Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required apply a strategic pest management approach to define a pest problem.
Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of all three. The pest problem may be in a local or broader regional area.
This unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility for their own work. They exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work and analyse, design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex 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. Establish the background to the target pest problem | 1.1 Determine landscape and land use within target area 1.2 Establish appropriate consultation with stakeholders in affected area to identify and record their knowledge, concerns and constraints, as part of a program to underpin the planning for the management of the target pest 1.3 Identify desired environmental management and production outcomes 1.4 Collect and record information about management or production processes that relate to the pest problem 1.5 Identify non-target species populations in target area |
2. Analyse the target pest problem in the area | 2.1 Establish and document the stakeholder’s understanding of the distribution of the target pest within the affected area 2.2 Confirm target pest population, damage, and distribution data obtained from stakeholders, through analysis of other sources of information 2.3 Identify factors, particularly environmental and pest biology, which may influence the target pest population and distribution within the area 2.4 Document the target pest lifecycle, identifying optimum times, locations and behaviours that may impact on the effectiveness of the management program 2.5 Identify non-target species populations and distribution in the area 2.6 Identify risks and benefits to non-target species, environmental, local ecology and production that may be at risk due to the impact of the pest or pest control activities, including possible steps within the management program to minimise or eliminate any adverse impacts on these species 2.7 Identify potential ecological role of target pest in area 2.8 Define potential risks relating to exotic disease or toxicity |
3. Determine critical control points for management of the target pest problem | 3.1 Identify periods of greatest risk as a result of the impact of the target pest or the proposed management program 3.2 Identify periods of significant vulnerability during target pest lifecycle 3.3 Determine appropriate time period for pest management activity |
4. Define and document the impacts of the target pest | 4.1 Estimate economic losses and environmental impacts of the pest presence 4.2 Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of managing pest 4.3 Prepare a report on outcomes of investigation for stakeholders 4.4 Determine whether the pest problem warrants the need for a pest management plan |
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:
produce a written report that details the pest problem in a defined area
identify relevant stakeholders
define the pest problem in consultation with stakeholders
determine the target pest population and distribution and factors impacting population and distribution
determine non-target species populations and distribution in area
identify appropriate times for pest control activities
undertake cost-benefit analysis of pest management
conduct site inspections and consult with relevant stakeholders
apply animal welfare considerations to assessment of pest problem
identify environmental impacts of pest presence and pest management activity
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the environment, particularly relevant land use, land management and production processes
behaviour of target pests, particularly those behaviours that impact pest susceptibility to being effectively managed
Animal Welfare Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures
pest biology and lifecycles of target pests
land management and production processes of targeted area
ecology of targeted area
economic and environmental thresholds relevant to proposed management approaches
performance criteria for measuring land management and production outcomes
techniques used to validate the target pest population and distribution data supplied by stakeholders and how to obtain other relevant data
how to measure or estimate economic losses and environmental impacts resulting from pest presence
potential ecological role some pests provide
potential disease or toxicity risks
relevant parts of local, regional, State or Territory and national pest management strategies
target pest biology and lifecycles
principles that underpin the strategic approach to managing pests
Federal, State or Territory legislation regulations relating to environmental management, private and public property, stock and duty of care
factors that influence pest population and distribution
periods of vulnerability in the lifecycle of pests
critical control points for management of pest problem
range of pests, non-target species, plant pests and diseases relevant to the targeted area
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)