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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Soil properties may include:
surface soil
subsoil
soil profiles
a, b & c horizons
texture:
rock/gravel
sand
silt
clay
soil structure
aggregates
minerals
pores
soil colour
Soil sampling may include:
selection of sample site/s using methods such as:
grid
random
zigzag
transect
collection of samples from:
field pits
auger holes
consistent application of sampling procedures as identified by the Department of Agriculture
maintenance of the integrity of the sample according to applicable statutory guidelines (Department of Agriculture, EPA)
Soil testing may include:
soil pH
soil texture assessment
mottle colour
soil nutrients
nitrogen
phosphorus (Olsen P or Colwell P)
potassium
fertiliser requirements
cation exchange capacity (CEC)
exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)
calcium/magnesium ratio
organic matter
hydraulic conductivity
consistence (dry only)
strength
stickiness
plasticity
Emerson dispersion grade
Water holding capacity may include:
hydraulic conductivity
soil water potential
infiltration/leaching rates
field capacity determination
Reclaimed water quality parameters may include:
pH
BOD/COD
total salt concentration
total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
soluble salts by electrical conductivity (EC)
nutrients - N, P, K
anions and cations
sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)
adjusted SAR
Irrigation systems may include:
border check flood irrigation
graded or contour furrows
sub-surface irrigation
sprinklers
localised systems, such as:
drip
micro spray
trickle
Equipment may include:
electronic monitoring and metering systems
reclaimed water flow distribution systems, including:
pipes
valves
pumps
channels
checks
drains
collection dams
flow control gates
pressured distribution equipment, such as:
sprinklers
travelling irrigators
sampling and testing equipment
infiltration testing equipment
manual chart recording systems
on- and off-road vehicles
communication equipment
atmosphere monitoring equipment
personal protective equipment
communication equipment
computerised equipment
Irrigation scheduling options may include:
measurement of soil moisture content
on-site, physical soil moisture investigations
evaporation minus rainfall calculations
tensiometers
gypsum blocks
neutron probes
capacitance probes
Water budgets may include:
weather details
rainfall
evaporation
crop factors and predicted plant water requirement
leaching requirements
soil types and characteristics
monthly/yearly calculation of reclaimed water required
calculation of suitable land areas for use
Organisational requirements may include:
organisational policies and procedures
occupational health and safety
electrical and mechanical procedures
Statutory requirements may include:
environmental legislation, including relevant:
Federal legislation
State/Territory legislations
local government by-laws
government or quasi-government policies and regulations
community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements
Water Acts
licensing and/or drainage agreements
plumbing and drainage standards
hazardous substances
World Health Organisation standards
NHMRC guidelines
Irrigation management options may include:
shandying to reduce salt or nutrient loads
managing algal outbreaks
identification and reduction of odours from irrigation
restricting livestock or public access due to water quality issues
suspension of irrigation
Soil ameliorants may include:
gypsum (calcium sulphate)
hydrated lime (limil)
agricultural lime (calcium carbonate)
biosolids
Reports may include:
reclaimed water irrigation data including:
applications dates and volumes applied
volumes of run-off
water quality
rainfall, evaporation and/or other meteorological data
water budgets
salt budgets
plant performance data

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the 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 monitor, operate and control reclaimed water irrigation, including:
analysis of the critical aspects of reclaimed water reuse management relating to the project or site
implementing reclaimed water reuse irrigation
identifying environment, health and safety risks and impact on soil, stock and operators
applying environmental procedures
participating in and contributing to reviews of reclaimed water reuse procedures
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
collecting and noting circumstances and observations relating to a specific breaches of legislation
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 required.
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 requires 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.