Required skills

accessing relevant standards and protocols such as Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan AUSVETPLAN or Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan PLANTPLAN to determine requirements for a specific emergency disease or plant pest response

demonstrating flexibility by modifying priorities and procedures in response to new findings

developing briefing materials for use by others to communicate sensitive and complex information in an appropriate manner

making effective judgements to achieve a balance of taking authority and delegating appropriately

managing a team of people under stressful conditions

managing collection analysis and dissemination of data to guide the ongoing emergency disease or plant pest response

operating effectively under stress while performing tasks requiring highlevel problem solving and decision making

preparing or commissioning a detailed plan to manage an emergency disease or plant pest response including identifying an outbreak of the emergency disease or plant pest monitoring its presence investigating its source and pattern of infection estimating its likely spread and implementing measures and planning procedures for its control or eradication

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use numeracy skills to estimate calculate and record complex workplace measures

use 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

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of relevant state territory and commonwealth Acts of parliament with respect to emergency disease or plant pest control emergency powers and notification of appropriate authorities

extensive knowledge of emergency disease or plant pest control strategies for emergency disease or plant pest situations

extensive knowledge of standards and protocols such as AUSVETPLAN or PLANTPLAN

extensive knowledge of where to source technical information andor expert advice and expertise to effectively manage an emergency disease or plant pest incursion

knowledge of common reactions and behaviours under stress

knowledge of relevant public sector policies practices and constraints in relation to emergency disease or plant pest management

knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements particularly when managing personnel in an emergency under stressful conditions

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

Competency is demonstrated in this standard if the candidate is able to

plan for contingencies

plan oversee and monitor a response to an emergency disease or plant pest incursion

build maintain and motivate a team in response to an emergency disease or plant pest incursion

prioritise allocation of resources

implement best options for problem solving based on risk assessment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

For valid assessment one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to plan and oversee an emergency disease or plant pest control program

The candidate must also have access to a functioning control centre or a control centre established for an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise or in responses to an emergency disease or plant pest incursion

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

The skills and knowledge required to plan and oversee an emergency disease or plant pest control program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts including the ability to deal with unplanned events For example this could include work within control centres established for other emergency diseases or plant pest incursions

Strategies to control the emergency disease or plant pest may include:

Emergency diseases or plant pests may include:

Relevant standards and protocols may include:

Declared areas may include:

Information recording and dissemination requirements may include:

Relevant organisations may include: