This unit applies pest control officers and managers for work carried out independently within organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine land management/production objectives

1.1. Other land users, regional land management bodies, landcare committees and relevant stakeholders are consulted regarding regional and local objectives.

1.2. Outcomes of consultation incorporating regional and local objectives are recorded according to enterprise guidelines.

1.3. Objectives address major land uses and production activities affected by the impacts of the target pests.

1.4. Objectives relate to the problem definition and the reduction in the pest impacts and associated losses.

1.5. Objectives comply with national, State and regional strategies for land and pest management.

2. Estimate costs and advantages for the management units most affected by the target pests

2.1. The diversity of land management and production values that the target pests affect within the affected region or area is defined.

2.2. The likely costs of preferred options for control of pest populations and/or changes to land management or production activities associated with each value are documented.

2.3. The likely costs of control are compared with the impacts and losses caused by the target pests.

2.4. The management units most affected, both actually and potentially, by the target pests are defined and prioritised.

3. Define the performance criteria for each land management/production objective

3.1. Performance criteria are defined in accordance with sustainable land use principles to address target pests population levels, economic impacts and environmental impacts.

3.2. Performance criteria are realistic and measurable.

4. Select management options for the target pests

4.1. Options for controlling pest populations and/or changing land management or production practices are assessed and documented in terms of economic factors, technical difficulty, practical feasibility, social and/or environmental acceptability.

4.2. A range of management options are assessed in terms of current and future financial support, when control activities are to be implemented, level of target pests population reduction required, and the most suitable control methods and techniques.

4.3. A management option is selected in accordance with sustainable land use principles, economic feasibility, integrated pest management principles, environmental acceptability, and statutory requirements for pest control.

5. Negotiate strategies with relevant stakeholders in the affected area

5.1. The strategy is based on the definition of the problem using data from measurement of abundance and impacts.

5.2. The strategy clearly documents the pest problem, the objectives, the prioritised management units, the performance criteria, and the most suitable management options.

5.3. Strategies are agreed and confirmed through relevant stakeholder consultation and negotiation.

5.4. Strategies are published and distributed to relevant stakeholders, organisations and interest groups.

Required skills

estimate costs and advantages

plan

report and document strategies

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

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

environmental protection legislation

pest control methods and techniques

social and environmental issues

statutory requirements for pest control

land use processes, ecological systems and production systems

pest management options and strategies

plant and animal identification

pest biology

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures.

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

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:

determine land management/production objectives

estimate costs and advantages for the management units most affected by the target pests

define and prioritise the management units most affected, both actually and potentially, by the target pests are

define the performance criteria for each land management/production objective

select management options for the target pests

negotiate strategies with relevant stakeholders in the affected area.

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.

Pests to be targeted may include:

insects

weeds

pathogens

vertebrates

nematodes

molluscs.

Pest management strategies may include:

changing land management or production processes and practices e.g.,:

changing lambing times

changing sowing times

changing crops

modifying habitat

pasture management

pest population control, e.g.:

shooting

poisoning

trapping

mustering

relocation

fumigation

sedation

exclusion fencing

biological controls

harvesting

tagging

weed control including:

chemical

biological control

mechanical removal.

Unit sector

Pest management

This unit contains employability skills.