Elements and Performance Criteria

Client
may include

general public

customers

clients

community groups

staff members

industry counterparts

Enterprise work procedures
may include

supervisors oral and written instructions

enterprise policy and guidelines

enterprise Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

specifications

routine maintenance schedules

work notes

products labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals

waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines

Occupational Health and Safety procedures

Issues
may include

weeds

pest and disease control measures

selection and use of plant materials

basic design and maintenance

soils

irrigation

plant nutrition

products and services

local geographical variables

habitat and conservation use

bush restoration

other plant cultural information

Information
may include

soil characteristics

proximity of plantings and structures to buildings

plant positioning

material types

origin of the plant

environment and environmental threats

watering regime

propagation techniques

seed collection methods

habitat and conservation value

natural and assisted regeneration

drainage

cultural practices

Researched and experimental awareness
knowledge of species and its culture may be increased through

consultation with team members

supervisor

own knowledge

specific literature

supplier specifications

local historical performance data

industry best practice guidelines
Resources may include

enterprise or public library

horticultural and land management-related business and research organisation websites

industry consultants

suppliers and contractors

enterprise supervisor and team colleague experience

experts in the local area or industry sector

The sport and recreation industry

covers

industry sectors of community recreation, fitness, outdoor recreation and sport

significant roles played by activity organisations, industry peak bodies, professional organisations

large volunteer base

high turnover of volunteers

high levels of part time and casual employment

irregular working hours

relatively few professional positions

workforce employed mostly in operational positions

mainly small business or self-employed personnel

slow to take up technology

over 2/3 of the sport and recreation industry have no formal/recognised qualifications

significant reliance upon industry credentials and involvement in the activity itself

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge in providing information on plants and their culture
Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories from the Range Statements applicable to the learner's work environment
In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to
respond positively and actively to client requests with information and recommendations
provide active listening and questioning techniques to ensure that the plant and cultural information supplied are appropriate to the clients needs
transfer the skills and knowledge required to provide information on products plants and treatments to a different work environment, eg, this could include different plants, cultural practices, environments and requests for information

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)
Nil
This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil
For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Competencies relevant to the job function

Required knowledge and skills
Required knowledge
Broad range of plant species and their cultural relevant to the workplace
Awareness of legal issues, Occupational Health and Safety issues and requirements, and environmental implications, regulations and cultural sensitivities of clients
Problem-solving techniques
Plant identification techniques and basic physiology, habit and growth characteristics of the plants specific to the enterprise
Soil characteristics. particularly in relation to the geographical and climatic region from which clients generally originate
Pest and disease symptoms, basic physiology and life cycle of pests and diseases, vulnerable plant growth stages, treatment thresholds, treatment products, effective application procedures and environmental implications
Weed species, growth stages, treatment thresholds, treatment products, effective application procedures and environmental implications
Local plant suppliers, consultants, services, products and contractors
Awareness of duty of care in provision of advise and recommendations to retail, commercial and private clients
Required skills
Communicate with clients, work team members, supervisors, suppliers, contractors and consultants
Interpret information sheets, labels, horticultural literature, specifications and design symbols
Utilise proforma reporting and work procedure documents
Estimate treatment and product requirements, material sizes and quantities
Interpret site designs, ground plans and specifications
Calculate ratios, proportions and application rates
Coordinate own work activities to gain knowledge about plants, products and treatments
Investigate client requests for information, identify and evaluate options, decide on a solution, and deliver recommendation and information to the client
Provide customer service to satisfy the clients need for information
Research and access information
Inform the client of any recommended solution using verbal explanations, available audio-visual or multimedia materials, literature, and demonstrations of the solution offered by a plant, product or treatment

Resource implications
Physical resources - assessment of this competency requires access to
appropriate documentation and resources normally used in the workplace
Human resources - assessment of this competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines. That is, assessors (or persons within the assessment team) should
be competent in this unit
be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in the relevant area
have attained the National Competency Standards for Assessment: BSZ401A, BSZ402A and BSZ403A

Consistency in performance
Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statements and contexts applicable to the work environment

Context for assessment
This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of sport or recreation activity. For valid and reliable assessment the sport or recreation activity should closely replicate the work environment. The environment should be safe with the hazards. circumstances and equipment likely to be encountered in a real workplace
Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a "period of time" and/or a "number of locations", any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

Essential Assessment Information
There is

What processes should be applied to this competency standard? 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
Written, oral and telecommunication of ideas and information relating to the horticultural issue and the recommended solution will be required with the client, work group, supervisor and industry contacts (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Enterprise work procedures, customer service standards and resources should be consulted, interpreted and applied to coordinate client service and information delivery about plants, products and treatments, with further clarification sought from the supervisor when necessary (2)

Planning and organising activities
Own work activities, in coordination with the work team, will be planned prior to and adjusted during client service work periods (2)

Working with others and in teams
The provision of information to clients may require coordination and consultation with team members to deliver effective and accurate information to the client satisfaction (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical application will be required to calculate area, quantities, volumes and application rates for plants, products and treatments (2)

Solving problems
Problem-solving techniques will be required to satisfy the clients needs, inadequate knowledge in an area of customer query and inadequate plants, products or treatments available within the specific enterprise to meet client needs, will also require problem-solving techniques (2)

Using technology
Technological understanding will be required to access and apply information about plants, products and treatments to meet clients needs, communicate with clients and others, and keep records (2)