Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to supervise animal care and housing operations, supervise staff, and implement plans for the commissioning of new or renovated enclosures or exhibits.
This unit applies to senior or more experienced keepers with extensive zoo keeping or related experience who supervise others and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Supervise enclosure and exhibit staff | 1.1 Identify personnel, material and equipment required to manage and maintain enclosures and exhibits 1.2 Arrange recruitment and induction of staff 1.3 Develop and coordinate rosters to balance job requirements, responsibility levels and skill development opportunities 1.4 Communicate and enforce safe work practices for all staff 1.5 Review work operations and improve operational efficiency 1.6 Identify staff skills and knowledge gaps and arrange training |
2. Supervise animal care and housing operations | 2.1 Monitor enclosure and exhibit security according to WHS and animal welfare requirements and prepare recommendations for improvements 2.2 Assess and evaluate animal care strategies in consultation with animal handlers and other relevant staff members 2.3 Monitor enclosure and exhibit maintenance works 2.4 Implement environmentally safe pest control procedures as required 2.5 Initiate urgent maintenance works 2.6 Update animal housing maintenance records |
3. Implement plans for new or renovated enclosures and exhibits | 3.1 Review current exhibit status in consultation with staff 3.2 Submit exhibit development and renovation proposals to management for consideration 3.3 Identify and assess factors that may impact on commissioning of new or renovated enclosures and exhibits 3.4 Develop, review and evaluate operating procedures for new or renovated exhibits in consultation with relevant departments and staff 3.5 Brief staff on revised operating procedures 3.6 Update facility master plan |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria
Skill | Description |
Writing | Produce operational documents that communicate clear messages to the audience |
Oral communication | Interact effectively with staff to ensure work is completed in a timely and safe manner Present proposals to management with confidence |
Sectors
Captive Animals (CAN)