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.
Factors affecting accuracy may include:
laminar flow
turbulent flow
critical states
sensitivity
pulsing
backwater
Gauging methodologies may include:
wading
travellerway
cableway
boat
bridge
portable flume
float
acoustic profiler
Area velocity method may include:
AS 3778 - Measurement of Water Flow in Open Channels:
velocity-area methods
measurement by current-meters and floats
operating procedures for discharge measuring equipment and calibration
Hazards may include:
boat handling
bed stability
winch operation
tag line setting
traffic management
working at heights
manual handling
personal protective equipment (PPE)
Occupational health and safety requirements will include:
hazard recognition:
working on and near water
safe working depth
bank and bed stability
rising stage
snags
floating debris
water temperature
water contamination
weather exposure
rescue procedures
PPE requirements:
onsite communication and procedures for working remotely
equipment
storage
assembly
cleaning
handling, transport
personal welfare and safety:
medical constraints
CPR
First Aid
water survival and rescue
self rescue
bush survival
4WD driving and recovery
defensive driving
boat handling
traffic management authority regulations
Gauging equipment may include:
winch
travellerway
cableway
boat
vehicle
trolley mount
mechanical & acoustic meters
oil change
calibration
Gauging site conditions may include:
hazards
obstructions
climatic
sufficient depth
sufficient velocity
flow angle
laminar flow
bank condition
anabranches and multiple channels
pre-season maintenance
Alternative methods may include:
volumetric
flumes
slope/area techniques
dilution
Required mathematical techniques will include:
area
volume
mean
suitable formulae
trigonometry
Percentage deviation will be determined by:
checking:
calculations
equipment
control
recording equipment
repeat measurement
Supporting information will include:
gauging section location and access maps
photographic records
site preparation undertaken
comments on issues encountered
Organisational requirements will include:
data management and reporting
worksite procedures
occupational health and safety procedures
operating procedures

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to collect data using a range of discharge measuring methods and equipment including:
measuring and calculating readings
interpreting and reporting data for a range of clients and stakeholders
gathering data related to client requirements
interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the specification of hydrometric data collection and reporting procedures
sampling accurately and consistently with client requirements
analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases
preparing clear and accurate reports
storing and archiving data
identifying, reporting and (within scope of job function) solving potential or current problems
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in the workplace
workplace specific equipment and technology
supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports
enterprise operating procedures and work allocation
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 indicated by gaps in competency.
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 require 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 should only be made 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
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner 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.