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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements:
are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures, and may include:
safe work procedures
hazard and risk control
elimination of hazardous materials and substances
techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Regulatory requirements:
are to be in line with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect forest operations in relation to ecological and biodiversity protection and may include:
federal, state or territory legislation
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)
Threatened Species Conservation Act
Native Vegetation Act
native forest legislation
private native forest codes
forest operational plans
environmental legislation, policy and procedures
environmental planning and assessment
specific site environmental management plans
relevant codes of practice
water catchment management
surface and ground water conservation requirements
relevant Australian standards and industry standards
hazard reduction policy and procedures
plantation legislation
plantation and reforestation code
fisheries and fish passage
national parks and wildlife legislation
good neighbour policies
award and organisational agreements
heritage and traditional landowner
forest certification, such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) certification

Organisational requirements may include:
legal compliance documentation
recording and reporting
environmental management requirements, including waste minimisation and disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
operational plan, including organisation and site guidelines

Various forest types may include:
Callitris forest
closed low eucalypt forest
open low eucalypt forest
low eucalypt woodland
open eucalypt mallee forest
eucalypt mallee woodland
closed medium eucalypt forest
open medium eucalypt forest
medium eucalypt woodland
closed tall eucalypt forest
open tall eucalypt forest
tall eucalypt woodland
River Red Gum and river flood plains
melaleuca forest
tropical rainforest
subtropical rainforest
warm and cool temperate rainforest

Habitats:
are any area or region where local animals, plants or organisms may live or rely upon for food, water, shelter or breeding purposes and may include:
habitat plants and trees, including:
specific species
burrow
food
roost
nest
recruitment trees
hollow logs
rocky outcrops
rock overhangs
caves
soil mounds
creek or river banks
sheltered valleys or canyons
any other site, feature or zone listed as habitat or potential habitat

Landscape features:
are any topographical or ecological feature that could serve as a habitat to sensitive or endangered local animals, plants or organisms and may include:
wetlands
steep slopes
sheltered valleys or canyons
rocky outcrops and overhang
caves
waterfalls and courses
vegetation community
sites of cultural or heritage significance

Protection zones:
are areas or zones where operational conditions are varied by prescriptions for the management of ecological and biodiversity values, and may include:
buffer zones
filter strips
riparian protection areas
exclusion zones
conservation management plan

Operational plan may include:
forest operations plan
harvesting plan
plantation establishment plan
coupe plan
roading plan
drainage plan
sediment and erosion control plan

Appropriate personnel may include:
colleague
leading hand
bush boss
foreman
supervisor
manager
environmental officer
other authorised personnel

Threatened species may include:
animals and plants listed in the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and any amendments
animals and plants listed in state or territory legislation, such as NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995)

Changing conditions:
are those conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different work strategies or practices to maximise forest soil and water protection from an increased risk of pollution and may include:
land tenure
topography
machinery and operation type
forest type
soil type and erodibility
rainfall intensity
soil moisture
ground cover
code of practice
quality of roads and tracks

Prescriptions may include:
any temporary or permanent measure or action aimed at protecting the ecology and biodiversity before, during or on completion of forest operations
modified silviculture
exclusion of an activity
modified access, including:
cordons or barricades
signage
written instruction
verbal instruction
code of practice directives or requirements
legislative compliance
local ordinances

Documentation and reporting may include:
specific organisational records, reports and forms
update of forest operational plans
operational inspection report
non-compliance report
road and crossing designs
drainage line and buffer zone specifications

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
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can implement and monitor ecological and biodiversity protection principles

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:
following applicable federal, state or territory regulatory or local government ordinance requirements, codes of practice, and OHS and environmental policies relevant to ecological and biodiversity protection
following organisational policies and procedures relevant to implementing and monitoring ecological and biodiversity protection principles
effective communication and safe work practices
implementing best practice and industry-acceptable ecological and biodiversity protection principles
monitoring and maintaining ecological and biodiversity protection principles
identifying and reporting non-compliant work practices
completing relevant workplace documentation and reporting processes

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace
Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards
The following resources should be made available:
workplace location or simulated workplace
materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit
specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills
Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English
Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment
Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role