Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers developing monitoring procedures for the local pest management strategy and defines the standard required to: determine the lifecycle, distribution and loss of production caused by the pest; document the economic losses and environmental risks and impacts of the pest; develop control measures based on a combination of strategies to control the pest at its most vulnerable stage with minimal environmental impact; establish the costs and benefits of implementing the selected control strategies; select management options to eradicate or manage the pest across a local region; negotiate an action plan to implement the management options across an area or region.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to regional pest management officers and is likely to be undertaken independently, with reference to specialist advice.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Develop data recording documents for monitoring the pest strategy

1.1. Data obtained by local land users is assessed for relevance and usefulness in the monitoring system.

1.2. Data required to monitor economic impacts of pests is determined.

1.3. Data required to monitor environmental impacts of pests is determined.

1.4. Data required to monitor pest abundance is determined.

1.5. Data required to monitor pest strategy operating costs is determined.

1.6. Documents for recording data are developed.

2. Develop monitoring schedule

2.1. Monitoring schedules are developed in accordance with the pest management strategy.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• analyse local problems
• plan strategically for local context
• report on and document analytical and strategic activities
• prepare monitoring schedules
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
• 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 routine and more complex workplace measures and data
• 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 

• pest biology
• land management processes
• production processes
• relevant legislative and regulatory requirements
• environmental protection legislation
• monitoring procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 the lifecycle, distribution and loss of production caused by the pest
• document the economic losses and environmental risks and impacts of the pest
• develop control measures based on a combination of strategies to control the pest at its most vulnerable stage with minimal environmental impact
• establish the costs and benefits of implementing the selected control strategies
• select management options to eradicate or manage the pest across a local region
• negotiate an action plan to implement the management options across an area or region.

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.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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

Relevant legislation and local regulations may include:

• environmental protection
• vertebrate pests
• noxious weeds
• use of firearms (including licensing requirements and exemptions)
• humane treatment of animals
• activities in nature reserves and heritage areas
• poisons and veterinary substances
• farm chemicals
• identification and reporting of suspected outbreaks of exotic disease
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field