Application
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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
1. Analyse the system | 1.1 Identify, consult with and establish stakeholder needs 1.2 Research historic and current tree policies 1.3 Analyse statutory context of tree policies 1.4 Research tree management activities 1.5 Analyse industry tree policy models 1.6 Evaluate comparative tree policy methods and systems 1.7 Research policy and strategic information to inform and develop policy |
2. Define policy objectives | 2.1 Identify key management objectives and metrics, and establish benchmarks 2.2 Analyse existing policies, procedures and systems for compliance with policy planning requirements 2.3 Evaluate conflicting needs amongst stakeholders 2.4 Determine tree management strategies 2.5 Define strategic tree policy objectives of the organisation 2.6 Define organisational tree policy reflecting strategic objectives 2.7 Develop and communicate change management strategies 2.8 Make recommendations for policy options |
3. Define legal parameters | 3.1 Determine legal parameters, statutes and local planning laws affecting tree policy 3.2 Determine need for tree policy in compliance with statutory documents 3.3 Seek advice on legal implications of policy from legal representative |
4. Define context and limitations of tree policy | 4.1 Determine parameters of tree policy 4.2 Determine and record localised soil characteristics relevant to tree species and policy 4.3 Compile database of local and indigenous tree species 4.4 Compile database of introduced tree species suitable for inclusion in policy 4.5 Create list of preferred and desired species 4.6 Determine extent and type of tree data for inclusion in policy documentation 4.7 Set diversity goals of trees for policy |
5. Develop tree policy | 5.1 Develop tree policy to meet strategic objectives 5.2 Develop and communicate procedures to implement policy 5.3 Develop policy determinations for key elements of policy 5.4 Develop draft of strategic tree policy 5.5 Promote tree policy and expected outcomes to key stakeholders 5.6 Seek feedback from stakeholders 5.7 Review and amend policy 5.8 Develop tree policy documentation 5.9 Develop compliance programs in policy documentation 5.10 Implement strategies for continuous improvement |
6. Review tree policy implementation | 6.1 Publish final tree policy documentation 6.2 Use policy to guide development of operational tree management plans 6.3 Investigate and document implementation outcomes of policy 6.4 Provide feedback to key personnel and stakeholders 6.5 Monitor records for remedial action to improve performance 6.6 Modify policy and procedures according to feedback and performance outcomes |
Evidence of Performance
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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 Conditions
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.
Foundation Skills
Skill | Description |
Reading | Identify and interpret relevant information from complex texts, reports, maps and plans, including legislation, regulations, policies and procedures, to formulate a strategic view for the development of a tree policy |
Writing | Create detailed documents for recommendations and tree policy that include selecting appropriate conventions and stylistic devices to express precise meaning to the target audience Create and edit a database of trees using appropriate language, botanical references and characteristics |
Sectors
Arboriculture (ARB)