Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of using Judas animals to locate isolated pest animals and defines required to: confirm arrangements for using Judas animals as part of vertebrate pest control program; use appropriate tagging techniques on Judas animals; locate Judas animals and track to mob after tagging; muster, harvest or destroy pest animals according to organisational requirements; report on pest control activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working independently within own area of responsibility.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for 'judas' animal operation

1.1. Target pest animal range and behaviour are confirmed.

1.2. Time required to complete the location of target animals is estimated.

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

1.4. Environmental risks associated with the procedures are identified in accordance with statutory and local authority requirements.

1.5. Resources required to complete the procedures are identified.

1.6. Permission to release pest animal is obtained as necessary.

1.7. Operation of radio-telemetry equipment is checked in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

1.8. Assistance is provided as tranquillising drugs are prepared and administered in accordance with veterinary procedures by authorised person.

1.9. Appropriate animal is selected and tagged with radio transmitting collar in accordance with humane animal handling techniques.

2. Locate isolated herd

2.1. 'Judas' animal is released in targeted location.

2.2. Reasonable time lapse is allowed for 'judas' animal to join mob of same species.

2.3. Radio-telemetry equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

2.4. Herd is located and approached to optimise effectiveness of control method.

3. Control target species

3.1. Isolated mob is mustered, harvested or destroyed in accordance with statutory requirements and industry practice.

3.2. 'Judas' animal is released or allowed to escape to join other mobs as required.

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 recorded or reported according to enterprise procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures
• prepare 'judas' animals
• locate isolated herds
• control target species
• clean and store equipment and materials
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• 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 animal life cycles and behaviours
• OHS legislation and enterprise requirements
• environmental and pest control legislative and enterprise requirements
• animal welfare
• relevant emergency 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:

• confirm arrangements for using Judas animals as part of vertebrate pest control program
• use appropriate tagging techniques on Judas animals
• locate Judas animals and track to mob after tagging
• muster, harvest or destroy pest animals according to organisational requirements
• report on pest control activities.

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.

Judas animals may include:

• goats
• horses
• pigs
• camels
• cattle
• water buffaloes
• donkeys.

Unit sector 

Vertebrate pests

Co-requisite units 

Competency field