Assessor Resource

AHCPMG413
Define the pest problem

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required apply a strategic pest management approach to define a pest problem.

Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of all three. The pest problem may be in a local or broader regional area.

This unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility for their own work. They exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work and analyse, design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex problems.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.

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



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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Establish the background to the target pest problem

1.1 Determine landscape and land use within target area

1.2 Establish appropriate consultation with stakeholders in affected area to identify and record their knowledge, concerns and constraints, as part of a program to underpin the planning for the management of the target pest

1.3 Identify desired environmental management and production outcomes

1.4 Collect and record information about management or production processes that relate to the pest problem

1.5 Identify non-target species populations in target area

2. Analyse the target pest problem in the area

2.1 Establish and document the stakeholder’s understanding of the distribution of the target pest within the affected area

2.2 Confirm target pest population, damage, and distribution data obtained from stakeholders, through analysis of other sources of information

2.3 Identify factors, particularly environmental and pest biology, which may influence the target pest population and distribution within the area

2.4 Document the target pest lifecycle, identifying optimum times, locations and behaviours that may impact on the effectiveness of the management program

2.5 Identify non-target species populations and distribution in the area

2.6 Identify risks and benefits to non-target species, environmental, local ecology and production that may be at risk due to the impact of the pest or pest control activities, including possible steps within the management program to minimise or eliminate any adverse impacts on these species

2.7 Identify potential ecological role of target pest in area

2.8 Define potential risks relating to exotic disease or toxicity

3. Determine critical control points for management of the target pest problem

3.1 Identify periods of greatest risk as a result of the impact of the target pest or the proposed management program

3.2 Identify periods of significant vulnerability during target pest lifecycle

3.3 Determine appropriate time period for pest management activity

4. Define and document the impacts of the target pest

4.1 Estimate economic losses and environmental impacts of the pest presence

4.2 Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of managing pest

4.3 Prepare a report on outcomes of investigation for stakeholders

4.4 Determine whether the pest problem warrants the need for a pest management plan

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

produce a written report that details the pest problem in a defined area

identify relevant stakeholders

define the pest problem in consultation with stakeholders

determine the target pest population and distribution and factors impacting population and distribution

determine non-target species populations and distribution in area

identify appropriate times for pest control activities

undertake cost-benefit analysis of pest management

conduct site inspections and consult with relevant stakeholders

apply animal welfare considerations to assessment of pest problem

identify environmental impacts of pest presence and pest management activity

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

the environment, particularly relevant land use, land management and production processes

behaviour of target pests, particularly those behaviours that impact pest susceptibility to being effectively managed

Animal Welfare Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures

pest biology and lifecycles of target pests

land management and production processes of targeted area

ecology of targeted area

economic and environmental thresholds relevant to proposed management approaches

performance criteria for measuring land management and production outcomes

techniques used to validate the target pest population and distribution data supplied by stakeholders and how to obtain other relevant data

how to measure or estimate economic losses and environmental impacts resulting from pest presence

potential ecological role some pests provide

potential disease or toxicity risks

relevant parts of local, regional, State or Territory and national pest management strategies

target pest biology and lifecycles

principles that underpin the strategic approach to managing pests

Federal, State or Territory legislation regulations relating to environmental management, private and public property, stock and duty of care

factors that influence pest population and distribution

periods of vulnerability in the lifecycle of pests

critical control points for management of pest problem

range of pests, non-target species, plant pests and diseases relevant to the targeted area

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


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.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Establish the background to the target pest problem

1.1 Determine landscape and land use within target area

1.2 Establish appropriate consultation with stakeholders in affected area to identify and record their knowledge, concerns and constraints, as part of a program to underpin the planning for the management of the target pest

1.3 Identify desired environmental management and production outcomes

1.4 Collect and record information about management or production processes that relate to the pest problem

1.5 Identify non-target species populations in target area

2. Analyse the target pest problem in the area

2.1 Establish and document the stakeholder’s understanding of the distribution of the target pest within the affected area

2.2 Confirm target pest population, damage, and distribution data obtained from stakeholders, through analysis of other sources of information

2.3 Identify factors, particularly environmental and pest biology, which may influence the target pest population and distribution within the area

2.4 Document the target pest lifecycle, identifying optimum times, locations and behaviours that may impact on the effectiveness of the management program

2.5 Identify non-target species populations and distribution in the area

2.6 Identify risks and benefits to non-target species, environmental, local ecology and production that may be at risk due to the impact of the pest or pest control activities, including possible steps within the management program to minimise or eliminate any adverse impacts on these species

2.7 Identify potential ecological role of target pest in area

2.8 Define potential risks relating to exotic disease or toxicity

3. Determine critical control points for management of the target pest problem

3.1 Identify periods of greatest risk as a result of the impact of the target pest or the proposed management program

3.2 Identify periods of significant vulnerability during target pest lifecycle

3.3 Determine appropriate time period for pest management activity

4. Define and document the impacts of the target pest

4.1 Estimate economic losses and environmental impacts of the pest presence

4.2 Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of managing pest

4.3 Prepare a report on outcomes of investigation for stakeholders

4.4 Determine whether the pest problem warrants the need for a pest management plan

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

produce a written report that details the pest problem in a defined area

identify relevant stakeholders

define the pest problem in consultation with stakeholders

determine the target pest population and distribution and factors impacting population and distribution

determine non-target species populations and distribution in area

identify appropriate times for pest control activities

undertake cost-benefit analysis of pest management

conduct site inspections and consult with relevant stakeholders

apply animal welfare considerations to assessment of pest problem

identify environmental impacts of pest presence and pest management activity

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

the environment, particularly relevant land use, land management and production processes

behaviour of target pests, particularly those behaviours that impact pest susceptibility to being effectively managed

Animal Welfare Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures

pest biology and lifecycles of target pests

land management and production processes of targeted area

ecology of targeted area

economic and environmental thresholds relevant to proposed management approaches

performance criteria for measuring land management and production outcomes

techniques used to validate the target pest population and distribution data supplied by stakeholders and how to obtain other relevant data

how to measure or estimate economic losses and environmental impacts resulting from pest presence

potential ecological role some pests provide

potential disease or toxicity risks

relevant parts of local, regional, State or Territory and national pest management strategies

target pest biology and lifecycles

principles that underpin the strategic approach to managing pests

Federal, State or Territory legislation regulations relating to environmental management, private and public property, stock and duty of care

factors that influence pest population and distribution

periods of vulnerability in the lifecycle of pests

critical control points for management of pest problem

range of pests, non-target species, plant pests and diseases relevant to the targeted area

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

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
Determine landscape and land use within target area 
Establish appropriate consultation with stakeholders in affected area to identify and record their knowledge, concerns and constraints, as part of a program to underpin the planning for the management of the target pest 
Identify desired environmental management and production outcomes 
Collect and record information about management or production processes that relate to the pest problem 
Identify non-target species populations in target area 
Establish and document the stakeholder’s understanding of the distribution of the target pest within the affected area 
Confirm target pest population, damage, and distribution data obtained from stakeholders, through analysis of other sources of information 
Identify factors, particularly environmental and pest biology, which may influence the target pest population and distribution within the area 
Document the target pest lifecycle, identifying optimum times, locations and behaviours that may impact on the effectiveness of the management program 
Identify non-target species populations and distribution in the area 
Identify risks and benefits to non-target species, environmental, local ecology and production that may be at risk due to the impact of the pest or pest control activities, including possible steps within the management program to minimise or eliminate any adverse impacts on these species 
Identify potential ecological role of target pest in area 
Define potential risks relating to exotic disease or toxicity 
Identify periods of greatest risk as a result of the impact of the target pest or the proposed management program 
Identify periods of significant vulnerability during target pest lifecycle 
Determine appropriate time period for pest management activity 
Estimate economic losses and environmental impacts of the pest presence 
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of managing pest 
Prepare a report on outcomes of investigation for stakeholders 
Determine whether the pest problem warrants the need for a pest management plan 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG413 - Define the pest problem
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

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPMG413 - Define the pest problem

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: