Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What gravity fed irrigation systems may be relevant to this standard?
Flood irrigation systems may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another. Gravity fed systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What environmental considerations relate to this standard?
Environmental considerations may include efficient operation of the system to conserve water by identifying and repairing leaks, avoidance of over watering, and even distribution of water to targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
These may include systems and procedures for the safe operation of irrigation equipment and to ensure protection against injury when working with pumps, outlets and other system equipment, the prevention of electrical type injury, manual handling, and procedures for working outdoors including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What monitoring activities might be relevant to this standard?
Monitoring activities may include, but not be limited to, drainage, rainfall, air temperature, frost risk, water quality, and irrigation system maintenance requirements.

How might data be collected?
Data collection may include, but not be limited to, direct methods (e.g. physical appearance and feel, rain gauge), or indirect methods (e.g.. tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests, weather reports and forecasts). Data may be recorded on graphs and charts, on paper and/or electronically.

What gravity fed irrigation systems may be relevant to this standard?
Flood irrigation systems may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another. Gravity fed systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What environmental considerations relate to this standard?
Environmental considerations may include efficient operation of the system to conserve water by identifying and repairing leaks, avoidance of over watering, and even distribution of water to targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
These may include systems and procedures for the safe operation of irrigation equipment and to ensure protection against injury when working with pumps, outlets and other system equipment, the prevention of electrical type injury, manual handling, and procedures for working outdoors including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What monitoring activities might be relevant to this standard?
Monitoring activities may include, but not be limited to, drainage, rainfall, air temperature, frost risk, water quality, and irrigation system maintenance requirements.

How might data be collected?
Data collection may include, but not be limited to, direct methods (e.g. physical appearance and feel, rain gauge), or indirect methods (e.g.. tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests, weather reports and forecasts). Data may be recorded on graphs and charts, on paper and/or electronically.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in conducting gravity fed irrigation of a set of fields requires evidence that a person can plan and co-ordinate irrigation activities, brief, monitor and direct irrigation work crews, and record irrigation activities, including personnel hours and activities.
The skills and knowledge required to conduct gravity fed irrigation of a set of fields must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if gravity fed irrigation of a set of fields is conducted with a furrow irrigation system with one crop, it should be evident that gravity fed irrigation could be conducted using a basin irrigation system for a different set of fields with a different crop.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

soil/plant/water relationships
environmental impacts of irrigation using water from any ground or underground source
irrigation system components
common operational problems
enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

operate gravity fed irrigation systems
apply enterprise monitoring procedures
brief, monitor and direct work crews
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and take appropriate remedial action
co-ordinate a range of activities and procedures
implement and follow relevant enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

soil/plant/water relationships
environmental impacts of irrigation using water from any ground or underground source
irrigation system components
common operational problems
enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

operate gravity fed irrigation systems
apply enterprise monitoring procedures
brief, monitor and direct work crews
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and take appropriate remedial action
co-ordinate a range of activities and procedures
implement and follow relevant enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Briefing and directing crews. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Briefing and directing crews. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting and recording monitoring data. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting and recording monitoring data. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Planning irrigation activities. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Planning irrigation activities. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating and monitoring crew activities for efficient team work. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating and monitoring crew activities for efficient team work. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimating times for irrigation shifts and monitoring water levels. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimating times for irrigation shifts and monitoring water levels. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and correcting operating problems. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and correcting operating problems. (2)

Using technology
Reporting activities and using equipment. (2)

Using technology
Reporting activities and using equipment. (2)