1. RMIT University
School of Global, Urban and Social Studies
2016 Environmental Work Practice
Supervisor’s Report
Supervisors and students should formally discuss the questions raised in this report. The report must be
signed by the supervisor and the student. The student must attach a scanned copy of this completed
and signed report to their Task 4 Final Reflective Report, Due Friday October 21
Student Name: Sushant Gurung Student ID: s3424645
Host Organisation Name: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of
Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Workplace Supervisor: Dr Lindy Lumsden Position:Principal ResearchScientist
Workplace Supervisor’s Email: Lindy.Lumsden@delwp.vic.gov.au
1. Position title and type of work the student has undertaken:
Research Scientist– Wildlife Ecology.Assistingwiththe Departmentof Environment, Land, Waterand
Planning’s Leadbeater’s Possumresearchproject, involvingsurveyingforLeadbeater’s Possums toenable
protection fromtimberharvesting, andadetailed research projecttoassessthe effectiveness of developing
artificial hollows toincrease the numberof nestingsitestoimprove conservation prospects. The specificwork
involved examiningalarge numberof photographs takenof animalsinvestigatingandbuildingnestsinthe
artificial hollows, withSushantexaminingover40,000 photostakingusingremote camerassetup at the hollows.
Each photo wasexamined toidentify the species anddocumentthe behaviourof the animals. The datawas
entered intoExcel andtheninterpreted andsummarisedintoaninformative table format. Alsocontributed to
preparingequipmentforfieldsurveysandparticipated inafieldtriptoverify areported colony of Leadbeater’s
Possumsubmitted byacommunity group. Inthe fieldworkedwithecologists andarborists tosafely and
effectively install remote camerashighintreestodetectthe nocturnal,crypticLeadbeater’s Possum. This
involved workingindense forestedvegetationnearPowelltown, while adheringtosafety protocols andtaking
precautions inorderto avoidanypotential hazards (includinglotsof leeches!). Attended staff meetingsand
workshops onotherprojects beingundertaken atARI whichprovided insightsintothe range of biodiversity
researchundertaken inDELWP.
2. Supervisor’s assessment of the student (Please tick the appropriate columns :)
Excellent
Very
good
Good Poor
Very
Poor
Knowledgerelevant to the work

Capacity to orient and adapt to the work
environment

Communication skills (written) 

2. RMIT University
School of Global Urban and Social Studies
Sustainabilityand Urban PlanningDiscipline
Environmental Work Practice | Supervisor Report Proforma
Communication skills (verbal) 
Capacity to work with limited supervision and to
manage tasks

Demonstration of initiative and self direction 
Work planning and problem solving skills 
3. Please provide additional comments explaining the above evaluation of the student’s
performance:
I was very pleasedwithhow Sushantperformed inthisworkplacement–he isa very bright, motivated student
whowas very thorough anddiligentinperformingthe workrequired andhada keeninterestinunderstanding
where the work fittedintothe biggerpicture. Althoughnotexperienced inthisareawhenhe started, he learnt
quickly andwasable to manage hisowntime and tasksand stay motivatedduringperiodswhen therewas
limitedsupervision.
4. Based on the work undertaken by the student, what strengths would you highlight?
 Very motivatedtounderstand the work andcomplete taskstoa highstandard
 Very focused andconcentrates well
 Highlevel of self awareness andjudgmenttoeffectively balance workload,timeconstraints and
competingdemands
 Time management
 Ability toworkindependently withsometimes limitedandsporadicsupervision,andstayingfocused
duringthese periods
 Prioritisingtasks
 Honest, trustworthy andrespectful
 Keenandenthusiastic
 Quicklearner
 Eye for detail
 Very interested ineverythingthatisgoingon andalwayskeentolearnmore about thisand other
projects andprocesses – keentounderstand how the systemworkandthe background to issues and
biggerpicture outcomes.
 Good people skills–fittedinvery well intothe team.
 Askedforclarification andassistance where required.
 Showed initiativeinwaystointerpretandpresentdataina concise summarised formatthatenabled a
clearunderstandingof whatthe large amountof data was revealing.
5. Based on the work undertaken by the student, what areas for improvement would you
highlight?

3. RMIT University
School of Global Urban and Social Studies
Sustainabilityand Urban PlanningDiscipline
Environmental Work Practice | Supervisor Report Proforma
 Ensuringhas a clearerunderstandingof the purpose anddirection of the work, andcheckinginmore
regularly if thingsaren’tclear.
 Readingall available documentation togetacomprehensiveunderstandingof the work.
 Improvingdatamanagementhabitsbymore regularly backingupdata.
 Havinga more structured diary to be more efficientintime management.
 Timely summarizingoutcomes andtasksfrommeetings.
6. What is the main area of professional development that the student needs to attend to
concerning:
Knowledge:
 Publicservice rolesandresponsibilities andhow the systemworksingovernment
 Balancingpersonal values andpublicservice responsibilities.
Skills:
 Competency inExcel includingmanipulation of data
 Improved communicate withco-workerstoensure full understandingof the purpose of the work
 Clearly identify goalsandalignpathways toachieve importantoutcomes
 Time efficiency
 Meetingdeadlines
Other:
None to report.
7. Did the student fulfil the goals devised in the WIL Schedule completed at the outset of the
placement? Yes/No (If No, please provide details).
The listof goalsSushantoutlined atthe startof hiswork placement.
Effectively communicate scientificcontent,methodsand
thinking
Yes – improvedthroughthe placementin
effectivenessinthisaspect
Accuratelyevaluate understandingof behaviourand
ecological process
Yes – learnthow to evaluate behaviorinrespectto
the specificprojectbutscope forfurther
understandingmore broadly
Ensuringthe projectisconsistentlyuptoprofessional
standards
Yes – consistenthighqualityworkmeeting
professionalstandardswithahighlevel of focuson
detail
Decipherandcategorise accordingtobehaviourand
species
Yes – accuratelyinterpretedbehaviorfromthe
photosthroughdiscussionswith coworkersand use
of references
Abilitytoprofessionallypresentfindingsof the collected
data
Yes – completedsummariesof the data
professionallyandeffectively
Maintaininghighstandardsof organisationand Yes – couldimprove intermsof organization(e.g.

4. RMIT University
School of Global Urban and Social Studies
Sustainabilityand Urban PlanningDiscipline
Environmental Work Practice | Supervisor Report Proforma
presentation regularlybackingupdata) but overall verygood.
Investigate temperaturedataeffectivelycollectedby
data loggers
No – didn’tgetto thiscomponentof the work – the
photoswere a higherprioritysofocusedonthese
Explore otheropportunitiesatDELWP such as assisting
withinsectivorousbats
Partial – participatedinworkshopsandmeetingson
otherprojectsto getan understandingof the
broaderworkat ARI
Improve abilitytoworkproductivelyandcooperatively
withotherstowardsa commongoal
Yes – workedwell withotherteammembers,
productivelyandefficiently,towardsacommongoal.
8. On the basis of your student placement experience, identify any skills, knowledge or subject
area you think the course (Environmental Work Practice) or the program (Bachelor of
Environment and Society, or the double degree with Environmental Science, if relevant) should
address:
More information onNatural Resource ManagementandGISskillswouldbe useful.
Havinga more structuredprogramsetup to enable studentstovolunteerwithDELWP.
9. Do you have any other recommendations to make regarding the Work Integrate Learning
placement program?
Allowingmore time toseek opportunities forplacementasthiscan sometimes take quiteawhile tosetupto
finda suitable projectandsupervisor–critical thingsare time and networks.
Have past graduatestalkingtostudents ontheirexperience –early oninprocess when lookingforplacement.
Considerthe prosandcons of pairingSustainableStrategies(double creditsubject) inthe same semester.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of the Environmental Work Practice Program, or any aspects specific
to this evaluation form, please don’t hesitate to email blanche.higgins@rmit.edu.au or call on
0409352261.
Supervisors Signature:
Date: 21/10/2016
Student’s Signature:

5. RMIT University
School of Global Urban and Social Studies
Sustainabilityand Urban PlanningDiscipline
Environmental Work Practice | Supervisor Report Proforma
Date: 21/10/2016