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.
Organisational and statutory requirements may include:
environmental laws and policies
by-laws and organisational policies
Water Acts
construction and occupational health and safety regulations
public safety and disaster plans
Australian National Committee on Large Dams guidelines
state government or state committees
asset management plan
Historical and design information may include:
past surveillance reports
observation and associated comments and reports
original design plans
design modifications
construction records and reports
survey information
Surveillance sites may include:
earthen walls
concrete walls
hydraulic structures
electrical equipment
spillways
outlets
pipes
conduits
foundations
mechanical equipment, such as:
gates
valves
tunnels and galleries
reservoir perimeter
weirs
Stakeholders may include:
dam owners
water authorities
government
water consumers
downstream land owners
meteorological bureau
local government
emergency organisations
police
land care and water watch groups
industry
Inspections may include:
interaction and communication with employees and the general public
visual observation
use of electronic and/or computer equipment
specialist investigations such as drilling and core sampling
operational preparedness checks
specialist inspections
Data may include:
current and past monitoring records
flood information
seismic details
previous safety reviews
geological and foundation investigation reports
hydrometrical reports
past remedial works
past incidents
past surveillance reports
inspection reports
original design plans
design modifications
construction records and reports
operation and maintenance performance data
Instruments may include:
simple manual devices through to complex computer controlled systems

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 plan, schedule, implement and report on dam safety surveillance including:
planning and preparing for dam safety surveillance
implementing dam safety surveillance plans
completing safety surveillance reports
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
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.