- Locate and obtain existing wetland data and review its relevance and accuracy.
- Locate external sources of relevant data sets and assess their availability, price, value and limitations.
- Obtain selected data sets in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Use available data to identify known wetland boundaries, characteristics, condition and any environmental issues relevant to the study.
- Identify any significant information gaps.
- Plan and organise assigned field activities
- Analyse field activities to identify related tasks and plan efficient sequences.
- Identify risks, safety and environmental requirements associated with field activities.
- Assemble required field equipment and materials and check that they are fit for purpose.
- Liaise with relevant personnel to explain the scope and purpose of field activities, organise site access and obtain permits, as necessary.
- Review work plan in response to new information, changed circumstances or instructions from appropriate personnel.
- Update work plan and communicate changes to appropriate personnel, as necessary.
- Conduct wetland survey and monitoring activities
- Observe and record wetland characteristics and evidence of disturbance using survey proformas, field identification guides and digital photography, as appropriate.
- Collect reliable point positional data and attribute environmental data/samples for each location in accordance with data collection plan.
- Verify any existing geographic information system (GIS) mapping of wetland location/type.
- Collect representative water, soil and/or (micro)biological samples using specified sampling methods and equipment.
- Obtain valid and reliable in-situ measurements using specified test methods and equipment.
- Ensure that monitoring data/samples are collected at the same locations and during similar seasonal/climatic conditions.
- Finalise field work
- Contribute to assessment of wetland condition
- Review field observations, measurements and/or results of laboratory analyses to identify significant trends and/or problems with data.
- Use given formulae and tables to assign scores, parameter values, index values and health index/rating, where appropriate.
- Analyse data relating to wetland characteristics, existing conditions and management values, as required.
- Identify environmental issues that may impact on current wetland management objectives/practices.
- Report findings using a format and style that suits their intended use and in accordance with workplace guidelines.
- Communicate results within the specified time and in accordance with workplace confidentiality and security guidelines.
- Maintain a safe work environment