This unit applies to clearing features that harbour pest animals and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine clearing work required

1.1. Characteristics of the features that harbour the target pest are identified.

1.2. Locations of the habitat of the target pest are identified.

1.3. Approaches to work including estimated time required to clear features and destroy pest habitats are determined.

1.4. Hazards associated with the job are identified in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards.

1.5. Environmental risks associated with the job are identified in accordance with statutory and local authority requirements.

1.6. Vehicles, equipment and materials required to complete the habitat destruction are identified.

2. Prepare for clearing and destruction work

2.1. Location and boundaries for the clearing are mapped in accordance with the pest management strategy and monitoring program.

2.2. Precautions to minimise hazards associated with the clearing are taken in accordance with OHS standards.

2.3. Precautions to minimise environmental risks associated with the clearing are taken in accordance with statutory and local authority requirements.

2.4. Vehicles, equipment and materials are checked for serviceability in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and relevant policies.

2.5. Actions to prevent interference with non-target species are taken as necessary.

2.6. Appropriate licences, permits and clearances are obtained prior to commencement of work.

3. Clear land and destroy pest habitats

3.1. Areas containing pest habitat are dogged prior to commencing destruction procedures if required.

3.2. Features and habitats which harbour target pest are cleared in accordance with industry practice.

3.3. Habitats are destroyed using approved procedures and techniques in accordance with industry practice.

3.4. Destroyed habitats are checked for remaining sites that can be accessed and restored by pest animals.

3.5. Remaining sites that can be accessed and restored by pest animals are made inaccessible.

3.6. Area is monitored over a prescribed period to detect signs of reinfestation.

3.7. Native and other valued flora are protected as required in accordance with environmental statutory requirements.

3.8. Debris is disposed of in accordance with industry practice.

4. Clean and store equipment and material

4.1. Equipment and materials are cleaned and stored in accordance with relevant standards and policies.

4.2. Job completion is reported or recorded in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.

Required skills

communicate with work colleagues

assess risks to environment and take measures to control them

use and maintenance of tools and equipment

record and report task completion and, where necessary, observations of property status

prepare for the clearing job

destroy habitats that harbour pest animals

clean and store equipment and materials

use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

legislation&regulations relating to environmental protection

legislation&regulations relating to pest animals

legislation&regulations relating to activities in nature reserves and heritage areas

OHS legislative and enterprise requirements

common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence

risks to land users' posed by pest animals including exotic diseases and zoonoses

pest life cycles and behaviours

harbours used by pest animals

harbours used by non-target species.

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:

interpret instructions for pest animal destruction

identify the natural areas and features that are part of pest animal habitat

clear areas infested by pests and destroy pest habitat

check for areas that can be reinfested

avoid disturbing protected or endangered plant and animal species

leave cleared areas in required state of repatriation.

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.

Features may include:

food and water sources

physical cover such as warren, surface logs, refuse and vegetation clumps.

Unit sector

Vertebrate pests

This unit contains employability skills.