This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and review tree policies for the strategic management of trees within an organisational and legal planning framework.

The unit applies to individuals with broad theoretical and technical knowledge for the strategic management of trees. They have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills and demonstrate autonomy and judgement for a defined area of responsibility, undertaking complex work with broad parameters to provide specialist advice and functions.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements are to this unit at the time of publication.

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has reviewed at least two strategic tree policies and has developed at least one strategic tree policy.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

identified, consulted with and established stakeholder needs

researched historic and current tree policies

analysed statutory and policy context of tree policies

researched tree management activities

analysed current industry tree policy models

evaluated comparative tree methodologies and systems

researched current policy and strategic information for policy development

identified key management objectives and management metrics and established benchmarks

analysed existing policies, procedures and systems for compliance with policy planning requirements

evaluated stakeholder needs and analysed conflicts

determined tree management strategies

defined strategic organisational policy objectives

defined strategic objectives of the tree policy

developed and communicated change management strategies

made recommendations for policy options

determined legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws

determined impact of statutory documents on tree policy

sought legal advice on implications of tree policy

determined parameters of policy

determined and recorded soil characteristics relevant to policy

compiled a database of at least 20 tree species, detailing intensive tree profiles and attributes affected under the policy. The database must include:

preferred and desired species highly suitable for local use to be included under the policy

the location of species

taxonomic characteristics of each species

edaphic and environmental preferences and limitations of the trees selected

a mix of local, indigenous and exotic tree species must be included

determined extent and type of tree data to be included in policy documentation

set goals for tree diversity for the policy

developed tree policy to meet strategic objectives

developed and communicated procedures to implement policy

developed policy determinations for key elements of policy, which must include:

hazard identification and mitigation

significant trees

tree selection and tree replacement strategies

street tree planting

tree removal

tree inspections and assessments

tree pruning operations, including power line clearance

habitat protection

infrastructure protection

pest and disease control

developed draft of strategic tree policy

promoted tree policy and expected outcomes to key stakeholders

sought feedback from stakeholders

reviewed and amended policy

developed tree policy documentation

developed compliance programs in policy documentation

implemented strategies for continuous improvement.

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

organisational tree policies their use and structure, including:

value and purpose of reviewing historic and current tree policies

models for the design of tree policies

influences of current and historic tree management activities

setting management objectives for trees, including:

management metrics

developing and working with industry benchmarks

setting strategic objectives for trees for organisations and policies

key stakeholders and their influences on tree policies, including:

identifying key stakeholders and their needs

assessing and evaluating stakeholder input and values

analysing and developing tree management strategies

tree policies and the legal framework, including:

legal parameters

impact of statutes on trees and policy development

local planning laws and their impact on tree policy development

compliance with policy planning requirements

legal implications of policies

seeking legal advice

policy design and styles

local environment and tree selection for policy development, including:

edaphic and environmental preferences and limitations

rainfall infiltration and runoff

local and introduced tree species and their performance for inclusion in tree policies

regional implication of tree selection

taxonomic characteristics

database development for tree species, including:

programs used for database design

structure and use of databases

data input of tree inventory and tree profiles

key elements for policy determination, including:

hazard identification and mitigation

the significance of trees from an environmental, cultural or historic perspective

tree selection and use in the landscape

tree replacement strategy

street tree planting and effect on the urban landscape

tree removal and tree protection issues

tree inspections and assessments

tree pruning operations, infrastructure protection and power line clearance

environmental considerations and habitat protection

pest and diseases and their control

communications strategies for seeking and providing feedback on draft policies

developing, documenting and reviewing draft policies, including:

compiling and organising policy materials into a structure policy design

role and design of compliance programs

the continuous improvement process in policy development

record keeping, reporting and policy development.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

access to an organisation requiring strategic tree policy development, or environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

computer with word processing, statistical and database software

specifications:

procedures and processes used for the design of strategic tree policies

two strategic tree policies stipulated in the performance evidence

relationships:

organisation.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. In particular, assessors must have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Arboriculture (ARB)