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 external factors in the environment might affect irrigation requirements?
These may be pests and vermin (tortoises, yabbies, ants, spiders, snails, rabbits, hares, foxes, wasps, rose weevil, earwigs, snakes, carp, pigs, wallabies, eels, rats, mice, kangaroos, dogs, cats, parrots), organic (leaves, slime, weeds, algae, sticks, crop residue), weather, channel regulators (if applicable), fire, mechanical damage (if applicable), power spikes, power failures, storm run off, or system breakage.

What environmental factors may be monitored?
These may include drainage, soil moisture, water table levels, soil salinity, rainfall, air temperature, frost risk, water quality, plant/crop and soil nutrient deficiencies, and irrigation system maintenance requirements.

What might be measured to determine water quality?
Measurements may include salinity (ground water and surface water), pH level, and nutrient concentration.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS requirements may include systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise, the operation of machinery and equipment, selection and use of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and protection against chemical residues including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items.

What chemical characteristics of the soil might be measured?
Chemical characteristics may include pH, salinity and carbonate content.

How might data be collected?
This may include direct methods such as physical appearance/texture and rain gauge, or indirect methods such as tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests, weather reports and forecasts.

How might data be recorded?
Data may be recorded on graphs and charts, on paper and/or electronically.

What external factors in the environment might affect irrigation requirements?
These may be pests and vermin (tortoises, yabbies, ants, spiders, snails, rabbits, hares, foxes, wasps, rose weevil, earwigs, snakes, carp, pigs, wallabies, eels, rats, mice, kangaroos, dogs, cats, parrots), organic (leaves, slime, weeds, algae, sticks, crop residue), weather, channel regulators (if applicable), fire, mechanical damage (if applicable), power spikes, power failures, storm run off, or system breakage.

What environmental factors may be monitored?
These may include drainage, soil moisture, water table levels, soil salinity, rainfall, air temperature, frost risk, water quality, plant/crop and soil nutrient deficiencies, and irrigation system maintenance requirements.

What might be measured to determine water quality?
Measurements may include salinity (ground water and surface water), pH level, and nutrient concentration.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS requirements may include systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise, the operation of machinery and equipment, selection and use of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and protection against chemical residues including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items.

What chemical characteristics of the soil might be measured?
Chemical characteristics may include pH, salinity and carbonate content.

How might data be collected?
This may include direct methods such as physical appearance/texture and rain gauge, or indirect methods such as tensiometers, neutron probes, laboratory tests, weather reports and forecasts.

How might data be recorded?
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 implementing, monitoring and adjusting an irrigation schedule requires evidence that a person can implement watering shifts, monitor factors that influence water requirements, and adjust the irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in those factors.
The skills and knowledge required to implement, monitor and adjust an irrigation schedule must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if an irrigation schedule is implemented for a particular plant or crop in one type of soil, it should be evident that a schedule could be implemented for different plants in another type of soil.
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:

crop and plant health
weather patterns
irrigation monitoring procedures
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
soil water retention testing techniques
monitoring irrigation surface runoff and infiltration due to soil type and terrain.
water quality monitoring methods and techniques of potable and recyclable water
water allocation
water authority standards and procedures
purchasing procedures, budget restrictions and limits
enterprise 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:

use enterprise monitoring equipment
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
access irrigation data
plot and read graphic data
measure and interpret environmental data
estimate water availability for plants/crops
read and apply map data to property features
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:

crop and plant health
weather patterns
irrigation monitoring procedures
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
soil water retention testing techniques
monitoring irrigation surface runoff and infiltration due to soil type and terrain.
water quality monitoring methods and techniques of potable and recyclable water
water allocation
water authority standards and procedures
purchasing procedures, budget restrictions and limits
enterprise 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:

use enterprise monitoring equipment
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
access irrigation data
plot and read graphic data
measure and interpret environmental data
estimate water availability for plants/crops
read and apply map data to property features
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 personnel on the irrigation schedule. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Briefing personnel on the irrigation schedule. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting and interpreting data to adjust irrigation schedule. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting and interpreting data to adjust irrigation schedule. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising and monitoring irrigation activities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising and monitoring irrigation activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Implementing the irrigation schedule. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Implementing the irrigation schedule. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring and interpreting environmental data, plotting and reading graphic data, and estimating water availability for plants/crops. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring and interpreting environmental data, plotting and reading graphic data, and estimating water availability for plants/crops. (2)

Solving problems
Determining irrigation requirements in response environmental conditions. (2)

Solving problems
Determining irrigation requirements in response environmental conditions. (2)

Using technology
Recording and accessing data electronically. (2)

Using technology
Recording and accessing data electronically. (2)