This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements | Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian and international standards, guidelines and codes covering safety in laboratories; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; environmental management; biological safety cabinets, and physical containment levels and facility types national work health and safety (WHS) standards, animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, and permits for wildlife capture and handling specific codes, regulations, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as gene technology regulations, Australian Dangerous Goods Code, animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Import Guidelines, and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) |
Staff | Staff include, but are not limited to, one or more of: curator conservator design exhibition project officer project manager |
Requirements of a display plan | Requirements of a display plan include, but are not limited to, one or more of: purpose (public display or part of a collection for research purposes) length of time (permanent or temporary) accessibility (static or interactive) type (diorama, live or preserved specimens and additions to existing showcase) two- or three-dimensional exclusion of pests specific features of the specimen to be demonstrated lighting that is sympathetic to the conservation of the specimen security (particularly for valuable, vulnerable or irreplaceable specimens) user-friendliness for both visitors and maintenance staff |
Collection | Collection includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: collecting live specimens from the wild accessing specimens from existing collections in the base or other institutions netting, trapping and light traps use of euthanasia techniques, such as shooting, stunning, anaesthetics, gases and chemicals |
Identification | Identification includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: collection access number tags and labels on existing specimens use of field guides, keys and taxonomic charts collaboration with experts |
Suitability of specimen | Suitability of specimen includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: whole or part sex, age and breeding condition type and characteristics level of preservation whether dead or alive inclusion of features for identification, such as flowers, fruit, roots and leaves |
Data to be recorded | Data to be recorded includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: collection information such as location, time, date, collector, behaviour, environment, depth, altitude, weather and habitat reference photographs of the environment in the field reference drawings to characterise colour and shape identification number, collection access number, collection database and catalogue details characteristics of the specimen, such as: standard measurements (mass, length and size) plumage characteristics (age, pattern and colour) flesh characteristics (skin tone, naked flesh texture and internal organs) sex X-rays and scans manual or electronic data |
Samples | Samples include, but are not limited to, one or more of: DNA tissue bone fragments stomach contents |
Preparation for preservation | Preparation for preservation includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: treatment of the specimen (dissection, mounting, pinning, use of backing boards, fixing, staining, colour retention, latex injection and vascular preservation) preparation of the display (painting, making of wet boxes, choice of vessel and storage fluid, planning of mould sections and lay up) maceration of tissue from skeletons by sand, invertebrates, cold or warm water, enzymes, physical removal or chemical treatment |
Preservation | Preservation includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: temporary (freezing) wet (whole mounts in formalin and tissue staining) dry (freeze and air drying), pressing, taxidermy, including exhibition quality mounts, study skins, tanning and plastination techniques, such as dry mounting of seeds, bird skins, pin mounted invertebrates and pressing of plants skeletal involving maceration, degreasing, bleaching, articulation and mounting or sectioning (e.g. whale skeletons) mould and cast (alignate, plaster, stone plaster, polyester, latex, silicone, Vinamould, gelatine, urethane elastomers, glass and carbon fibre), such as for fish, amphibians and reptiles embedding by encapsulation in clear plastic or resin using wet or dry techniques |
Detailing of specimens | Detailing of specimens includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: cleaning touch up addition of false eyes |
Conservation | Conservation involves: minimisation of deterioration which can be caused by pests, light and/or humidity |
Workplace safety procedures | Workplace safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs using material safety data sheets (MSDS) labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures using PPE, such as hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, face guards, coveralls, gowns and safety boots reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel following established procedures for handling animals |
WHS and environmental management requirements | WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant |