Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:12 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:12 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Collect and evaluate meteorological data
Collect and evaluate meteorological data
Unit of competency
National Code
MSS024007A
MSS024007A
State Code
D7761
D7761
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/03/2012
Field of Education
010701 - Atmospheric Sciences
Original Release Date
26/03/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to site and set up basic ‘ground level’ meteorological equipment and collect and record reliable data. It also includes the ability to assess data quality, interpret significant data features and use the data to ensure the validity of air and noise monitoring measurements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for field work
- 1.1 Review job request to identify the equipment required and the appropriate meteorological parameters to be measured
- 1.2 Identify hazards and enterprise safe work procedures associated with the site, test methods and equipment used
- 1.3 Confirm site location, access, timing and any client requirements
- 1.4 Assemble all required equipment/materials and check that they are fit for purpose
- 1.5 Stow equipment/materials to ensure their safe transport, as necessary
- 1.6 Arrange transport to site, as necessary
- 1.7 Liaise with appropriate personnel on arrival at site to ensure safety and minimise disruption to others, as necessary
2 Perform basic meteorological measurements
- 2.1 Select an appropriate location for the meteorological equipment at the site to ensure valid readings for the required parameters are achievable
- 2.2 Install and check instrumentation and any recording/data logging equipment to ensure it is functioning correctly
- 2.3 Confirm calibration status of meteorological equipment
- 2.4 Perform measurements using ‘ground level’ meteorological equipment
- 2.5 Collect meteorological data using physical or electronic methods
- 2.6 Ensure wind direction sensors are aligned or corrected to true north rather than magnetic north
3 Verify meteorological data
- 3.1 Ensure that quality requirements for data are met
- 3.2 Perform any required corrections, calculations and data manipulations and identify significant trends in data
- 3.3 Check for anomalous data and take appropriate corrective action
- 3.4 Verify that processed data meets requirements
4 Interpret and apply meteorological information
- 4.1 Relate meteorological data to weather maps and other sources of meteorological data
- 4.2 Associate meteorological conditions with related weather maps
- 4.3 Compare weather patterns and data for different time periods and geographic locations
- 4.4 Interpret meteorological data in terms of local atmospheric conditions
- 4.5 Use meteorological data to interpret and/or assist with processing air and/or noise monitoring data
5 Maintain a safe work environment
- 5.1 Use safe work procedures and protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
- 5.2 Minimise environmental impacts of meteorological measurements and generation of waste
- 5.3 Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with environmental/quarantine requirements and enterprise procedures
6 Report data and finalise documentation
- 6.1 Report field data in the required formats and expected timeframe
- 6.2 Complete all required documentation
- 6.3 Maintain the security and confidentiality of data and documentation in accordance with enterprise requirements
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
AS 2923:1987 Ambient air - Guide for measurement of horizontal wind for air quality applications
Australian Bureau of Meteorology Observation Specification 2013.1 Guidelines for the siting and exposure of meteorological instruments and observing facilities
National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure Technical Paper No 6: Meteorological Measurements
World Meteorological Organisation - No. 8: Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation
enterprise or regulator procedures for sampling and in-field testing
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
safe work procedures
Hazards may include
Hazards may include:
sunlight, dust, noise and heat
extreme weather conditions (e.g. fire, flood and storms)
manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials
crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery
vehicular traffic on roads and sites
injuries caused by falling objects and working conditions, such as uneven surfaces, heights, slopes and wet surfaces
biohazards (e.g. microbiological organisms in soils)
chemical hazards/contaminants in soils
Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation
Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation may include:
topography
vegetation and built structures
exposure
availability of services
site security
Meteorological instrumentation
Meteorological instrumentation may include:
thermometers:
liquid in glass
thermocouples
Pt resistance
thermistors
hygrometers and psychrometers
barometers:
aneroid
mercury
anemometers:
rotational
pressure tube
Doppler
rain gauges:
manual
tipping bucket
automatic weather stations (AWS)
radiometers
net pyranometer
total solar radiometer
Meteorological parameters
Meteorological parameters may include:
temperature and temperature gradient
atmospheric pressure
humidity
precipitation
wind speed and direction (vector and scalar)
vertical wind speed
insolation and net radiation
evaporation
Occupational health and safety (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
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
AS 2923:1987 Ambient air - Guide for measurement of horizontal wind for air quality applications
Australian Bureau of Meteorology Observation Specification 2013.1 Guidelines for the siting and exposure of meteorological instruments and observing facilities
National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure Technical Paper No 6: Meteorological Measurements
World Meteorological Organisation - No. 8: Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation
enterprise or regulator procedures for sampling and in-field testing
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
safe work procedures
Hazards may include
Hazards may include:
sunlight, dust, noise and heat
extreme weather conditions (e.g. fire, flood and storms)
manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials
crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery
vehicular traffic on roads and sites
injuries caused by falling objects and working conditions, such as uneven surfaces, heights, slopes and wet surfaces
biohazards (e.g. microbiological organisms in soils)
chemical hazards/contaminants in soils
Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation
Siting and installation considerations for meteorological instrumentation may include:
topography
vegetation and built structures
exposure
availability of services
site security
Meteorological instrumentation
Meteorological instrumentation may include:
thermometers:
liquid in glass
thermocouples
Pt resistance
thermistors
hygrometers and psychrometers
barometers:
aneroid
mercury
anemometers:
rotational
pressure tube
Doppler
rain gauges:
manual
tipping bucket
automatic weather stations (AWS)
radiometers
net pyranometer
total solar radiometer
Meteorological parameters
Meteorological parameters may include:
temperature and temperature gradient
atmospheric pressure
humidity
precipitation
wind speed and direction (vector and scalar)
vertical wind speed
insolation and net radiation
evaporation
Occupational health and safety (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:
explaining the purpose and objectives of the meteorological monitoring, including:
information and analysis required
end users of information
significance of outcomes for broader programs
planning and preparing for field work
interpreting and applying relevant enterprise procedures and standard methods
setting up, checking and operating meteorological equipment to obtain sufficient measurements to ensure reliable data
accurately recording field data
assessing data quality and interpreting significant features and anomalies
using data to ensure validity of air and noise monitoring programs
working safely.
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:
MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site
MSS025000A series units associated with the monitoring of air, odour and noise
MSL974009A Undertake field-based remote-sensing monitoring.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
access to suitable sites and vehicle
enterprise procedures governing siting and operation of meteorological measurements
maps and aerial photos
suitable meteorological measuring equipment.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of meteorological data, results and measurement records prepared by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures and works safely
oral/written questioning associated with basic meteorology and in-field measurement of meteorological parameters
observation of work carried out in the field with a focus on:
identification of monitoring site according to defined criteria
safe, reliable set-up and operation of equipment
recording, storing, analysing and presenting basic meteorological data.
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
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:
explaining the purpose and objectives of the meteorological monitoring, including:
information and analysis required
end users of information
significance of outcomes for broader programs
planning and preparing for field work
interpreting and applying relevant enterprise procedures and standard methods
setting up, checking and operating meteorological equipment to obtain sufficient measurements to ensure reliable data
accurately recording field data
assessing data quality and interpreting significant features and anomalies
using data to ensure validity of air and noise monitoring programs
working safely.
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:
MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site
MSS025000A series units associated with the monitoring of air, odour and noise
MSL974009A Undertake field-based remote-sensing monitoring.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
access to suitable sites and vehicle
enterprise procedures governing siting and operation of meteorological measurements
maps and aerial photos
suitable meteorological measuring equipment.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of meteorological data, results and measurement records prepared by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures and works safely
oral/written questioning associated with basic meteorology and in-field measurement of meteorological parameters
observation of work carried out in the field with a focus on:
identification of monitoring site according to defined criteria
safe, reliable set-up and operation of equipment
recording, storing, analysing and presenting basic meteorological data.
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
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAK89 | MSS024007 | Collect and evaluate meteorological data | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D549 | MSS70211 | Graduate Certificate In Environmental Management | Qualification |
| D551 | MSS40211 | Certificate IV in Environmental Monitoring and Technology | Qualification |
| D553 | MSS50211 | Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology | Qualification |