Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Operation:
An operation is a planned activity with a set purpose that may include:
· observation of fishers, vessels, marine resources and sacred or other cultural sites
· data collection
· presenting information
· search and rescue.

Hazards and risks:
· availability of emergency support in remote areas
· climatic conditions:
· wet weather and flooding
· wind, especially associated with cyclones, tornadoes and storms
· temperature extremes
· immobilised, damaged or lost vehicles due to:
· boggy or rugged terrain
· mechanical breakdown
· fire
· accident
· collision
· insufficient fuel
· inaccurate maps
· officers on the operation:
· not fully competent in operation of the vehicle or vessel
· not fully competent in navigation skills
· difficulty in maintaining control or safety of vessels at sea due to:
· tsunami
· high or low tides
· poor visibility in a fog or storm
· sandbar
· swell
· inaccurate charts
· submerged objects
· dysfunctional communications and operational equipment due to:
· breakdown
· damage
· operator's insufficient skill.

Controls:
· agency/organisation policies and procedures for operations, including those in remote areas
· weather forecasts
· regular maintenance of vessels, vehicles and equipment
· appropriately trained officers.

Resources:
· trained officers
· vessels and or vehicles
· intelligence
· maps or charts
· equipment for making observations and recording locations, including:
· still cameras
· video cameras
· global positioning system (GPS)
· communications equipment.

Logistics:
· scheduling the operation, including day and month
· planning timelines.

Operational plan:
· purpose or objectives
· personnel involved and their roles
· briefing and debriefing sessions
· resources
· schedule of activities
· travel routes
· hazard identification, risk assessment and controls in place
· contingency plan that includes rescue and medi-vac considerations
· relevant agency/organisation policies and procedures
· pre-operation checklist
· post-operation checklist.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· legislation relevant to the operation
· basic operational requirements of general and communications equipment used for local operations
· principles of equipment operation
· safety procedures and potential hazards associated with local operations, including the principles of hazard identification, risk analysis and risk minimisation
· the effect of external factors on local operations, including:
· weather conditions
· tides and currents
· seasonal factors
· fishing or marine activity
· local environmental and cultural factors, including:
· geographical features
· sacred and other cultural sites
· traditional cultural activities
· flora and fauna species
· habitats
· historical information about the local community
· fisher and tourist behaviour in the region
· environmental management strategies.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· analysing and applying workplace information to planning
· preparing an operational plan in accordance with agency/organisational requirements
· analysing operational requirements to identify hazards, risks and controls
· selecting, fitting and using appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment for the operation
· following work procedures to control or minimise Occupational Health and Safety and environmental risks
· communicating with team members, supervisor and public using appropriate methods of communication
· providing reports in accordance with agency/organisational requirements.

Language and literacy skills used for:
· developing operation plan
· presenting reports
· interpreting weather reports and other information relevant to the operation.

Numeracy skills used for:
· GPS operation
· speed and distance calculations to estimate fuel usage and time.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· plan and conduct an operation safely and in accordance with agency/organisational procedures
· communicate effectively with team members and others
· review outcomes.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· operation of equipment used for local operations
· hazards and risks associated with operational requirements
· cultural activities relevant to the operation
· sites of cultural significance, including sacred sites relevant to the operation
· effect of weather and seasonal variations on operational outcomes.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· SFICOMP202A - Conduct field observations.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· observation of practical demonstration
· practical exercise that simulates an operation
· examples of operational plans, reports and job sheets completed by the candidate
· oral short answer testing.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· agency/organisational policies and procedures relevant to the operation
· operational plan
· weather forecasts, maps, charts and other sources of information
· operational and communications equipment.