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.
Surface water sources may include:
dams and reservoirs
weirs and rivers
lakes
creeks and streams
wetlands
off stream storage
catchment areas
storage tanks
Monitoring and testing programs may include:
resource yields
resource status
flow rates
testing procedures
testing medium
testing frequency
sampling locations
testing variables
land use changes
Historical surface water information may include:
hydrometrical information
previous monitoring studies
previous risk assessments
geological data
hydro-geological data
land use studies
environmental management studies
anecdotal information from land owners
Water usage, water flow and water quality may be influenced by a range of factors including:
usage and environment allocations
licenses
legislative requirements
enterprise policies
cost benefit analysis
Environmental factors that impact on surface water may include:
environmental flow requirements
catchment usage and management
weather and climate
rainfall run-off
chemicals
salinity
nutrients
reservoir operations
natural events
Users and stakeholders may include:
water consumers
government
water authorities
environmental departments
recreational users of the area
interest groups
industry
extractive industry

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 implement management plans for surface water to ensure environmental considerations are met and source of supply is maintained:
gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and water quantity and quality test results) to underpin the implementation of the surface water management plan
designing and implementing testing processes and programs
monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the surface water management plan
providing advice about water usage and communicate with stakeholders and users
preparing reports and recommendations for future action
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.
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.