Required skills

access technical advice

analyse information prepare and write proposals and reports

apply word processing spreadsheet and database skills

develop interpret and review studbooks and husbandry manuals

determine appropriate genetic pairings

determine appropriate demographic management

implement institutional policies and procedures

interpret studbook data and run basic analysis

operate appropriate species management databases

record data using approved animal keeping information systems andor software

literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures critically analyse material and record accurately and legibly information collected

communication skillslanguage to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution including questioning techniques active listening and consulting with management

numeracy skills to complete mathematical calculations relating to species management

interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural social and religious backgrounds

problemsolving skills to use available resources and develop a species management plan

Required knowledge

animal husbandry manual requirements

animal identification to the supspecies level

animal management software such as Animal RecordKeeping System ARKS International Species Information System ISI Regional Animal Species Collection Plan REGASP and Single Population Analysis and Record Keeping System SPARKS

Australasian Species Management Program ASMP and ASMP Regional Census and Plan

ASMP guidelines and criteria for studbook keeping

biology and husbandry of animals in a captive animal environment

breeding control methods

collection planning requirements

concepts of inbreeding and out breeding

international agreements and conventions including the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources conservation status categories

database programs for recordkeeping and data analysis

genetic principles for the management of captive animal populations

importance of breeding coefficients

institutional collection planning policies and procedures institutional master plan and other relevant policies and procedures

principles and constraints of wildlife conservation

principles of animal welfare and ethics

principles of taxonomy and relevance to population management

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

report formats for captive animal management plans

role of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks ARAZP

small population biology

species stocking policies

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

initiate and undertake analyses of species management and collection planning

interpret and undertake analyses of studbooks

write and interpret a strategic plan for a regional population of a species

liaise extensively with internal and external personnel on behalf of the institution in respect to collection planning

manage animal records and provide reports to management as required

The skills and knowledge required to develop and monitor collection management 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 Workplaces may include small or large captive animal facilities traditional or openrange type facilities and mobile or theme park environments

There must be access to the appropriate equipment andor resources to enable one to demonstrate competence

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in ones 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

thirdparty 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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

Collection plans are:

Considerations when preparing a collection plan must take into account:

Internal and external personnel liaison may include:

Factors to consider when evaluating the merits of each species may include:

Databases and other resources that may be used include:

Studbooks may include: