This unit applies to managers of natural areas and technical specialists who manage and provide advice on fauna populations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Access fauna populations

1.1. Conduct surveys for distribution, ecology, viability, genetic diversity and threats.

1.2. Increase or decrease in species population size and range is determined.

1.3. Desirability of the population change is assessed in terms of impact on immediate environment.

1.4. Condition of the environment and habitats is assessed for ongoing support of the species.

1.5. Overall species numbers and other locations are researched to determine significance of local population.

1.6. Attitudes of stakeholders to the species are assessed to determine acceptable range of population management options.

1.7. Cost/benefit analysis of population management options is completed.

2. Prepare management plan

2.1. Plan of management is developed from assessment according to enterprise procedures.

2.2. Submissions for funds are made to implement the plan of management according to enterprise procedures.

2.3. Plan of management is assessed, endorsed and recommended according to enterprise procedures, costs and funds.

3. Control or maintain fauna population

3.1. Plan to control or maintain species is developed into a series of intervention measures in accordance with enterprise policy and resource constraints.

3.2. Measures to manage population are implemented according to legislative and enterprise requirements.

3.3. Permits for population management are obtained according to legislative requirements.

3.4. Stakeholders and staff are informed about population management measures according to enterprise procedures.

3.5. Staff are trained, and where required, licensed to manage population.

3.6. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and public safety requirements are met during process to manage population.

3.7. Incidents with species are managed according to legislative, enterprise, occupational health and safety and public safety requirements.

3.8. Plan of management is monitored and adjusted and results recorded in accordance with legislative requirements and enterprise procedures.

Required skills

assess impacts of fauna population on the environment

assess management options for fauna populations

design intervention measures

assess staff capability and provide training

prepare management plan

control or maintain fauna populations

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 oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

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

legislative and enterprise requirements

biology of species, habitats, predators, competitors

field monitoring and assessment techniques

basic veterinary understanding of species

management planning

national and international research on fauna populations and genetic diversity

firearms and/or trapping license requirements

fauna capture and disposal techniques

source information and implement instructions on the care of fauna

Animal Care and Ethics Committee license requirements.

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

Competence in managing fauna populations requires evidence that a fauna population has been successfully managed according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice. The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

assess fauna populations and their habitat

determine the stability and importance of fauna populations for their species

plan intervention measures to improve species distribution, habitat and survivability

prepare a fauna management plan in accordance with legislative requirements and enterprise procedures, including informing staff and stakeholders

control or maintain fauna populations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

all species in local fauna populations.

Population increase may include:

methods of control of predators

physical protection

removal of competitors

breeding programs

management of genetic diversity.

Population decrease may include:

methods of control by poisoning, shooting, trapping, physical removal of habitats, transfer to another location, biological agents, and sterilisation. Protection, regeneration and/or restoration of habitats and re-introduction of fauna to designated areas.

Unit sector

Fauna

This unit contains employability skills.