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. Scope project with supervisor
  2. Prepare project plan in consultation with supervisor
  3. Review project methodology
  4. Execute project plan and analyse outcomes
  5. Report project progress and outcomes

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, acquisition, planning and protection; environmental protection; cultural/heritage protection; vegetation management; nature conservation and 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 (e.g. AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental Management Basic Set)

industry guidelines and codes, such as state and territory regulator (e.g. EPA) sampling and testing manuals, and Australian Dangerous Goods Code

registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements

site plans, maps and specifications; methods and procedures for sampling and in-field testing to meet workplace, client and/or regulatory/certifying body requirements; client sampling schemes and sampling plans; 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; supplier catalogue and handbooks; 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

emergency plans and safety procedures

site access protocols and permits

maps (road and topographical)

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

legislative/regulatory requirements

workplace environmental management plans for site

workplace, regulatory or standard methods/procedures for environmental sampling, monitoring or in-field testing

manufacturer information or manuals for environmental equipment

relevant case studies and good practice models.

Environmental project work includes collecting and presenting data relating to one or more of:

outdoor air quality

noise

water quality, surface water, environmental flows, groundwater and catchment studies, and hydrological surveys

occupational hygiene (e.g. air quality, noise and radiation)

ecology studies

soil surveys, geotechnical surveys

contaminated site management (with appropriate risk analysis and supervision)

land management

coastal management

wetland management

stormwater management

energy technologies and services

waste management.

Environmental measurements include one or more of:

conducting in-field sampling and testing

conducting flora and/or fauna surveys

conducting soil surveys and soil profiling at a site

commissioning or modifying field equipment or instruments

establishing or modifying environmental monitoring stations

growth of species of environmental interest under controlled conditions

remediation trials

laboratory testing of environmental samples.

Project plans include one or more of:

scope, objectives, work breakdown structure

sampling/testing/monitoring/survey methods

available resources (e.g. equipment and personnel), specific roles and responsibilities of participants

budget and cost estimates

data quality requirements and assurance procedures

risk analysis and control measures, safety requirements and related work procedures

stakeholders and consultation procedures

milestones, output/project deliverables and their acceptance criteria

project management procedures covering planning, risk analysis, communications and reporting

project management software and tools, such as Gantt and program and evaluation review technique (PERT) charts, critical path method, and records of costs and inputs.

Safety procedures and control measures include one or more of:

use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls and safety boots

use of specified safe work procedures for tasks

‘stay with vehicle’ and other survival techniques

regular communication schedule

use of global positioning system (GPS), maps and aerial photos

handling, storage and disposal of all hazardous materials/waste in accordance with SDS, labels, workplace procedures, codes and regulations.

Mathematical/statistical/ graphical methods and software include one or more of:

determination of linear, logarithmic, exponential and power relationships

determination of regression lines and correlation coefficients

uncertainty calculations

frequency and probability plots

parametric statistical tools, such as t-test, z-test, binomial and analysis of variance (ANOVA)

non-parametric statistical tools, such as Chi-square test

use of spreadsheets and databases.

Project documentation includes one or more of:

sampling, monitoring, survey or in-field test data and results

records of equipment use, time spent and approved expenditure

emails and correspondence, records of consultations

progress reports

final reports/briefings

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:

scoping, planning and conducting at least one (1) small scale, low risk, measurement-based environmental project (either individually, or as part of a team)

researching background information for the project to inform selection of sampling/test/measurement methods and project methodology

interpreting and applying relevant legislative/regulatory requirements, workplace procedures, test and sampling methods

analysing project requirements and preparing a draft plan

conducting trials to develop/refine a feasible and efficient plan

using available project management procedures and tools to develop plans and monitor/report progress

obtaining reliable environmental data using agreed sampling/test/measurement methods

processing and analysing results using relevant mathematical, statistical, and/or graphical methods

presenting measurement results in the specified format (units, precision and uncertainty)

evaluating results and drawing logical conclusions about quality and/or compliance with legislative/regulatory requirements

seeking advice/assistance when difficulties are beyond scope of responsibility or technical competence

critically evaluating the project progress, processes, measurement methodology and outputs against agreed performance criteria and identifying opportunities for improvement

providing progress/final reports and project outputs that meet the required quality standard and are delivered within the agreed timeframe

following procedures for working safely and minimising environmental impacts and waste.


Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

relevant environmental and measurement terms, concepts and principles

legislative/regulatory/workplace requirements that apply to assigned project activities

workplace and/or regulator sampling, monitoring and testing procedures that apply to assigned project activities

basic project management principles and tools for project planning and monitoring of timelines, expenditure and performance

basic techniques for achieving effective communication, teamwork and cooperation

basic techniques for troubleshooting, problem solving and conflict resolution

workplace project planning, management and reporting requirements

workplace procedures for identifying/assessing and controlling hazards/risks associated with project activities

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