Assessor Resource

ACMCAN301A
Work within a captive animal facility

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit is applicable to wildlife animal keepers or carers who are expected to perform tasks under supervision.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.

This unit of competency covers the process of working effectively within a captive animal facility, complying with legislative requirements and facility policy and procedures and identifying animals in the workplace.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

identify the facility's structure and role within the context of legislative requirements and zoological agreements

comply with captive animal interaction policies and procedures

identify and handle animals in accordance with facility and animal welfare requirements.

The skills and knowledge required to work within a captive animal facility must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace with access to a range of captive animals and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals

follow facility policies and procedures

follow verbal instructions and assist safely with tasks

identify specified species following organisational policy and procedures

identify animals within the workplace to family level, using distinguishing characteristics

maintain records in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

literacy skills to read and follow facility policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; follow sequenced written instructions; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks

oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the facility, including questioning techniques, active listening and consulting with supervisors

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

Required knowledge

animal taxonomy to family level

basic animal behaviour and the potential effects of captivity

basic working knowledge of relevant international agreements and conventions

captive animal facility's policies and procedures, including captive animal interaction, OHS and emergency procedures

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant international, federal and state or territory legislation and codes of practice

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices.

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Captive animal facilities may include:

aquaria

fauna parks

mobile zoos

theme parks

wildlife care and rehabilitation facilities

wildlife parks

zoological parks.

Function and structure of the facility may include:

function:

conservation

education

recreation

research

function should be seen in the context of:

the World Zoo Conservation Strategy

the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

the Captive Breeding Specialist Group

the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks

structures:

facility status:

corporate

family-owned

government

not for profit

internal structure:

organisational sections

roles and responsibilities

lines of reporting.

Legislative requirements may include:

relevant state or territory and local government legislation and regulations in respect to captive animals and OHS.

International agreements may include:

the Agreement between Australia and Japan for the protection of Migratory Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment

the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals

the Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for Flora and Fauna

the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

Other bodies and agencies may include:

animal welfare and rescue groups

government departments and statutory bodies

industry associations

other captive animal institutions/facilities

research organisations

volunteer groups.

Daily routines may include:

answering enquiries from the public

capturing animals

cleaning

completing records

ensuring the security of animals

feeding and watering

general animal husbandry tasks

maintaining equipment and completing minor repairs.

OHS risks when working in a captive animal facility may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Environmentally sensitive work practices may include:

implementing strategies and resources to:

minimise disturbance to animals and their living environment

practise environmentally friendly waste management

reduce noise and odour.

Animal interaction policies and procedures will include:

in-house standard operating procedures for interaction with animals (staff and/or public):

handling

transportation

Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) Accreditation Program - General Standards and Guidelines May 2005 updated September 2007.

Distinguishing characteristics that may be used to identify captive animals include:

age, sex and size

coat or skin colours and texture

eye colour

markings, patterns and permanent scars

toe nail colour

microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.

Animal welfare requirements include:

adequate housing and stock levels

enrichment opportunities

compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations and international conventions

the compatibility of species and breeds

the absence of pests and vermin.

Identification techniques may include:

tattoos, ear tags, leg bands and passive integrated transponder tags.

Communication may be conducted by:

two-way radio, email, the intranet and the internet

it may include:

answering queries from the public

contributing to daily bulletins or media releases.

Animal keeping information systems and software examples include:

International Species Information System (ISIS)

Regional Animal Species Collection Plan (REGASP) computerised collection planning tool

Animal Record-Keeping System (ARKS)

Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System (SPARKS).

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The function and structure of the facility, including its commitment to conservation, is determined. 
The role of the facility is identified within the context of relevant legislative requirements and regional and international agreements. 
Roles and relationships between departments and/or individuals are determined. 
Relationships with otherbodies and agencies are identified. 
Daily routines are completed in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and environmentally sensitive work practices. 
Risks associated with interacting with captive animals are identified and evaluated. 
Animal interaction policies and procedures are interpreted and importance of compliance with personal roles and responsibilities are detailed. 
Procedures used to enter and leave animal enclosures are described and demonstrated. 
Escaped animal procedures are described and practised. 
Negative animal interaction incident procedures are practised in accordance with OHS hazard identification and risk control procedures. 
Common and scientific names are used in accordance with facility requirements to identify animals. 
Distinguishing characteristics are used to identify specific animals within a group or section. 
Animals are handled humanely and in accordance with animal welfare considerations, relevant codes of practice and other legislative requirements. 
Assistance is provided with the application of identification techniques in accordance with OHS requirements. 
Communication is conducted and documented in accordance with organisation requirements. 
Records are kept in accordance with organisation policies and procedures and approved animal keeping information systems and software. 
Records are maintained and stored in accordance with organisation policies and procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ACMCAN301A - Work within a captive animal facility
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ACMCAN301A - Work within a captive animal facility

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: