This unit applies to personnel who have been appointed or engaged to undertake a role within a plant pest incursion. This unit may also apply to personnel involved with planning responses to emergency animal diseases and aquatic animal diseases.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Obtain and analyse biological information for survey design

1.1. Biological and dispersal characteristics of pest are identified.

1.2. Impact of climate on reproduction rate and predicted distribution of pest are determined.

1.3. Geographical distribution of the host(s) is identified.

1.4. Information is analysed to determine priority areas to be surveyed.

2. Develop survey methodology

2.1. Particular type of survey to be designed is determined according to phase of incursion.

2.2. Appropriate biometric design that will satisfy confidence limits is selected in consultation with technical experts and according to relevant standards and protocols.

2.3. Field data collection methodology is determined.

2.4. Quality assurance standards that will apply to survey are identified and incorporated in survey methodology and documentation.

2.5. Appropriate diagnostic tests are selected for use in confirming pest presence in samples to be collected.

2.6. Instructions for survey teams are developed.

3. Determine the resources required

3.1. Resources required for survey activities are determined in conjunction with technical experts and are documented.

4. Obtain approval for the survey design

4.1. Survey design is documented according to protocols and standards.

4.2. Survey design is submitted to appropriate authorities for approval.

5. Determine post-survey review processes

5.1. Review processes are determined to evaluate conduct and effectiveness of survey program.

Required skills

high level interpretation of information to determine distribution of pests in relation to biology, climate and vegetation

working with other technical experts

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

detailed knowledge of a range of biological survey methods

detailed knowledge of application of biometric principles to biological survey design

detailed knowledge of biology of groups of pests and pathogens relevant to survey

detailed knowledge of types and distribution of hosts relevant to survey

knowledge of plant and animal industries and potential impact of incursions

legislation and regulations defining and affecting management of incursions

Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan (PLANTPLAN).

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 critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below:

assessment must confirm one's ability to develop and document a plant pest survey strategy according to prevailing standards and protocols.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop a plant pest survey strategy.

The candidate must also have access to a functioning control centre, or a control centre established for a plant pest response simulation exercise.

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation exercise or in responses to an emergency disease or plant pest incursion.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The skills and knowledge required to plan and oversee an emergency disease or plant pest control program must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within control centres established for other emergency diseases or plant pest incursions.

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

Biological and dispersal characteristics may include:

intrinsic characteristics of pest

active flight

soil borne

water borne

wind borne

biological (mechanical) vectors that carry the pest such as:

fruit, seed and plant material

insects, invertebrates and vertebrates

non-biological means such as equipment, machinery, vehicles and clothing.

Types of survey required may include:

area free

delimiting

distribution

prevalence.

Standards and protocols that may apply include:

PLANTPLAN

Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN)

commonwealth, state and territory legislation defining legal powers in a disease emergency

damage minimisation policies

environmental policies

occupational health and safety requirements and policies

pest free area guidelines

standard operating procedures.

Diagnostic tests selected may include:

biochemical tests

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

microscopy

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Instructions for survey teams may cover:

actions to take when suspect material is found

biosecurity measures for team and property owners

communication protocols for teams when briefing property owners, including confidentiality requirements

farm, district and regional requirements

sampling intensity

sampling protocols

specifying survey sites.

Resources required may include:

equipment

illustrated guides

information technology and communications equipment

maps - topographical and aerial

personnel and their needs, including physical needs such as transport, accommodation and other requirements such as supervision and training

vehicles appropriate to area, site and terrain, including:

four-wheel drive

all terrain vehicle (ATV)

forklift

helicopter.

Technical experts to consult may include:

those with appropriate diagnostic and biometric expertise.

Appropriate authorities may include:

chief plant health manager

consultative committee on emergency plant pests

planning manager

survey manager.

Unit sector

Pest management

This unit contains employability skills.