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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Hydrometric data will include:
water level (streams, lakes)
rainfall
groundwater
soil moisture
evaporation
radiation
wind
temperature
EC
Field verification checks will include:
staff gauge reading
well tape check
survey level
peak level indicators
flood marks
rainfall storage and/or calibration check
EC in-situ meter reading
groundwater down the casing tape check
Verification information may include:
station visit information
operator comments
photographs
embedded comments
secondary checks
stage:
staff gauge
peak level indicator
flood mark, surveyed water level
tape over orifice
rainfall collected storage
EC in-situ readings
laboratory analyses
related traces - comparison with nearby sites, comparison of variables:
stage v rain
stage/EC
EC v water temperature
Data irregularities will include:
characteristics of continuous traces
recorder and site:
velocity past inlet or orifice
datum changes
interference and vandalism
inadequate recording (log) interval
clock irregularities and stoppages
control:
debris on control
siltation (of stilling pool)
wind
stepping
weir aeration
control interference
tailwater
leakage
floatwell systems:
lag (ratio of well to inlet diameter)
leaking well
groundwater inflow to well
inlet blockages
float catching
float line faults
friction in float system
siltation (of inlets)
gas purge systems:
gas leak
gas expiry
lag (bubble rate)
orifice stability (datum)
siltation (of orifice)
pluviometer:
interference and vandalism (extraneous fluid poured into gauge)
equipment faults - double counts
missed counts
storage discrepancy
Data integrity will include:
parameter relationships:
stage vs stage
flow vs flow
rain vs rain
rain vs stage
stage vs water quality
stage:
stage / stage (HYPLOTXY) or flow / flow correlation plots
double mass curves (HYMASS)
pluviometer:
HYPLOTXY correlation plots
double mass curves
Standard processes and software may include:
standards relevant to the monitoring network including:
AS 3778 for water measurement installations
WMO / Bureau of Meteorology guidelines for siting of meteorological sensors and systems
best practice methodology where standards are not available or applicable
software for logical control device programming (maybe system specific or generic software) to automate control, sampling and alarming processes
water data base management software for triggering alarms, notifications, advice to relevant authorities and management for actions
procedures for data logging:
programming
interrogation
data downloading
data security
procedures for data processing, storage and presentation:
conversion of raw logger file data to channel data in date/time/value format
deletion/inclusion/correction
quality codes/comments
check
archive
storing ancillary data
pluviographs
hyetographs
hydrographs
rating curves
tables
procedures for the measurement of surface slopes and flood slopes
procedures for the development, maintenance and extension of rating curves
computation of flow from stage data and rating curves
software:
Kisters - Hydstra
Scientific Software Group - AquaChem,
Microsoft - Excel
web-based development tools for presentation and reporting of data
Mathematical and scientific techniques may include:
logarithmic transformation
conversion of units
graphical analysis
gauging calculations
calculation of loads and yields
Estimated failed periods will include:
verification information
historical data
nearby sites and related parameters
copy and paste
applying peak stage level or total stored rainfall checks
estimation using standard processes and software
Standard reports may include:
daily (HYDAY (stage, max and mean flow rate and flow total, rain
monthly (HYMONTH) - transposes (max/min)
annual (HYANN)
Client specific reports may include:
flow duration HYFLOW
recurrence intervals (Flow: HYLP3 - requires Peak Series to be updated)
runoff ratio
rainfall intensities
web-based presentation tools

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, 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 compile, analyse and verify data and produce hydrometric data reports to support organisational decision making including:
gathering, interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the specification of hydrographic data collection and reporting procedures
collecting samples accurately
analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases
preparing clear and accurate reports
storing and archiving data
identifying, reporting and resolving potential and actual problems
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
workplace specific equipment and technology
supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports
enterprise operating procedures and work allocation
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 require 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.