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 animal housing requirements in consultation with others and prepare enclosure for occupation

maintain animal housing, including security, hygiene, pest control and appearance

update enclosure and exhibit maintenance records.

The skills and knowledge required to prepare and maintain animal housing 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 animal housing and temporary housing as well as 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).

Required skills

complete minor repairs

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with animals

identify horticultural and maintenance tasks, establish responsibility levels and work schedule timelines in consultation with supervisor

implement facility policies and procedures

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

maintain records related to enclosure and exhibit maintenance status

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

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

educational and interpretive functions of enclosures

pest identification and associated risks and controls

principles and protocols for enclosure or exhibit design, including aesthetics, function and effects of introduced fixtures and features

principles of enclosure landscaping and horticulture, including knowledge of exhibit plants and weeds

principles of animal welfare and ethics

relevant facility policies and procedures, including OHS, animal welfare, ethics, hygiene standards and other industry guidelines

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and codes of practice, including OHS and animal welfare

safe animal handling techniques and procedures with respect to 'shifting' animals if and when required for enclosure maintenance

safe work practices

security control principles

specialist enclosures for different animals

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials and associated OHS.

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.

Behavioural and physical requirements may include:

behavioural requirements:

environments that replicate normal feeding behaviour

environments that provide appropriate stimulation for the animals

normal activity patterns:

crepuscular

diurnal

nocturnal

physical requirements:

appropriate space/features based on whether animal is arboreal, terrestrial or aquatic

appropriate substrate

temperature and humidity regimes.

Animal enclosures may include:

aquaria

aviaries

cages

habitat boxes

paddocks

walk through or closed off enclosures.

Enclosure furniture requirements may include:

shading, shelters, walkways/paths and behavioural enrichment features:

branches, logs, rocks and vines

landscaping

vegetation

water features.

Considerations when assessing the impact of furniture should include:

furniture hardiness, attractiveness and compatibility

keeper/carer access

the obstruction of animal movement or view

the safety of new materials (e.g. toxicity or splintering)

wear and tear.

Species-specific requirements may consider:

housing options:

caged

fully enclosed

indoor

moated

naturalistic

outdoor

social options:

solitary

pairs

single sexed groups

polyandrous/polygamous groups

mixed species.

Enclosure security may involve:

checking for pests within animal housing or enclosures

checking there are no unauthorised people in animal enclosures

checking that locks and slides are in good working order

considering compatibility of species and breeds within housing

ensuring animals are safe and secure in their housing

identifying any animal housing faults that may result in escape

maintaining structures in good order.

OHS risks when handling animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries if working in with the animal or animal has potential to reach keeper through barriers

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

electrical when using water in close vicinity of electrical outlets

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

intraocular contamination

manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting

moving parts of machinery or equipment

noise, including machinery and some animals

release of infective agents (animal and human)

repetitive strain injury (e.g. raking and scrubbing)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Maintenance attention may be classified by:

major urgent repairs:

broken windows

faulty locks/slides

landscaping concerns

repairs to holes in wire, roof or doors

minor repairs:

repairing signs or taps

replacing plants.

Cleaning regime may include:

behavioural needs of animals and their impact on the cleaning routine

chemicals that cannot be used with certain animals

equipment and cleaning agents to be used

importance of odour for some species

safety of self and animals

sequence of cleaning events

time to perform the cleaning tasks.

Pests may include:

cockroaches, spiders, ants and flying insects

predators and parasites

rats and mice.

Tools and equipment may include:

blowers

cleaning agents

mowers

pressure cleaners

rakes and spades

secateurs

wheelbarrows

whipper snippers.