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.

dissolved oxygen
temperature
salinity or conductivity
pH (acid/alkaline balance)
general water hardness
redox potential
biological oxygen demand (BOD)
alkalinity
chlorine or chloramines
phosphates
total dissolved solids
dissolved carbon dioxide
level of nitrogenous wastes (e.g. ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) and contaminants and pollutants.

turbidity
water flow
water level or depth
activity of pests, competitors and predators
light.

finfish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic reptiles, amphibians, miscellaneous aquatic invertebrates, microalgae, seaweeds, aquatic plants and live rock
adults, larvae, seed, spat, hatchlings, broodstock, juveniles, fry, fingerlings, sporophytes and seedlings.

mechanical/physical/solid, chemical and biological filtration devices (or a combination of two or more different types) where:
mechanical/physical/solid filter:
is part of an RAS that removes solid organic matter and other wastes
is important to ensure organic loads going into biofilters are as low as possible to prevent the more competitive heterotrophic bacteria from taking over and reducing nitrification capacity
reduces the BOD for the system
includes swirl separators, hydrocones, protein skimmers or foam fractionators, drum filters, belt filters, bead and other suspended media filters and screen filters
some degassing or carbon dioxide stripping can also take place
chemical filter:
is where a variety of chemical substances are used to treat water passing through them
examples include activated carbon, zeolites and other ion-exchange mediums
ozone and chemical (such as pH and alkalinity) adjustments are also made, sometimes in a separate area to the chemical filter
biological filter:
is part of an RAS where dissolved metabolic by-products are converted to less toxic forms by microbial action from a range of different bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms
the most important function is the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate (often called nitrification)
aeration or oxygenation equipment such as aerators, aspirators, airlifts and fans
degassing systems for removing carbon dioxide and ozone, including the use of specialised air filters
facilities and processes designed for health management such as quarantine area, sterilising using ultraviolet light and ozone, and pasteurising using heat or steam
water treatment devices such as those that maintain pH (acid/alkaline) balance
components that regulate environmental and climate control factors such as temperature, photoperiod and light intensity
ventilation systems, fans, blowers and humidifiers/ dehumidifiers.

a system in which at least some of the water is recycled one or more times back into the system after some form of treatment
also called a closed system (which is the opposite to a flow through or open system where there is little residence time for the culture water)
where generally some form of water treatment with equipment or structures, particularly aeration or oxygenation and processing of nitrogenous wastes, is undertaken
where a water exchange (replacement) rate of 5 to 10% per day is used to assist in maintaining water quality (particularly nitrate control).

tanks, raceways and RAS
live holding systems
purging or depurating systems
display tanks, aquaria and aquascapes (ornamental industry)
grow out facilities, hatcheries and nurseries
water supply and disposal systems for closed and semi-closed systems
pest, predator and disease control structures
harvested stock holding structures, tanks, bins and cages.

relevant local, state or territory, and federal legislation, regulations and orders relating to:
soil and water management
roadways, access and right of way
water or land ownership and use
building structures
trespass and theft
water or land tenure
use of motor vehicles and equipment on public roads or in public waters
leases, permits and licences
control of weeds, pests and diseases
use of chemicals and biological agents
product quality assurance
trade practices
biosecurity and translocation or introduction of exotic species
OHS
food safety
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, and World Heritage and other international treaties of which Australia is a signatory.

SOP
industry standards or codes of practice
production schedules
material safety data sheets
work notes
product labels, manufacturers' specifications or guidelines
operations or maintenance manuals
enterprise policies and procedures, including those relevant to waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
OHS procedures
supervisor oral or written instructions
work and routine maintenance plans.

operational diaries
staff comment and/or personal testing of systems
observation of structures, machinery and equipment
manufacturer in-service updates
operator manuals
property improvement groups
relevant government departments
other enterprise operators, contractors and service representatives.

maintenance performance
capital and operating costs
problems
priorities
solutions
schedules, timetables and deadlines
performance limits or specifications
completed work.

designated component or system
number
size, volume and footprint area
production requirements, including number, tonnage, timing and production characteristics
construction materials of the system or facility
construction method
equipment and resources
location
budget
environmental constraints
owner preferences
quoting procedures
product or material availability
schedule of licensed labour required
security factors
permits and licences
compliance with the standard specification and legislation and regulations of the relevant state or territory construction and power authorities.

operation and maintenance details and other outcomes achieved
dates, times and progress against timelines of activities or events
checklists, data sheets, inventory and stocktakes
KPIs
Gantt chart
graphs, charts and tables
electronic or hard copy
personnel and subcontractor performance data
details related to culture or holding structures or systems
culture or holding stock species
associated equipment and infrastructure
problems experienced and strategies to overcome them.

designated jobs tasks, directions or designs
order of activities
specific structures or components
location
date and time tasks are to be undertaken
expected time required to complete activities
standard for completed activities
materials, supplies, tools, equipment or other resources required
the person in charge
other members of work team and their roles, responsibilities and skills
preferred supplier list and resources required by external workers and tradespeople
non-conformance or incident/fault reporting procedures
contingency plan to address staffing and equipment supply problems
contingencies for responding to partial or full system shutdown, stock stress or mortalities
costs and budget details
manufacturers' guidelines or instructions
maintenance schedule for particular items of equipment
pre- and post-operational and safety checks
routine maintenance procedures
hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control measures
OHS procedures, including personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) requirements
environmental impact control measures
local, state and federal government regulations
monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures, including logs or checklists.

business plan, strategic plan and budgets
seasonal variations or production cycle
marketing requirements
climatic conditions and changes
production amounts and specifications
staff and contractor availability
verbal instructions.

machinery, equipment and materials including welders (arc, gas and metal inert gas [MIG]), lathes, bench presses, multimeters and ohm meters, inspection pits, lifting and support equipment (jacks, overhead gantry and blocks), power tools (grinders and drills), and hand tools (spanners, hammers and screwdrivers)
workshop storage requirements, including racks for commonly used steel angle, rods, tube metal and wire, or boards for orderly placement of tools.

risks to culture stock during emergency shutdowns or breakdowns
breakdown of components
non-standard water quality parameters
emergency procedures
risks to infrastructure and equipment
risks to environment
risks to product quality and food safety
disease outbreaks
adverse weather conditions and acts of nature such as flood or fire
compromised water source
bypass of components.

aeration and oxygenation
water quality treatment
water supply and disposal
food and nutriments
grading
stocking
handling
harvesting
transport
holding or storage
post-harvest and processing
control and treatment of pests, predators and diseases.

codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
hazard and risk assessment and associated control measures
appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE which may include overalls, gloves, eye and hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and boots
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register.

minimising waste
disposing of poor quality food
managing, controlling and treating effluents and wastes and reducing contaminants
preventing live culture or holding organisms from being introduced into the environment
disposing of dead plant or animal matter
applying animal welfare ethics
monitoring and controlling BOD
minimising noise and exhaust emissions
reducing damage to native vegetation and animals
safely using and disposing of maintenance debris such as oil containers and chemical residues, and hazardous substances such as fuel and oils
reducing dust problems, soil disturbance and increased run-off flows from machinery use and unsafe cleaning and servicing activities.

The evidence guide provides advice to inform and support appropriate assessment of this unit. It contains an overview of the assessment requirements followed by identification of specific aspects of evidence that will need to be addressed in determining competence. The evidence guide is an integral part of the unit and should be read and interpreted in conjunction with the other components of competency.
Assessment must reflect the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Seafood Industry Training Package into which this unit is being imported.

Overview of assessment requirements
A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to select, plan or design a system or facility using high technology water treatment components within an enterprise. Evidence of review of the selection, plans and designs will be required for assessment of competency..
Products that could be used as evidence include:
work plans, schedules, drawings and scale models
budgets, order forms, invoices, materials lists and contracts of service
analysis of decisions against other appropriate operations
documentation demonstrating the development and implementation of SOP
work diary, photographs or videos
case studies, simulation or drills.

Processes that could be used as evidence include:
the methods used to select equipment, devices and components and review their size and capabilities
assessment of the impact of the selected or designed system or facility on stock, labour, OHS, cost reduction and efficiency.

Resource implications for assessment include access to:
workplace documentation and personnel
relevant legislation, standards and guidelines.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
evidence is collected over a period of time and includes both direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence
while there should be some access to an actual workplace, part of the assessment may be through simulated project-based activity, scenarios, case studies, role plays or actual participation in sustainable work practices and processes
the candidate has been a key person in the selection, planning or design of a system or facility using high technology water treatment components and that the proposed system or facility complies with legislative requirements
there be an assessment of a proposed system or facility against chosen industry benchmark operations.

Integrated competency assessment:
means that this unit can be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered necessary for effective work participation. The numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit.
Level 1 represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively.
Level 2 represents the competence to manage tasks.
Level 3 represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks
Communicating ideas and information
ideas and information with regard to operational requirements and costings may be discussed with staff, contractors and suppliers
making suggestions for improved processes and reporting where appropriate. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
documenting information with regard to the performance and outcomes of maintenance or upgrade activities
collecting and analysing evidence. (3)

Planning and organising activities
planning and coordinating maintenance or upgrade activities with staff around enterprise operations
developing the work plan and schedule. (3)

Working with others and in teams
coordinating methods and procedures to monitor and conduct maintenance and upgrade activities to achieve work plan
consulting with personnel to identify strategies for improved practices. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
applying mathematical techniques to estimate and calculate maintenance and upgrade costings within budgetary guidelines
collating and evaluating data during operational or commissioning activities for improvements. (2)

Solving problems
problems of staff, resources or supply may be planned for and prepared in a contingency plan to minimise disruption to work schedules or interference with stock production. (2)

Using technology
accessing information, communicating, monitoring, measuring and recording information with regard to maintenance and upgrade activities and performance
using software systems for recording and filing documentation
using software applications for collating and evaluating numerical data. (1)