Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSS024015 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSS024015 - Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills and knowledge to read the landscape in terms of the physical and biological components of the environment and the ecological linkages in operation at a site. Personnel are required to apply basic principles of geomorphology, hydrology and ecology in a systematic, scientific appraisal of site condition. This requires sufficient knowledge of chemistry, physics, geology and biology to support a scientific approach to field ecology.This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as environmental monitoring, and sampling; environmental compliance, auditing and inspection; groundwater and clean water; water treatment, storm and wastewater management; solid and hazardous waste management; site remediation; management of contaminated sites; geotechnical services and civil engineering; and natural resource management.No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Environmental monitoring
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Finalise field study
  • Store all samples and data safely
  • Rehabilitate sampling sites to render them safe and minimise environmental impacts
  • Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures
  • Pack and safely transport all samples, equipment and supplies back to home base
  • Ensure dispatch of collected samples for subsequent analysis
  • Check serviceability of all equipment before storage
       
Element: Prepare for site inspection
  • Read and use maps, photos and related documentation to gain a preliminary understanding of site features
       
Element: Collect site-specific or regional data on expected flora, fauna, soils and climate
       
Element: Access and read site history and previous environmental or ecological studies
       
Element: Access and read all emergency plans, risk assessments, and safety and environmental management requirements associated with the field activities
       
Element: Access and read legislative and planning instruments applicable to current and future site usage
       
Element: Confirm site access requirements and identify potential site hazards
       
Element: Conduct initial site survey
  • Sketch, map or photograph the site
       
Element: Observe and record the surface geology and geomorphology of the site
       
Element: Observe and record hydrology of the site
       
Element: Observe and record the major flora of the site
       
Element: Observe and record evidence of site fauna
       
Element: Observe and record infrastructure and other modifications to the site
       
Element: Assess the potential for presence of cultural and indigenous heritage items and record findings
       
Element: Check for evidence of illegal or inappropriate activities
       
Element: Make an initial assessment of site condition
  • Use geomorphological and hydrological observations to describe surface condition and infer potential future impacts
       
Element: Make inferences on apparent ecological health of the site to plan for an initial ecological study of the site
       
Element: Determine the physical, chemical and biological parameters that would need to be measured and sampled during subsequent ecological appraisal of the site
       
Element: Prepare for field study
  • Identify and describe the biological and chemical components of interest, sampling areas and field techniques to be used
       
Element: Identify, obtain and check required equipment and materials required for field study
       
Element: Securely stow all field equipment in vehicle to prevent damage in transit
       
Element: Safely transport all field equipment to site and prepare it for use
       
Element: Perform a basic ecological field study of the site
  • Perform ecological sampling for abundance and diversity parameters using the general techniques of transects and quadrats
       
Element: Record descriptions of the habitat structure
       
Element: Perform sampling for simple population, demographic and age structure parameters
       
Element: Perform simple sampling and measurements on abiotic components
       
Element: Perform simple targeted species sampling
       
Element: Comply with legislation, policy, codes of practice and accepted workplace procedures
  • Store all samples and data safely
       
Element: Rehabilitate sampling sites to render them safe and minimise environmental impacts
       
Element: Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures
       
Element: Pack and safely transport all samples, equipment and supplies back to home base
       
Element: Ensure dispatch of collected samples for subsequent analysis
       
Element: Check serviceability of all equipment before storage
       
Element: Process and present field data
  • Summarise field data using simple calculations, graphs, tables and maps
       
Element: Write reports that include simple conclusions and interpretations based on raw or summarised data
       
Element: Maintain a safe work environment
  • Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE)
       
Element: Minimise the generation of waste
       
Element: Collect and dispose of all hazardous wastes safely
       

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Store all samples and data safely 
Rehabilitate sampling sites to render them safe and minimise environmental impacts 
Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures 
Pack and safely transport all samples, equipment and supplies back to home base 
Ensure dispatch of collected samples for subsequent analysis 
Check serviceability of all equipment before storage 
Read and use maps, photos and related documentation to gain a preliminary understanding of site features 
 
 
 
 
 
Sketch, map or photograph the site 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Use geomorphological and hydrological observations to describe surface condition and infer potential future impacts 
 
 
Identify and describe the biological and chemical components of interest, sampling areas and field techniques to be used 
 
 
 
Perform ecological sampling for abundance and diversity parameters using the general techniques of transects and quadrats 
 
 
 
 
Store all samples and data safely 
 
 
 
 
 
Summarise field data using simple calculations, graphs, tables and maps 
 
Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) 
 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS024015 - Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSS024015 - Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: