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.
Historic system capacity information may include:
previous studies
impact of weather
relevant hydrometric information
previous system deliveries
previous flow rates and operational procedures
Legislative requirements may include:
relevant federal legislation
relevant state or territory legislation
relevant local government by-laws or planning instruments
board or authority by-laws
Environmental requirements may include:
environmental flows
chemicals
nutrients; salinity
downstream requirements
Stakeholders may include:
customers
government
farmer and grower associations
downstream land holders
other water authorities
employees
customer representative committees
land care or similar active groups
local communities
An irrigation system management plan may include:
service levels
capital investment
maintenance levels
Monitor outcomes using a range of indicators that may include:
timeliness of deliveries
flow
input and output quality
testing procedures
frequency
sampling locations
budgets
physical achievement targets
operational procedures
number of complaints

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 develop and review of the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems including:
gathering, interpreting and synthesising information (including historical system capacity data, current legislation and standards, stakeholder views and monitoring results) to underpin the sound development of the irrigation system management plan
consulting widely and effectively
developing effective irrigation system management plans that address the water organisation's objectives and requirements
using data from monitoring arrangements to track the performance of the irrigation system management plan and inform the review of the plan
preparing reports and recommendations for changes to the objectives of the management plan and its implementation
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
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. 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.