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

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Collate all available data

1.1. Data on pest abundance are collated.

1.2. Data on economic impacts of pests are collated.

1.3. Data on environmental impacts of pests are collated.

1.4. Data on pest strategy operating costs are collated.

2. Assess data against objectives and performance criteria

2.1. Actual results are compared with objectives and performance criteria for the strategy.

2.2. Actual costs are compared with budget for the strategy.

2.3. Cost and benefits of the strategy are analysed and documented.

3. Compile report of strategy evaluation

3.1. Report includes discussion of results of data analysis.

3.2. Indicators of good performance of the strategy are isolated and discussed.

3.3. Indicators of poor performance of the strategy are isolated.

3.4. Causes of poor performance are examined.

3.5. Conclusions about pest management strategy in relation to changes in pest abundance and impacts are clearly stated.

3.6. Conclusions are supported by the data.

4. Recommend modifications to pest management strategy

4.1. Recommendations and relevant issues are documented in a report according to enterprise guidelines.

4.2. Recommendations to modify or eliminate causes of poor performance, or to enhance current performance are made.

4.3. Recommendations to enhance the strategy to continue to reduce impacts on land management and/or production processes are made.

Required skills

estimate costs and advantages

collate available data

assess data against objectives and performance criteria

recommend modifications to the pest management strategy

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

land management process

production process

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

environmental protection legislation

pest control methods and techniques

social and environmental issues

statutory requirements for pest control

legislative requirements and enterprise procedures for pesticide risk management

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental protection 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:

collate data on pest abundance, economic and environmental impacts of pests, and control costs

assess data against objectives and performance criteria

determine the costs and benefits of the management strategy

identify indicators of successful and unsuccessful impacts on pest abundance and damage

recommend modifications to the pest management strategy.

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.

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 and 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.

Pests to be targeted may include:

insects

weeds

pathogens

vertebrates

nematodes

molluscs.

Unit sector

Pest management

This unit contains employability skills.