1. Obtain and use information about the emergency disease or plant pest and an appropriate response.
   • Information about emergency disease or plant pest and appropriate response is accessed and applied during an emergency disease or plant pest response.
   • Information is used to address specific work needs and further information requirements are identified.
   • Information and/or resources required from stakeholders are identified and accessed.
2. Work according to organisational requirements.
   • All communication with stakeholders is carried out according to organisational policies and procedures.
   • All work undertaken reflects a current working knowledge and understanding of organisational requirements.
   • All work undertaken reflects understanding and compliance with relevant duty of care and legal responsibilities.
   • Work activities conform to relevant legislation, regulations, procedures and codes of practice appropriate to work area and level of responsibility.
   • Hazards and risks relevant to specific work being undertaken are identified and responded to as required.
   • Work is carried out according to organisational policies and procedures.
3. Manage own work.
   • Work instructions are interpreted correctly and clarification is sought if inconsistencies are noted.
   • Workload is assessed and competing demands are prioritised to achieve personal, team and organisational goals and objectives.
   • Need for physical and human resources is communicated clearly to appropriate person(s).
   • Own role, responsibilities and duties are performed in a positive manner that promotes cooperation within the workplace.
   • Importance of own and others' roles in achieving organisational goals is respected.
   • Personal symptoms of stress and their potential to impact on performance are recognised, action is taken to minimise their negative effects and undue personal stress is reported to appropriate persons.
4. Comply with biosecurity requirements.
   • Biosecurity procedures relevant to own work area are identified.
   • Work activities are carried out according to established biosecurity procedures.
   • Personal protective equipment and fomites are maintained according to biosecurity procedures.
   • Biosecurity breaches are reported immediately to appropriate person.
   • Biosecurity records are completed according to work area requirements.
5. Adapt to change as required.
   • Need for change in own work practices to reflect critical emergency issues or emerging trends is identified and assessed.
   • Changes required are discussed and agreed with senior staff.
   • Own work practices are changed where required and according to agreed arrangements.
   • Flexible approach that takes account of changing priorities and circumstances is applied when implementing instructions for changes to work practices.
   • Change is monitored to determine the effectiveness of revised work practices and senior staff members are advised of findings.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills include

operating in stressful situations

prioritising conflicting demands

working in a strict line management environment

Required knowledge includes

district regional and local plans

functional plans of other government agencies

legal and regulatory framework under which responses are taken

national plans such as Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan AUSVETPLAN or Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan PLANTPLAN

occupational health and safety OHS and biosecurity procedures

national state and territory plans

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below

Assessment must confirm ones ability to

access and use national plans such as AUSVETPLAN or PLANTPLAN

operate within a response team

operate effectively under stress in tasks involving problem solving in relation to own role

make effective judgements

follow instructions

provide advice in area of expertise and authority

understand legal and regulatory implications of ones own role in an emergency disease or plant pest response

Context and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in a simulated workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions

For valid assessment one must have opportunities to participate in exercises case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in an emergency disease or plant pest response

The candidate must also have access to the following resources

simulated workplace for an emergency disease or plant pest response for assessment using scenarios case studies role plays and group work

access to local regional district state and territory and national plans relating to an emergency disease or plant pest response

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 work effectively in an emergency disease or plant pest response must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts including the ability to deal with unplanned events This could include

working in the field or in a local state or national control centre

participating in a response to a plant pest or to an emergency disease of animals fish or other marine animals

participating in a response to a natural disaster

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.