Assessor Resource

AHCPMG510
Develop a pest survey strategy

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop a plant pest survey strategy to determine the presence, distribution and prevalence of a pest.

Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of these.

The work may be conducted as part of an emergency response to an incursion or as part of routine surveillance, and must be conducted in accordance with established standards and protocols.

This unit applies to individuals who have been appointed or engaged to undertake a role within a pest incursion response. They may also be involved with planning responses to emergency animal diseases and aquatic animal diseases.

This unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They are accountable for the work of others within broad parameters and analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced skilled activities.

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. Obtain and analyse biological information for survey design

1.1 Identify the biological and dispersal characteristics of the pest

1.2 Determine impact of climate on reproduction rates and the predicted distribution of the pest

1.3 Identify the geographical distribution of the host

1.4 Analyse information to determine priority areas to be surveyed

2. Develop survey methodology

2.1 Determine particular type of survey to be designed according to phase of incursion

2.2 Determine field data collection methodology in consultation with technical experts

2.3 Incorporate quality assurance standards that apply to survey methodology and documentation

2.4 Select appropriate diagnostic tests for use in confirming pest presence in samples

2.5 Include procedure for sustainability and biosecurity in survey plan

2.6 Develop instructions for survey teams

3. Determine the resources required

3.1 Determine and document resources required for survey activities in conjunction with technical experts

4. Obtain approval for the survey design

4.1 Document survey design according to protocols and standards

4.2 Submit survey design to appropriate authorities for approval

5. Determine post-survey review processes

4.1 Determine review processes to evaluate implementation and effectiveness of survey program

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 pest survey strategy in accordance with local, regional, State/Territory and national pest management strategies

write work instructions for survey teams

work with other technical experts

analyse biological information for survey design

develop survey methodology appropriate for target pest, environment and terrain

prepare plans to workplace and authority standards

develop review processes according to workplace requirements

apply biosecurity measures in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

biometric principles to biological survey design

the biology of groups of pests and pathogens relevant to the survey

the types and distribution of hosts relevant to the survey

requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

pest biology, behaviour and lifecycles

diagnostic tests for use in confirming pest presence in samples

resources required for survey activities

Assessment must take place in a functioning control centre, or a control centre established for a pest response simulation exercise.

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. Obtain and analyse biological information for survey design

1.1 Identify the biological and dispersal characteristics of the pest

1.2 Determine impact of climate on reproduction rates and the predicted distribution of the pest

1.3 Identify the geographical distribution of the host

1.4 Analyse information to determine priority areas to be surveyed

2. Develop survey methodology

2.1 Determine particular type of survey to be designed according to phase of incursion

2.2 Determine field data collection methodology in consultation with technical experts

2.3 Incorporate quality assurance standards that apply to survey methodology and documentation

2.4 Select appropriate diagnostic tests for use in confirming pest presence in samples

2.5 Include procedure for sustainability and biosecurity in survey plan

2.6 Develop instructions for survey teams

3. Determine the resources required

3.1 Determine and document resources required for survey activities in conjunction with technical experts

4. Obtain approval for the survey design

4.1 Document survey design according to protocols and standards

4.2 Submit survey design to appropriate authorities for approval

5. Determine post-survey review processes

4.1 Determine review processes to evaluate implementation and effectiveness of survey program

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 pest survey strategy in accordance with local, regional, State/Territory and national pest management strategies

write work instructions for survey teams

work with other technical experts

analyse biological information for survey design

develop survey methodology appropriate for target pest, environment and terrain

prepare plans to workplace and authority standards

develop review processes according to workplace requirements

apply biosecurity measures in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

biometric principles to biological survey design

the biology of groups of pests and pathogens relevant to the survey

the types and distribution of hosts relevant to the survey

requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

pest biology, behaviour and lifecycles

diagnostic tests for use in confirming pest presence in samples

resources required for survey activities

Assessment must take place in a functioning control centre, or a control centre established for a pest response simulation exercise.

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
Identify the biological and dispersal characteristics of the pest 
Determine impact of climate on reproduction rates and the predicted distribution of the pest 
Identify the geographical distribution of the host 
Analyse information to determine priority areas to be surveyed 
Determine particular type of survey to be designed according to phase of incursion 
Determine field data collection methodology in consultation with technical experts 
Incorporate quality assurance standards that apply to survey methodology and documentation 
Select appropriate diagnostic tests for use in confirming pest presence in samples 
Include procedure for sustainability and biosecurity in survey plan 
Develop instructions for survey teams 
Determine and document resources required for survey activities in conjunction with technical experts 
Document survey design according to protocols and standards 
Submit survey design to appropriate authorities for approval 
Determine review processes to evaluate implementation and effectiveness of survey program 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG510 - Develop a pest survey strategy
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPMG510 - Develop a pest survey strategy

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

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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