Elements and Performance Criteria

Range of Variables
The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this unit of competency. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts
What pests may be relevant to this competency standard?
Weeds and vertebrate pests.
Which relevant Federal or State legislation and local regulations may be included?
Environmental protection, noxious weeds, vertebrate pests, use of firearms (including licensing requirements and exemptions), humane treatment of animals, activities in nature reserves and heritage areas, poisons and veterinary substances, identification and reporting of suspected outbreaks of exotic disease, OHS regulations and common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence.
Which types of land uses may be included?
Agricultural production, forestry, nature and wildlife reserves, heritage areas and recreation.
What forms of land value may be relevant?
Economic and environmental value.
Who might the otherstakeholders referred to in this standard be?
Land managers in the region, recreational land users, regional land management bodies, local regulatory authorities and landcare committees.
Which measures of potential or actual impact may be included in the management units?
Biological values, agricultural values, environmental values, recreational and social values and public health values.
Which methods for determining vertebratepest population distribution may be used?
Animal counts (including spotlight and aerial counts, faecal counts, warren, burrow, den and nest counts), and tracking pads and feeding stations.
How may supporting and validating data be obtained?
From direct observation, satellite information, GIS and air-flown MSS.
What other relevant data on target vertebrate pest population may be covered?
Diseases, dietary habits, antibodies, viruses and ageing.
Which vertebrate pests may be relevant to this standard?
Kangaroo, wallaby, emu, wombat, possum, fruit bat, cockatoo/parrot, waterfowl, seagull, starlings, pigeon and other birds, goat, horse, deer, pig, camel, cat, cattle, dog, water buffalo, donkey, rabbit, red fox, brown hare, cane toads, European carp, house mouse, black rat and brown rat.
What other relevant data on target weed populations may be covered?
Disease and vectors.
What might weeds include?
Economic weeds, aquatic weeds and environmental weeds.
What sorts of damage and loss caused by pests may be relevant to this standard?
Loss of pasture, loss of crops, loss of livestock, loss of native fauna, loss of native flora, soil erosion, loss of recreational and social amenity, reduction in water quality, increased incidence of disease vectors and reduced tourism.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment refer to the Sector Booklet.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in defining the pest problem in a local area requires evidence that an analysis of pest problem has been completed and documented according to industry and enterprise standards and expectations. The skills and knowledge required to define the pest problem in a local area must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different pests and local areas.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:
Pest biology.
Land management processes.
Production processes.
Relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Environmental protection legislation.


What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:
Define the land use process for the local area affected by the target pest problem.
Analyse the pest problem in the local area.
Determine critical control points for management of the pest problem.
Document and collate the impacts of the pest.
Analyse local problems.
Plan strategically for local context.
Communicate with local land users.




What processes should be applied to this competency standard?
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
1. How can communication of ideas and information (2) be applied?
Establishing and maintaining consultation and liaison processes with land users and stakeholders.
2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (3)?
Collecting and analysing local data relating to pest activities.
3. How are activities planned and organised (2)?
Organising survey and pest management activities.
4. How can team work (1) be applied?
Working with local landholders.
5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (2) be applied?
Collating and determining significance of data.
6. How can problem-solving skills (3) be applied?
Analysing pest data and defining the scope of the problem.
7. How can the use of technology (1) be applied?
Collating data, documenting findings and developing the report.




Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

For information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.