Elements and Performance Criteria

Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
federal legislation, such as:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
Native Title Act 1993
state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
cultural/heritage protection
vegetation management
nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection
water and water management
soil conservation
pollution and contaminated sites
fisheries, forestry and mining operations
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
standards covering sampling, testing and/or monitoring of air, water and soils
environmental management plan, and site information about applicable legislative requirements and approval requirements
information about site processes and work schedules
information about emergency preparedness and response
monitoring/inspection procedures and management actions to prevent/control environmental impacts or risks
sampling and in-situ measurement procedures (e.g. water, air, noise and soils)
job hazard analyses
safe work procedures, work method statements
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
Complex environmental project work
Complex environmental project work may include developing, evaluating/updating and implementing environmental management and/or monitoring programs associated with:
planning, operation or closure of construction, infrastructure, industrial and mining sites
rehabilitation of sites
revegetation of sites
management of pests
acid sulphate soils
acid rock drainage
wetlands
stormwater systems
air quality, dust and emissions/odours
water quality and water supply/use issues
contaminated sites (e.g. hydrocarbons)
waste, stockpiles and waste rock dumps
protection of biodiversity
acquisition and commissioning of complex equipment
significant quality improvement projects
set-up and operation of remote sensing sites
set-up and operation of groundwater bores
investigating a multifaceted or difficult environmental complaint, non-conformance or incident
Background information
Background information may include:
legislative/regulatory, permit, licence and approval requirements for site/project
site or project history
client history and correspondence
information about site processes and work schedules
records of consultations with stakeholders
emergency plans and safety procedures
site access protocols and permits
maps (road and topographical)
existing databases (e.g. vegetation, topography, soils and regional ecosystem maps)
enterprise environmental management plans for site
enterprise, regulatory or standard methods/procedures for environmental sampling, monitoring or in-field testing
manufacturer information or manuals for environmental equipment
relevant case studies and good practice models
Project plans
Project plans may include:
purpose, scope, inclusions and exclusions
objectives, milestones, output/project deliverables and their acceptance criteria and quality standards
performance criteria/indicators, expected outcomes/measurable benefits and evaluation criteria
project management framework for:
planning, implementation, closure and governance
communications with stakeholders
cost estimates, budget and financial management
procurement and contract management
risk analysis and control measures
quality control and assurance procedures
occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
record keeping and reporting
specific roles and responsibilities of team members
work breakdown structure, schedules and timeframes
available facilities and resources (e.g. equipment and personnel)
Project management tools
Project management tools may include:
project management software and tools, such as:
Gantt and bar charts
program and evaluation review technique (PERT) charts
critical path method
cost schedule control system
logistics support analysis
life cycle cost analysis
spreadsheets
electronic and manual recording systems
Project information and data
Project information and data may include:
schedules, records of time spent and progress
costs, expenditure, invoices, payments, quotations and purchases
records of equipment used
emails and correspondence
records of consultations
sampling, monitoring, survey or in-field test data and results
progress reports and draft plans/procedures
project outputs
final reports/briefings/recommendations
Solutions to project problems
Solutions to project problems may include:
researching and applying models of good practice or relevant findings from case studies
seeking input from environmental specialists
reducing costs
seeking additional resources to meet deadlines
negotiating an extension to a deadline
redefining completion or quantity or quality of project outputs/outcomes
sharing ideas to generate improved work processes
changing roles and responsibilities within project team
outsourcing project components
OHS and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
analysing complex technical briefs and refining project plans
planning and managing the efficient implementation of complex and/or concurrent projects/project activities
providing own outputs in accordance with project plans
supporting, communicating and consulting with project teams to achieve quality outcomes on time and within budget
analysing and solving project management problems
monitoring progress of projects/activities and evaluating outcomes
maintaining accurate records
providing regular updates/briefings and reports of project progress and outcomes
recommending ways of improving future project processes and management systems.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
relevant MSS027000A series units.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
enterprise project management procedures and tools
background information for environmental sites/projects/programs
enterprise information management systems.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of plan refinements, project schedules, budgets, records, outcomes and reports associated with complex projects/activities that the candidate has managed or undertaken
feedback from managers and project team members about the candidate’s ability to effectively coordinate and support complex project work
questioning/interview to assess understanding of project management principles and the candidate’s ability to solve significant problems with projects
observation of the candidate’s interactions with project team members.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment