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.
Data collection regime may include:
performance agreements
quality assurance
catchment gauging sites
work schedules
work priorities
procedures, codes and standards
Testing equipment may include:
surveying equipment (staffs, levels, GPS, EDM, measuring tapes)
stage measurement devices (gauge boards, submersible pressure transducer, gas-purge systems, shaft encoder, radar)
mechanical current meters
meter rods
electronic counters
Acoustic Doppler Velocity meters
Site conditions may include:
gauge height
debris
conditions affecting safety
turbulence
angled flow
wind
aquatic growth
Organisational procedures and relevant industry standards 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 and best practice methodology where standards are not available or applicable
water data base management software for triggering alarms, notifications, advice to relevant authorities and management for actions
instrument calibration
procedures for discharge measurement in open channels using mechanical current meters (waded gaugings, flood gaugings by cableways/travellers/boats)
procedures for data logging (programming, interrogation, data downloading, data security)
procedures for the measurement of surface slopes and flood slopes
procedures for the development, maintenance and extension of rating curves
Relevant supporting information may include:
location of section
personnel details
details of any clearing of the section undertaken
details of testing equipment used
date and time
floating debris
gauge heights
the quality of the gauging
photographic record
sketch
Mathematical techniques that may be used include:
conversion of units
graphical analysis
calculation of point velocity using ratings for mechanical current meters

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 collect hydrometric stream discharge data using wading gaugings including:
gathering, interpreting and applying complex documentation related to the specification of hydrographic data collection and reporting procedures
collecting sample accurately
analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases
preparing clear and accurate reports
storing and archiving data
identifying, reporting and (within scope of job function) solving potential or 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
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.