Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the processes involved with defining the pest problem in a regional or broader context and defines the standard required to: define the land management and/or production process for the area affected by the target pest problem; analyse the pest problem; determine critical control points in the life cycle for management of the pest problem; assess the economic and environmental impacts of the pest.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies pest control officers and managers for work carried out independently within organisational guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Define the land management and/or production process for the area affected by the target pest problem

1.1. Consultation with other land users, regional land management bodies and other relevant stakeholders in the affected area is documented.

1.2. Desired land management and/or production outcomes are identified.

1.3. Performance criteria for measuring land management and/or production outcomes are determined.

1.4. Critical activities required to achieve the desired outcomes are identified.

1.5. Land management and/or production process is mapped against the annual planning cycle.

1.6. Land management and/or production process budget is determined.

2. Analyse the pest problem

2.1. Target pest(s) distribution within the affected area is determined in consultation with other stakeholders.

2.2. Target pest distribution data supplied by stakeholders is validated.

2.3. Factors that influence the target pest(s) population and distribution within the affected area are described.

2.4. Pest life cycle is mapped.

3. Determine critical control points for management of the pest problem

3.1. Periods of greatest risk in the land management and/or production process are identified in consultation with other stakeholders.

3.2. Periods of target pest vulnerability within its life cycle are identified.

3.3. Land management and/or production process map and target pest life cycle map are consolidated.

3.4. Critical points for controlling pest populations and/or changing land management or production practices within the annual planning cycle are determined in consultation with other stakeholders.

4. Analyse the impacts of the pest

4.1. Economic losses resulting from the pest presence are measured or estimated in consultation with other stakeholders.

4.2. Environmental impacts from the pest presence are measured or estimated in consultation with other stakeholders.

4.3. Potential risks relating to disease or toxicity are defined.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• analyse problems
• plan strategically
• define the land management and/or production process for the area affected by the target pest problem
• analyse the pest problem
• determine critical control points for management of the pest problem
• analyse the impacts of the pest
• 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 

• land use processes, ecological systems and production systems
• relevant legislative and regulatory requirements
• environmental protection legislation
• plant and animal identification
• ecological systems and production systems
• pest biology
• survey techniques
• target pest distribution and characteristics
• statutory requirements for pest control
• environmental and OHS legislation, codes of practice and enterprise 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:

• define the land management and/or production process for the area affected by the target pest problem
• analyse the pest problem
• determine critical control points in the life cycle for management of the pest problem
• assess the economic and environmental impacts of the pest.

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.

Pests to be targeted may include:

• insects
• weeds
• pathogens
• vertebrates
• nematodes
• molluscs.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field