This competency standard covers the process of supporting gardening work under supervision. It requires the ability to prepare materials, tools and equipment for gardening work, undertake gardening activities, handle materials and equipment, and clean up on completion of work. Supporting gardening work requires knowledge of safe work practices, planting techniques, garden tools and equipment, maintenance practices for planted areas, and repair and maintenance of garden features. This competency standard covers the process of supporting the installation, operation and maintenance of watering and drainage systems under direct supervision. It requires the ability to prepare materials, tools and equipment for irrigation work, undertake irrigation activities, handle materials and equipment, and clean up on completion of work. Supporting irrigation work requires knowledge of safe work practices, irrigation work techniques, irrigation tools and equipment, and repair and maintenance of irrigation components and systems. This competency standard covers the process of supporting floricultural production under supervision. It requires the ability to prepare materials, tools and equipment for floricultural production work, undertake routine production assistance work, handle materials and equipment, and clean up on completion of work. Supporting floricultural production work requires knowledge of safe work practices relating to basic crop handling techniques including planting, maintaining, picking, and packing, and loading and unloading using associated tools and equipment. This competency standard covers the process of preparing to work in an agricultural, horticultural or conservation and land management industry. It requires the ability to observe safe work practices, communicate with others, contribute to a productive working environment, and follow good environmental practices. Preparing to work with plants, animals and/or land requires knowledge of safe work practices, communication procedures, systems and technology, industry expectations of conduct, presentation and work performance, and good environmental practices in the workplace. This competency standard covers the process expected of workers as part of the daily routine to maintain a tidy and safe workplace including workshops, depots, tool sheds and planted areas. The work is likely to be under direct supervision with regular checking. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a limited range of maintenance tasks and roles. Reporting and recording is undertaken within established routines using methods and procedures that are predictable. There is a specified range of duties and contexts where the choice of actions required is made quite clear by the supervisor. This competency standard covers the process of supporting work carried out in wholesale or retail nurseries while under supervision. It requires the ability to prepare materials, tools and equipment for nursery work, undertake nursery work activities, store and stockpile materials, and clean up on completion of work. Supporting nursery work requires knowledge of safe work practices, nursery hygiene and quality control, nursery plant maintenance activities, basic stock control procedures, and propagation techniques. Write a concise and interesting paragraph here that explains what this course is about Weeds: This competency standard covers the process of treating weeds using cultural, biological and chemical methods. Treatment will follow strict work instructions and will be under supervision. Competency involves the application of knowledge and skills in recognising common weeds, monitoring and recording the severity of the weed problem, applying a range of treatments, and recording relevant information. Pest, diseases and disorders: This competency standard covers the process of treating plant pests, diseases and disorders using cultural, biological and chemical methods. Treatment will follow strict work instructions and will be under supervision. Competency involves the application of knowledge and skills in recognising common plant pests, diseases and disorders, monitoring and recording the severity of the plant pest or disease problem, applying a range of treatments, and recording relevant information. This competency standard covers the process of laying modular paving. Modular paving being pre-cut paving bricks that come in range of sizes and colours. The work is likely to be under routine supervision with intermittent checking. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a range of setting out and laying tasks when paving. This competency standard covers the functions required to maintain and repair properties and structures in a situation that does not require the specialist skills of another trade. It involves the application of basic skills and knowledge to match equipment and materials to job requirements, and select the appropriate tools to carry out repairs. The work is likely to be carried out under routine supervision with intermittent checking usually within a team environment. This competency standard covers the process of maintaining pressurised irrigation systems, including the repair and replacement of basic, simple components under routine supervision. It requires the ability to read and follow an operators manual and manufacturers specifications for pressurised irrigation systems, maintain selected irrigation system components, and record and report maintenance observations and activities. Maintaining pressurised irrigation systems requires knowledge of major components of a pressurised irrigation delivery system, maintenance requirements and procedures for system components, and environmentally safe disposal procedures for chemicals. This competency standard covers the process of production of containerised nursery plants after propagation in production nurseries. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a range of tasks involved in the potting-on process, such as the preparation of growing media, potting-up treatments, and nursery hygiene. The work is carried out within routine methods and procedures under supervision with intermittent checking. Responsibility for some roles and co-ordination within a team may be required. This competency standard covers the process of plant propagation undertaken in enterprises involved in plant propagation and production. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a range of propagation tasks, such as preparing parent plant stock, collecting propagation materials, pre-planting treatments and basic plant propagation techniques. This unit does not include budding and grafting. The work is carried out within routine methods and procedures under supervision with intermittent checking. Responsibility for some roles and coordination within a team may be required. This competency standard covers the process of pruning shrubs and small trees. The work is likely to be undertaken from the ground. Aerial pruning from a ladder, an elevated work platform or from climbing ropes and rigging in a tree, are covered in separate units. Pruning work is likely to be carried out under routine supervision with intermittent checking. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a range of pruning tasks and roles usually within established enterprise routines. This competency standard covers the process of determining the basic properties of soil or soil-less growing media. It requires the ability to collect samples and perform basic tests. It requires knowledge of sample collection techniques, basic soil/growing media properties, and basic understanding of soil/plant relationships. Determining the basic properties of soil or soil-less growing media is likely to be under supervision from others, with checking related to overall progress. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. This competency standard covers the operation of tractors with or without attached equipment. It requires the application of skills to safely utilise the various components and controls of tractors, check and confirm operational status, and set and secure equipment for operation. It also requires knowledge of the distinguishing characteristics of individual tractors including rated power, steering systems, and operational complexities. In addition, competence in tractor operation requires an awareness of licensing and legislative requirements, duty of care to self, others and the environment. The work in this standard is likely to be carried out under some supervision with regular checking within enterprise guidelines. This competency standard covers the process of observing and contributing to positive environmental work practices. It requires the ability to follow workplace directions and instructions, recognise basic environmental hazards and threats and communicate accurately with supervisors and workplace colleagues, and keep simple records. Observing environmental work practices requires awareness of relevant environmental legislation, policies and workplace/industry practices, approaches to improving environmental performance, and environmental issues (especially in regard to water catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat, efficient use of resources, sustainability and waste minimisation). Write a concise and interesting paragraph here that explains what this course is about This competency standard covers the process of following enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures. It requires the ability to comply with workplace procedures in hazard identification and risk control, observe safe practices during work operations, and participate in arrangements for maintaining health and safety of all people in the workplace. Following OHS policies and procedures requires knowledge of employee and employer responsibilities under the OHS Act, enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control, and OHS signs and symbols relevant to area of work.  Working effectively requires the ability to obtain information about the industry, observe employment requirements, accept responsibility for quality of own work, maintain safety of self and others, participate in workplace teams, and follow work schedules. Working effectively in the industry requires knowledge of industry/workplace awards and conditions, employer expectations, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice applying to the industry, OHS policies and procedures, workplace policies and procedures, emergency procedures, organisational structure, and workplace communication channels participating in workplace communications. It requires the ability to follow simple spoken messages, perform routine workplace duties, follow simple written notices, obtain and provide information in response to workplace requirements, complete relevant work related documents, and participate in workplace meetings and discussions. Participating in workplace communications requires an understanding of different modes of communication, basic mathematical processes, and knowledge of communication procedures and systems and technology relevant to the enterprise and the individual's work responsibilities. This competency standard covers the manual planting of trees, shrubs and other containerised and bare-rooted plants, and related tasks such as site preparation and pre- planting treatments. It applies to planting activities in parks and gardens, domestic and commercial landscapes, sporting facilities, planting of windbreaks and shelter belts, programmed environmental maintenance, rehabilitation of natural areas, and the reversal of environmental degradation. Work is usually done under routine supervision and with intermittent checking. Competency is demonstrated by the application of knowledge and skills to a range of planting tasks and roles usually within established enterprise guidelines. This competency standard covers the process of recognising plants that are commonly encountered in horticulture or land management situations. Recognising plants is likely to be under routine supervision with intermittent checking by supervisors, requires a knowledge of plant identification techniques, plant nomenclature, enterprise procedures for obtaining and supplying advice and information about plants, and enterprise expectations about the range and number of plants to be recognised. This competency standard covers the maintenance and operation of machinery and equipment. A practical application of skills and knowledge is required to carry out pre-operational checks, calibrate equipment, report faults and maintain operational records. In addition, an awareness of workplace safety and positive environmental practices associated with machinery and equipment operation is essential. This work is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines. Write a concise and interesting paragraph here that explains what this course is about This competency standard covers the process of providing information to clients and others about plants and their cultural requirements. The provision of information is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall effectiveness. The provision of information requires the application of extensive horticultural knowledge and a broad range of plant-related skills. The provision of information is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required. This competency standard covers the process of controlling weeds, taking into consideration integrated pest management options. Implementation is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall progress. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others may be involved. Implementation requires the application of knowledge in areas such as weed recognition, biology and control, and the lifecycles of weed predators and hosts. This competency standard covers the process of controlling plant pests, diseases and disorders taking into consideration integrated pest management options. Implementation is likely to be under limited supervision from others with checking only related to overall progress. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others may be involved. Implementation requires the application of knowledge in areas such as pests and disease recognition, lifecycles, biology and control, and predators and hosts. This competency standard covers the process of coordinating work site activities for small-scale projects. Responsibility may be for the basic direction and coordination of small groups working on a site remote from the main enterprise, small projects or parts of projects, or small areas within the enterprise. The coordination of work site activities is likely to be under limited supervision with checking only related to overall progress. Work site coordination requires the application of extensive agricultural, horticultural and/or conservation and land management knowledge, and a broad range of relevant skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time constraints. This competency standard covers the process of installing pressurised irrigation systems. It requires the ability to organise resources for installation work, set out and prepare site, install irrigation components, complete installation work, commission irrigation systems and communicate with work team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants. Installing irrigation systems requires knowledge of methods and techniques of irrigation, components of an irrigation system, behaviour of water on varying terrain and soil types, soil water retention testing techniques and soil characteristics, and enterprise OHS procedures. This competency standard covers the process of operating pressurised irrigation systems including the use of pre-start checks, start-up, operation and inspection of the system, and shut down in response to irrigation indicators. It requires the ability to read and follow operations manual and irrigation schedules, measure and interpret flow rates and pressures, identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and take appropriate remedial action, and implement and follow relevant OHS and environmental policies and procedures. Operating pressurised irrigation systems requires knowledge of main components of pressurised irrigation systems, pump types and their operation, environmental impacts of irrigation, soil/plant/water relationships, and water requirements of plants/crops. This competency standard covers the process of carrying out enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures. The unit is also concerned with OHS responsibilities of employees with supervisory responsibilities. It requires the ability to work in accordance with workplace procedures in hazard identification and risk control, carry out safe practices during work operations, and participate in arrangements for maintaining the health and safety of all people in the workplace. Carrying out OHS policies and procedures requires knowledge of employee and employer responsibilities under the OHS Act, enterprise procedures relating to hazards, fires, emergencies, accidents and risk control, and OHS signs and symbols relevant to area of work. This competency standard covers the work undertaken by those employed in the maintenance of newly constructed or established landscapes. Maintenance is likely to be in accordance with an established landscape maintenance program and under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work requires the application of extensive horticultural knowledge and a broad range of horticultural skills. Landscape maintenance is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time constraints. This competency standard covers the process of implementing a grassed area maintenance program. The work is likely to be under limited supervision, with checking only related to overall progress. It requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a broad range of grassed area maintenance skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions and achieving outcomes within time constraints. This competency standard covers the process of establishing turf in sporting, public recreational open space, and/or domestic situations. Turf establishment is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. Turf establishment involves the application of horticultural knowledge with depth in some areas and a broad range of horticultural skills. The work is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of machinery and equipment, work organisation, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time and budget constraints. RTF3011A- This competency standard covers the installation and consolidation of planted areas as part of a horticultural, agricultural or land management tree and shrub planting program. Establishing a planted area is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work requires the application of plant knowledge with depth in some areas and a broad range of horticultural skills. Planting is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement are required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. This unit excludes planting of sports and recreational turf, intensive plant crops and revegetation works. RTF3036A- This competency standard covers the process of planning and establishing plant displays either indoors or as seasonal displays of annual and perennial plants in garden beds.The planning and establishing of plant displays requires the application of horticultural knowledge including plant types, condition and requirements to maintain the plants in prime condition throughout the duration of the display. This competency standard covers the process of implementing a plant nutrition program in the horticultural or agricultural industry. Implementing a plant nutrition program is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work is usually done within a program, routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. This competency standard covers the process of plant propagation by both sexual and asexual methods. Competency involves the application of knowledge and skills to a range of propagation tasks, such as the selection of suitable propagation material, selection and preparation of propagation media, and the application of preparatory treatments. The work is carried out within routine methods and procedures under limited supervision, with checking only related to overall progress. Some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions and achieving outcomes within time constraints. This competency standard covers the process of monitoring and maintaining plants in a wholesale or production nursery. Plant maintenance work is likely to be undertaken with limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The work involves the application of horticultural knowledge and skills to areas such as monitoring environmental parameters, and monitoring and maintaining nursery plants. Plant maintenance is normally done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions, and achieving outcomes within time constraints. This competency standard covers the process of implementing a maintenance program for hydroponic systems. This maintenance includes monitoring the health of the plants, the hydroponic environment, and the nutrient solution that is vital to the success of hydroponic farming. The implementation of a maintenance program is likely to be under limited supervision from others, with checking only related to overall progress. The maintenance and monitoring of hydroponic equipment and the growing environment is usually performed according to enterprise guidelines, and within established routines, methods and procedures. Some discretion and judgement may be required depending on what type of system is to be maintained. This competency standard covers the process of carrying out soil sampling and interpreting the results as a foundation for further horticultural operations such as nutrition programs and irrigation scheduling. Carrying out soil sampling is likely to be under limited supervision from others and with checking only related to overall progress. Soil sampling at this level requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a range of horticultural skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of sites, equipment and materials, organisation of work, services, actions and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. I have added extra units to the list to suit students needs. This competency standard covers the process of planning and implementing a program for the use of chemicals in a workplace. It involves using chemicals as well as supervising others in the use of chemicals concerned, and the ability to modify application requirements as needed. It involves decision making in regards to the risk control measures to be applied when using chemicals in different situations, monitoring safety procedures, and ensuring that others are trained sufficiently in the use of the chemical concerned. It involves the selection and management of chemical application systems. This competency standard covers the process of providing recommendations on plants and their cultural requirements for specific situations and uses. Recommending plants is likely to be undertaken without supervision. Responsibility for and organisation of the work of others, involved in providing information on plants may be required. Recommending plants requires knowledge of principles and practices of plant establishment and maintenance, plant nomenclature, botanical features of plant, plant physiology, soil characteristics, customer service and communication skills. During the tuition time for this unit, the student will be engaged in the following topics · Identifying client preferences & requirements gathering information relevant to the planting site. · Selecting plants to suit specific situations & environments · Advising on plants for specific situations recommendations on the plants & their necessary cultural practices. This competency standard covers the process of supervising landscape project works across a range of situations and environments including amenity and natural resource areas. Such project works may include a planting program, construction of landscape features such as structures, paving, installation of drainage or irrigation, building retaining walls, land shaping and stabilising or a combination of these. Work is likely to be under limited supervision with only general guidance on progress sought by management and/or the client. Responsibility for the work of others may be required. The supervision of landscape project works requires a broad range of skills and knowledge and an ability to coordinate and monitor activities efficiently and effectively. This competency standard covers the process of implementing and monitoring the enterprise OHS program. It requires the ability to provide information to the work group about OHS, facilitate the participation of workers, implement and monitor enterprise procedures for identifying hazards and assessing and controlling risks, dealing with emergencies and hazardous events, and maintain occupational health and safety records. Implementing and monitoring the enterprise OHS program requires knowledge of hazards in the workplace, relevant OHS legislation and Codes of Practice, risk control measures, hierarchy of risk control, and relevant enterprise management systems and procedures. This competency standard covers the process of planning and implementing a program for the use of chemicals in a workplace. It involves using chemicals as well as supervising others in the use of chemicals concerned, and the ability to modify application requirements as needed. It involves decision making in regards to the risk control measures to be applied when using chemicals in different situations, monitoring safety procedures, and ensuring that others are trained sufficiently in the use of the chemical concerned. It involves the selection and management of chemical application systems. This competency standard covers the process of implementing of pest management action plans at the local level. It requires an ability to schedule activities, estimate resources required to complete the work, brief and supervise employees or contractors (where necessary), consult stakeholders , coordinate contingency management activities, and report progress in relation to the pest management action plan. Implementing pest management action plans at a local level requires knowledge of pest biology, vectors, plant survey, ecological systems and production systems. This competency standard covers the process of implementing watering shifts, monitoring factors that influence water requirements and adjusting the irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in those factors, without supervision but with general guidance on progress. It requires the ability to use enterprise monitoring equipment, access irrigation data, plot and read graphic data, measure and interpret environmental data, estimate water availability for plants/crops, and read and apply map data to property features. Implementing, monitoring and adjusting irrigation schedules requires a knowledge of crop and plant health, weather patterns, irrigation monitoring procedures, soil water retention testing techniques, monitoring irrigation surface runoff and infiltration due to soil type and terrain, water quality monitoring methods and techniques, and water authority standards and procedures. This competency RTF4014A is clustered with another unit RTF 4015A . RTF4014A Plan a grow on program covers the process of developing a growing-on plan in production nurseries. The development of the growing-on plan is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress sought by senior management. The work requires detailed knowledge about quality assessment, production scheduling and crop requirements such as growing media, environmental parameters and plant treatments. RTF4015A Plan a propagation program-covers the process of planning a propagation program. Planning requires consideration of management and marketing requirements, selection of appropriate propagation techniques and environmental controls, OHS hazards and hygiene standards. Planning is usually undertaken without supervision, and with only general guidance on progress sought by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others may be necessary. Competency is demonstrated by the application of a broad range of skills and detailed underpinning knowledge to planning and propagation processes, such as propagation techniques, plant varieties and cultivars, weed, pest and disease recognition and control, and plant health requirements. This competency standard covers the process of obtaining, calculating, summarising and presenting the costs of materials, equipment and labour for a project to the best financial advantage of a rural, horticultural or land management enterprise. Costing a project is likely to be undertaken without supervision with only general guidance on progress sought by managers. Costing a project requires a broad range of analytical skills and involves the application of extensive underpinning knowledge that includes pricing structures and project financial requirements. During the tuition for this unit, the student will be engaged in the following topics · Obtaining current prices for the project resources all expected costs · Calculating individual itemised costs of the project compare with planned cost for the job; contingencies · Preparation of a summary of the project cost financial reconciliation according to project plan. This competency standard covers the process of the design and preparation of plant displays for special occasions. This work requires the selection of plants and garden features, design of the display, and implementation of works. The design and installation of the display is likely to be undertaken without supervision. Responsibility for the work of others installing and maintaining the displays may be required.
Designing plant displays requires detailed knowledge of plant recognition and selection and garden design principles. This competency standard covers the process of developing a plant nutrition program in the horticultural or agricultural industry. Planning requires consideration of site factors, plant species requirements, soil and plant tissue analysis, nutrient application procedures, and monitoring OHS hazards and environmental impacts. Developing a plant nutrition program is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others involved in the program may be required. Developing a plant nutrition program requires a broad range of skills and involves the application of extensive knowledge including plant biology, plant nutrition requirements, and soil and other growing media properties. During the tuition time for this unit, the student will be engaged in the following topics · Prior crop production planning, including o Nutritional requirements for the crop o Growing media nutritional testing o Necessary budgeting & OHS considerations. · Detailed production planning, including o Required environment/growing conditions, facilities, labour, materials, equipment, plant material, fertilizer application method · Recording & monitoring during crop production. This competency standard covers the process of preparing garden designs. It requires the ability to negotiate with clients to develop a garden design brief, provide design solutions, select plants, determine irrigation requirements and oversee garden construction. It requires knowledge of plants, landscape drafting, lawns and soil preparation. The preparation of a landscape design is likely to be undertaken without supervision. Responsibility for the work of others may be involved. It requires a broad range of horticultural skills and involves the application of underpinning knowledge with depth in some areas such as plant selection, soils, landscape design principles, drafting techniques, and communication skills. The competency standard Plan a Palnt Establishmnet Program covers the process of developing a plant establishment program and a relevant site plan and specifications. Developing a plant establishment program will require consideration of client needs, site factors, growing requirements of plant species and cultivars, resources and equipment for planting and maintenance, and may also include preparation of plans, specifications, quotations and associated documents. Planning is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress sought by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others involved in the plant establishment program may be required. Developing a plant establishment program requires a broad range of horticultural skills, and involves the application of underpinning knowledge with depth in some areas such as plant selection and planting techniques. This competency standard covers the preparation and implementation of plans to minimise stress in trees. Planning will involve consideration of client needs, site factors, tree species and OHS hazards. Planning is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress sought by managers. Responsibility for the organisation of the work of others involved in the installation of cable and bracing may be required. Preparing and implementing plans to minimise stress in trees requires a broad range of horticultural skills, and requires the application of extensive knowledge in areas such as tree identification, tree physiology, tree stress techniques, and tree maintenance. This competency standard covers the process of promoting and maintaining plant and crop health. Promoting plant health is likely to be undertaken without supervision, with only general guidance on progress by managers. Responsibility for and limited organisation of the work of others involved in the promotion and maintenance of plant health may be required. Promoting plant health requires a broad range of skills and requires the application of extensive knowledge about weed, pest and disease recognition and control, irrigation systems and scheduling, soil management practices, and plant nutrition requirements. Standard Operating Procedures and Job Safety Analysis forms part of Workplace Safety Management. The processes aim to reduce the risk of injury or harm to all individuals within a workplace. Write a concise and interesting paragraph here that explains what this course is about This competency standard covers the process of collecting and identifying plants using taxonomic keys. It requires the ability to prepare for plant collecting, collect plant specimens, preserve specimens and identify plant specimens. Collecting and identifying plants requires knowledge of herbarium collection techniques and ethics, botany, physical and biological habitat types, and plant nomenclature and taxonomy. This competency standard covers the process of developing a management plan for a designated natural resource area. It requires the ability to define the need for a management plan, undertake preliminary planning activities, prepare a site description, analyse site information, identify management strategies and prepare the management plan. Developing a management plan for a natural resource area requires knowledge of management planning principles and issues, basic civil design, environmental assessment, survey and analysis techniques, native fauna and flora, pest plant and animals, revegetation techniques, wildlife habitats, and soil, plant and water testing processes and procedures. This competency standard covers the process of providing specialist advice to clients relevant to agriculture, horticulture, or conservation and land management. It requires the ability to develop and maintain technical knowledge, communicate with clients, and formulate a response to client enquiries and needs. Providing specialist information to clients requires knowledge of environmental sustainability and land use issues, enterprise policy, legislation and consultation methods, techniques and protocols. This competency standard covers the process of preparing estimates, quotes and tenders in a horticultural, agricultural or land management enterprise. Estimates or quotes may be developed as stand alone estimates or quotes for a specific purpose, or they may be incorporated in tenders. Work is likely to be under limited supervision with checking related to overall progress by senior managers. Responsibility for the work of others and team coordination may be required. Estimating, quoting and tendering are usually performed within policy guidelines and procedures where discretion and judgement are required in the selection of technology, work organisation, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. This competency standard covers the process of planning for long-term weed, pest and/or disease control, and then managing the implementation of such a plan. It includes the need to provide input to planning processes that may be occurring elsewhere in the organisation, and to determine the scheduling for implementation. It requires the need to monitor and adjust the plan in response to changing situations, and to subsequently evaluate the outcomes of the weed, pest and/or disease control measures taken. Responsibility for the planning and management of the work of others may be involved. Planning for and managing weed, pest and/or disease control involves the self directed application of knowledge with substantial depth in some areas such as the effects on crops of weeds, pests and/or diseases, including competitive effects on crop yield and the effects of alternative methods of control. It requires a range of technical and other skills such as planning, establishing procedures and control for implementation by others, and the identification of the symptoms of poor growth and lack of vigour in the crop. This competency standard covers the process of developing production plans for agricultural and horticultural crops. It requires the ability to prepare budgets and gross margins, source and interpret relevant benchmark information from consultants or peers, sample soils and plant tissue for testing, manage and monitor crop diaries and associated records, select crop species and variety, determine yield potential for crop, prepare individual paddock plans and a whole farm crop, and review production plan. Developing production plans for crops requires knowledge of determinants of crop yield, market prices, gross margins, cash flow budgets and disease and pest management for relevant crops. This competency standard covers the process of identifying design requirements, determining specifications for suitable pumping and power systems, designing distribution, drainage, storage and treatment systems, and determining capital and operating expense budgets for the system designed. It requires the ability to collect and analyse information, identify design requirements, develop specifications, compare costings, develop budgets and document outcomes. Designing irrigation, drainage and water treatment systems requires knowledge of design processes, developments in related technology, automatic control and monitoring systems, waste management and environmental issues, budgeting, contractual development and obligations, and environmental protection agency regulations. This competency standard covers the process of strategically managing an integrated system involving relationships between irrigation, drainage and environmental systems. This includes determining the feasibility of using or up-grading an irrigation system, installing or modifying the system as necessary, managing water systems, and evaluating irrigation system outputs. Managing irrigation systems requires knowledge of plant requirements, water quality, environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source, cost/benefit analysis, and enterprise policies and procedures. This competency standard covers the process of developing a production plan for a horticultural enterprise. Planning requires consideration of market requirements and site factors, suitable plant species and cultivars, resources and equipment for establishing production sites, planting and maintenance, and preparation of plans, specifications, quotations and associated documents. Work is likely to be under limited supervision with checking related to overall progress by senior managers. Responsibility for the work of others and team co-ordination may be required. Planning is usually undertaken within policy guidelines and procedures where discretion and judgement are required in the selection of technology, organisation of work, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints. This competency standard covers the process of managing plant health in a horticultural or agricultural enterprise. It requires the ability to develop a plant health and management program, implement a plant maintenance program, and prepare a nutrition program. Managing plant health in a horticultural or agricultural enterprise requires knowledge of strategic aspects of managing plant quality, performance and nutrition, management of weed, pest and disease infestations, planning water budgets and irrigation strategies, plant growth processes, and plant growth. This competency standard covers the process of preparing a landscape design for a large project. This landscape project may be on a private or public site and would include a number of design elements and components. The preparation of a landscape project design is likely to be undertaken alone or under broad guidance. Landscape project design involves the application of extensive knowledge and skills, landscape design principles, drafting techniques and computer-assisted drawings (CAD). This competency standard covers the process of managing a plant cultural program for amenity horticulture. It requires the ability to determine the plant cultural requirements of the site, develop a plant cultural program, oversee its implementation, and monitor and review the program. It requires knowledge of plant recognition, plant cultural practices including turf and tree cultural practices, planning and reporting processes, relevant legislation, and supervision and budgeting.
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