Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:24 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:24 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.
Coordinate environmental management activities
Coordinate environmental management activities
Unit of competency
National Code
MSS027001A
MSS027001A
State Code
D7712
D7712
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/11/2013
Field of Education
080307 - Organisation Management
Original Release Date
28/11/2013
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to coordinate environmental management activities at a site, or within a project, to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, permits and/or licences. Personnel are required to interpret and explain environmental management policies, plans and procedures to other personnel and apply them to a wide range of activities. This includes recognising potential/actual environmental impacts of current and planned work/recreational activities, implementing and monitoring appropriate preventative and corrective actions to minimise harm to the environment, coordinating response to incidents, liaising with the site personnel and stakeholders, and providing site/project reports. Personnel work under the supervision of an environmental scientist or engineer, site manager or enterprise environmental manager.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Confirm environmental management responsibilities
- 1.1 Interpret legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project
- 1.2 Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific environmental outcomes for site/project and the roles of other key personnel
- 1.3 Identify resources available to implement environmental management policies and plans for site/project
2 Develop and maintain positive relations with site personnel and stakeholders
- 2.1 Identify significant stakeholders, their relationship to the enterprise and position or perceived attitudes about the site/project
- 2.2 Participate in meetings and networks to obtain/maintain knowledge about stakeholders, their representatives and their issues
- 2.3 Use appropriate strategies to foster the trust and confidence of site personnel and stakeholder representatives
- 2.4 Communicate enterprise positions/requirements in a way that acknowledges concerns of personnel/stakeholders and promotes understanding
- 2.5 Respond to requests for information or participation in stakeholder activities in accordance with enterprise procedures
- 2.6 Provide timely, authorised information using language, styles and formats that are readily understood
- 2.7 Identify difficult situations and negotiate solutions by using a collaborative approach and harnessing cooperation (within scope of responsibility)
- 2.8 Obtain regular feedback and use it to maintain and enhance positive relations
3 Provide environmental management information and training
- 3.1 Use environmental management plans and recent incident reports to identify/review information and training needs of site personnel
- 3.2 Access, or develop, information and training programs to meet the identified needs
- 3.3 Provide accessible information and training programs to ensure that all site personnel understand their environmental obligations/responsibilities
- 3.4 Confirm site personnel’s understanding of environmental management actions specified for specific work areas and activities
- 3.5 Monitor the effectiveness of information and training and adjust content, format and delivery strategies as appropriate
4 Assess environmental impacts and risks
- 4.1 Review scheduled activities well in advance to identify implications for environmental management
- 4.2 Identify potential/actual events, risks and activities that may cause/have caused harm to the environment
- 4.3 Conduct inspections and in-situ measurements to quantify risks and impacts
- 4.4 Report assessment of risks and impacts in accordance with enterprise/legislative requirements
5 Ensure environmental monitoring and management plans are implemented
- 5.1 Conduct specified environmental monitoring and site inspections to check performance against environmental management requirements
- 5.2 Ensure that enterprise environmental monitoring instruments are fully functioning and maintained appropriately
- 5.3 Conduct additional monitoring/inspections after atypical events, legitimate complaints or government requests to assess whether environmental management plan is operating effectively
- 5.4 Examine results of in-situ measurements, laboratory analyses, inspections and audits to identify significant trends, non-conformance and/or incidents
6 Respond to environmental non-conformances and incidents
- 6.1 Recognise unusual situations, unexpected risks/hazards and potential/actual environmental incidents
- 6.2 Implement enterprise procedures for responding to environmental non-conformance and incidents to ensure prompt control and remediation
- 6.3 Investigate the causes of non conformances and incidents within scope of responsibility and in accordance with enterprise/legislative requirements
- 6.4 Analyse findings to identify opportunities to re-design activities, work practices, environmental controls, information/training programs and/or management procedures
- 6.5 Implement authorised corrective/preventative actions to prevent recurrence of non-conformance/incident and to reduce risks
- 6.6 Record all recommendations, actions and outcomes in accordance with the enterprise/legislative requirements
7 Keep management informed about environmental performance
- 7.1 Provide regular reports about environmental performance, instances of potential/actual non-conformance and incidents and the actions taken in each case
- 7.2 Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures
- 7.3 Seek manager’s advice when challenges are beyond own scope of responsibility/technical competence or when input from environmental specialists may be required
8 Maintain environmental records
- 8.1 Ensure all required records are legible, accurate and satisfy enterprise/legislative requirements
- 8.2 Store environmental records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel according to enterprise procedures
- 8.3 Regularly review and assess environmental records to identify significant trends and impacts
- 8.4 Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of records and resolve them promptly
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
environmental management plan, site information about applicable legislative requirements and approval requirements
information about site processes, 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 and work method statements
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
Environmental information and training
Environmental information and/or training may include:
enterprise environmental management policy
content and purpose site/project environmental management plan
legislative responsibilities
licensing/permit/compliance requirements
due diligence and duty to notify
lines of communication
introduction to site/project and environmental considerations, and sources of environmental information
environmental management actions and checklists, methods/procedures for specific activities
incident management and reporting
Provision of environmental information and training
Provision of environmental information and training may include:
site induction (environmental component)
task specific training (e.g. spill management)
toolbox talks (regular, ‘as required’ and topic specific)
daily, pre-start meetings with supervisors/team leaders about specific issues (e.g. hazards and working in close proximity to known fauna habitats)
posters and reading materials displayed in common areas and noticeboards
supervisor notices and daily bulletins about specific environmental issues
response to community complaints
Site personnel and stakeholders
Site personnel and stakeholders may include:
enterprise employees
contractors and subcontractors
consultants, such as environmental scientists, planners, engineers and external auditors
suppliers and service providers
community representatives and landowners
visitors or members of the public
government/regulator representatives and inspectors
Reports
Reports may include:
non-conformance report form
hazard near miss report form
site/project incident investigation report
weekly environmental report
monthly environmental report
regulatory agency reports (where required by permit, approval or licence conditions)
Site/project records
Site/project records may include:
digital photographs
environmental monitoring data
internal quality/environmental audit reports
records required by permit, approval or licence conditions
records of training
records of monitoring equipment purchase, calibration, inspection, maintenance and service
records of complaints and government requests
records of environmental non-conformances, incidents or significant impacts
contractor and supplier information
electronic/hard copy correspondence
records of approved expenditure and orders
Environmental issues and incidents
Environmental issues and incidents may include:
finding or disturbing an actual/potential cultural heritage item or site
community or stakeholder complaint
failure of erosion or sediment controls
spill or release of chemical, hydrocarbon or other hazardous material
decline in water quality due to site/project activities
decline in air quality due to dust, SOX and NOX
unacceptable noise levels
environmental harm to protected habitat or species
transport of prohibited materials to/from site (e.g. pests, weeds and contamination)
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
environmental management plan, site information about applicable legislative requirements and approval requirements
information about site processes, 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 and work method statements
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
Environmental information and training
Environmental information and/or training may include:
enterprise environmental management policy
content and purpose site/project environmental management plan
legislative responsibilities
licensing/permit/compliance requirements
due diligence and duty to notify
lines of communication
introduction to site/project and environmental considerations, and sources of environmental information
environmental management actions and checklists, methods/procedures for specific activities
incident management and reporting
Provision of environmental information and training
Provision of environmental information and training may include:
site induction (environmental component)
task specific training (e.g. spill management)
toolbox talks (regular, ‘as required’ and topic specific)
daily, pre-start meetings with supervisors/team leaders about specific issues (e.g. hazards and working in close proximity to known fauna habitats)
posters and reading materials displayed in common areas and noticeboards
supervisor notices and daily bulletins about specific environmental issues
response to community complaints
Site personnel and stakeholders
Site personnel and stakeholders may include:
enterprise employees
contractors and subcontractors
consultants, such as environmental scientists, planners, engineers and external auditors
suppliers and service providers
community representatives and landowners
visitors or members of the public
government/regulator representatives and inspectors
Reports
Reports may include:
non-conformance report form
hazard near miss report form
site/project incident investigation report
weekly environmental report
monthly environmental report
regulatory agency reports (where required by permit, approval or licence conditions)
Site/project records
Site/project records may include:
digital photographs
environmental monitoring data
internal quality/environmental audit reports
records required by permit, approval or licence conditions
records of training
records of monitoring equipment purchase, calibration, inspection, maintenance and service
records of complaints and government requests
records of environmental non-conformances, incidents or significant impacts
contractor and supplier information
electronic/hard copy correspondence
records of approved expenditure and orders
Environmental issues and incidents
Environmental issues and incidents may include:
finding or disturbing an actual/potential cultural heritage item or site
community or stakeholder complaint
failure of erosion or sediment controls
spill or release of chemical, hydrocarbon or other hazardous material
decline in water quality due to site/project activities
decline in air quality due to dust, SOX and NOX
unacceptable noise levels
environmental harm to protected habitat or species
transport of prohibited materials to/from site (e.g. pests, weeds and contamination)
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:
gathering and interpreting environmental management information relevant to site/project
explaining environmental management information clearly to site personnel
collecting, analysing and reporting environmental data
monitoring effective implementation of site/project environmental management plans
assessing environmental risks and impacts arising from site/project activities
recognising, investigating and rectifying environmental management issues within scope of responsibility
keeping management fully informed about site/project environmental performance and issues
maintaining site/project environmental records in accordance with legislative/licensing/enterprise requirements.
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:
MSS027002A Apply environmental legislation, codes and standards
other MSS027000 series units dealing with specific environmental management activities.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
site/project history
relevant legislation, codes, standards, enterprise environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures and checklists
physical resources required for coordination activities, such as maps, laptop computer, digital camera, and monitoring and sampling equipment.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of environmental monitoring results, records, and reports generated by the candidate
review of environmental information developed by the candidate
feedback from peers, managers and/or stakeholder representatives that the candidate is able to safely coordinate environmental management activities for site/project
oral/written tests involving environmental management terms, principles and quantities; set-up, calibration and basic maintenance of monitoring equipment; selection and use of safety equipment and personal protective equipment
analysis of case studies/reports of relevant environmental management issues and incidents
observation of the candidate representing the enterprise at stakeholder meetings or providing environmental management information and instruction to other personnel.
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:
gathering and interpreting environmental management information relevant to site/project
explaining environmental management information clearly to site personnel
collecting, analysing and reporting environmental data
monitoring effective implementation of site/project environmental management plans
assessing environmental risks and impacts arising from site/project activities
recognising, investigating and rectifying environmental management issues within scope of responsibility
keeping management fully informed about site/project environmental performance and issues
maintaining site/project environmental records in accordance with legislative/licensing/enterprise requirements.
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:
MSS027002A Apply environmental legislation, codes and standards
other MSS027000 series units dealing with specific environmental management activities.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
site/project history
relevant legislation, codes, standards, enterprise environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures and checklists
physical resources required for coordination activities, such as maps, laptop computer, digital camera, and monitoring and sampling equipment.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of environmental monitoring results, records, and reports generated by the candidate
review of environmental information developed by the candidate
feedback from peers, managers and/or stakeholder representatives that the candidate is able to safely coordinate environmental management activities for site/project
oral/written tests involving environmental management terms, principles and quantities; set-up, calibration and basic maintenance of monitoring equipment; selection and use of safety equipment and personal protective equipment
analysis of case studies/reports of relevant environmental management issues and incidents
observation of the candidate representing the enterprise at stakeholder meetings or providing environmental management information and instruction to other personnel.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAK66 | MSS027001 | Coordinate environmental management activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D549 | MSS70211 | Graduate Certificate In Environmental Management | Qualification |
| D550 | MSS40111 | Certificate IV in Sustainable Operations | Qualification |