Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Testing equipment may include:
microscope
Sedgwick-Rafter counting chamber
volumetric glassware
equipment and solutions for sample concentration
identification charts and photos
Tests include:
blue green algae identification and enumeration
tests may also include:
Secchi clarity
odour testing
Organisational and statutory requirements may include:
by-laws and organisational policies
standard operating procedures
environment protection
occupational health and safety, including use of personal protective equipment
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
National Water Quality Management strategy
World Health Organisation standards
licensing agreements
Environment Protection Authority regulations
Reports may include:
organisational reports:
alert levels
government agencies
water users/special consumers
environmental reports
chemical usage
plant performance data

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to conduct blue green algae testing, including:
identification of blue green algae types and characteristics
reporting blue algae incidents according to organisational and statutory requirements
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
relevant codes, standards, and government regulations
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit
Questioning will be appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.