Description

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to apply a range of methods and technologies to conduct environmental sampling, testing and monitoring in most industry sectors and to assist environmental scientists, engineers and planners with site assessment, minimising environmental impacts of processes and remediation/rehabilitation of sites.

Job roles/employment outcomes
The MSS50211 Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology provides technical training across a range of industry sectors, such as:
environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing (e.g. air, odour, water, soil and noise)
geotechnical services
natural resource management
occupational hygiene monitoring (e.g. air, noise and radiation)
water supply and treatment, storm and wastewater management
solid and hazardous waste management
site remediation and rehabilitation
resource efficiency (e.g. energy, water and waste auditing).

Job roles targeted by this qualification include environmental officers, environmental protection officers, environmental compliance officers, environmental technicians and similar personnel employed by enterprises and Commonwealth, state/territory/local governments in the sectors listed above. These personnel often work with environmental scientists, engineers, planners and community groups to manage and conserve natural systems and resources, minimise pollution, remediate/rehabilitate sites and trial practical strategies to protect and improve ecosystems. Their work often involves environmental monitoring and technology, internal auditing and continuous improvements to enhance compliance and minimise the environmental impacts of processes. Government employees may be more involved with external inspection and auditing of enterprises and negotiating appropriate responses to instances of non-compliance.

In broad terms, they may:
plan and schedule work and project activities (e.g. inspections and field surveys) and determine equipment, materials and consumable requirements
develop site or field plans/instructions for specific environmental management activities
assist with the design of environmental monitoring programs for sites/areas
contribute to the assessment of environmental impacts of development and human activities
undertake part or total ecological studies for a site
conduct site inspections and full or part environmental audits of processes
conduct field surveys of flora, fauna, water and soils
collect samples/specimens, such as air, odour, water, groundwater, waste, soil residues, noise, biological, microbiological and geological
set up, test, conduct calibration checks and operate a wide range of environmental monitoring equipment, field test instruments, data loggers, and/or remote sensing stations
troubleshoot, repair, maintain and/or adapt instrumentation
conduct tests/measurements involving air, odour, water, groundwater, waste, soil residues, noise, microbiological, geological and meteorological samples
collect, process and present spatial/attribute data using global positioning systems (GPS) and geographical information systems (GIS)
analyse data to identify trends, unexpected results and report conclusions
provide environmental management information to site personnel, enterprises, industry organisations and communities
provide environmental management information to site personnel and community members
conduct technical training and work skill instruction
suggest strategies to minimise environmental impacts and for the remediation or rehabilitation of sites/areas
explain inspection/audit findings, negotiate outcomes with enterprise representatives, and issue notices, as necessary
prepare costings and proposals, manage the finances for small projects, and report and present project progress and outcomes.

Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing an environmental officer role in most industry sectors.

Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.