Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers investigating a reported pest treatment failure and defines the standard required to: compare the results of pest treatment with the predicted response in published work; ensure the control product has been used in accordance with manufacturer's directions, and is either registered for the purpose or used under permit; check conditions at application against records and manufacturers directions; refer pest failure to manufacturer.

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. Assess treatment failure

1.1. Pre treatment pest infestation levels are ascertained from monitoring program records where available.

1.2. Post treatment population is ascertained from monitoring records and/or inspection.

1.3. Expected pest population after treatment is determined from available information.

1.4. Significance of difference between expected and monitored population analysed consistent with enterprise guidelines where appropriate.

1.5. Treatment used and application technique ascertained from records and assessed against manufacturer's instructions.

2. Investigate and report on causes of failure

2.1. Conditions impacting on effectiveness of treatment prevailing at time of treatment are ascertained from enterprise records where available.

2.2. Known conditions at application are analysed against manufacturers' recommendations.

2.3. Level of control required by project specifications or permit is compared against results.

2.4. Report containing all relevant information known on application of treatment, operators' qualifications and results is produced following enterprise procedure.

2.5. Remaining product and report are returned to supplier or manufacturers agent for investigation if treatment appears to have been within guidelines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• analyse statistics on pest populations
• assess treatment failure
• investigate and report on causes of failure
• 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 treatment techniques
• surveying population of pests
• treatment characteristics and modes of action
• basic statistical analysis
• report preparation.

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:

• compare the results of pest treatment with the predicted response in published work
• ensure the control product has been used in accordance with manufacturers directions, and is either registered for the purpose or used under permit
• check conditions at application against records and manufacturers directions
• refer pest failure to manufacturer.

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.

Investigation may include:

• pest treatment failures in a range of weeds and vertebrate pests.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field