This competency standard applies to landscapers and landscape designers and covers the process of undertaking site surveys, mapping levels and issues of levels in gardens and using a magnetic compass.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Undertake the site survey

1.1. Survey items are determined from the existing plan or client brief.

1.2. Survey items and relevant landscape features are measured.

1.3. Measurements are taken and reduced with reference to the design.

1.4. Measurements are checked and recorded according to industry practice and documented procedures.

2. Read maps and plans

2.1. Current magnetic declinations and magnetic bearings are taken.

2.2. Differences between true and magnetic north and place north points on plans are determined.

2.3. Magnetic bearings to true north points are transferred on plans.

3. Record site details

3.1. Orientation and levels are recorded on a site plan.

3.2. Scale plan is produced for a garden design.

3.3. Plan of site is presented to the client.

Required skills

use survey equipment

map levels and issues of levels in gardens

use and care for relevant surveying equipment

booking and logging results

analyse surveying and levelling results

determine surveying protocols

capture survey data

maintain data records

exhibit professional work practices

produce scale drawings for designs and costings

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

current magnetic declinations and take magnetic bearings

transference of magnetic bearings to true north points on plans

terminology of surveying and levelling

different techniques for dealing with different garden shapes

differences between true and magnetic north and place north points on plans

map and plan reading.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

determine the survey items from a client brief

record the levels of survey items and site features

orient the landscape site

map the levels on a scale plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Survey equipment may include:

GPS instruments

automatic levels

laser levels

Staffs

Magnetic compass

Unit sector

Landscape

This unit contains employability skills.