Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist in the implementation of a pest management plan.
Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of these.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work, including limited responsibility for the direction of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
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. Prepare for implementation | 1.1 Identify and read the pest management plan and discuss requirements with supervisor 1.2 Identify legislative requirements appropriate to the plan and determine whether declared species are involved 1.3 Identify the basic concepts of the organisation’s pest management plan and how these impact the plan 1.4 Identify key stakeholders and their attitudes towards pest management plan 1.5 Select and prepare vehicles suitable to the activity 1.6 Select and prepare required materials, tools, machinery and equipment 1.7 Follow work health and safety policies and procedures 1.8 Use and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment 1.9 Identify budgetary or financial constraints for implementing the plan and tailor activities appropriately |
2. Assess targeted pest | 2.1 Identify the targeted pest and determine pest characteristics, including movement paths, habitat use and recolonisation ability 2.2 Identify pest management control method, or combination of methods to be used 2.3 Identify pest status in the context of location, land use, legislative requirements, benefits and damage caused 2.4 Assess target area terrain and hazards and environmental risks associated with implementing the plan, including the potential for the plan to clash with local land management practices |
3. Implement the plan | 3.1 Use safeguards to ensure that the target pest is controlled and all other species remain unharmed 3.2 Assess and control environmental impacts and use biosecurity and sustainability principles outlined in the plan 3.3 Use appropriate application processes or techniques for long term outcomes 3.4 Apply applicable Federal and State legislation relating to animal welfare, property, stock and duty of care 3.5 Identify relevant monitoring techniques and adapt them to obtain the data necessary to assess the effectiveness of the plan 3.6 Use follow-up techniques, where required, to minimise possibility of reinfestation |
4. Complete activities | 4.1 Dispose of carcases or weeds according to enterprise procedures and legislative requirements 4.2 Review outcomes and discuss with supervisor to determine whether there were any obvious failures in implementing the plan 4.3 Complete required documentation and make recommendations to supervisor on issues or improvements 4.4 Clean, store and maintain equipment, tools and machinery |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
carry out the implementation of the plan to organisational standards and in accordance with relevant legislative requirements
apply the appropriate techniques to achieve long term outcomes
assist with the identification of key stakeholders
apply standard monitoring techniques
follow work health and safety policies and procedures
apply biosecurity measures in the context of own work
apply appropriate animal welfare practices in the context of own work
use appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
appropriate legislative requirements with regards to declared species
basic sustainability principles, including the ecological role provided by some pests
Federal and State legislation relating to property, animal welfare and duty of care
risk management approaches
stakeholder engagement and consultation strategies
pest characteristics and how they influence pest management, particularly with regard to pest populations and the ability of pests to rapidly recolonise
pest management control methods and techniques and how they fit into an integrated strategy
standard monitoring techniques
pest status in the context of location, land use, benefits and damage caused
types of follow up techniques that may be required to minimise the possibility of reinfestation
information sources used for identifying and managing pests
animal welfare requirements, if implementing vertebrate pest controls
relevant legislation regarding the destruction, movement and propagation of a declared species
concepts of the strategic approach to Integrated Pest Management
biosecurity principles, including prevention of pest spread
requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Pest Management (PMG)