Elements and Performance Criteria

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 land uses may be relevant?
Agricultural production, nature and wildlife reserves, recreation, forestry and heritage areas.

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, farm chemicals, 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.

Who might the other stakeholders 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 relevant to this competency standard?
Biological values, agricultural values, environmental values, recreational and social values, and public health values.

What management options may be relevant?
Commercial management, crisis management, no management, local eradication and strategic management (sustained, targeted and one-off).

What methods and techniques for controlling pest problems may be used?
Changing land management or production processes and practices (e.g., changing lambing times, changing sowing times and changing crops), modifying habitat, pasture management and pest population control (e.g., shooting, poisoning, trapping, mustering, relocation, fumigation, sedation, exclusion fencing, biological controls, harvesting and tagging), and weed control including chemical, biological control and mechanical removal.

Which pests may be relevant to this standard?
Weeds and vertebrate pests.

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.

Which methods for determining vertebrate pest 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.

What sorts of damage and costs may be relevant to this competency standard?
Loss of pasture, loss of livestock, loss of crops, loss of native fauna, rootings, loss of recreational and social amenity, increased incidence of disease vectors, reduced tourism, damage to fences, loss of native flora, soil disturbance and erosion, reduction in water quality and pollution.

Pests found in which areas may be included?
Rangelands, conversation areas, crops, pastures and aquatic zones.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in evaluating the pest management strategy requires evidence that recommendations are based on appropriate evaluation of available data and meet industry and enterprise best practice standards in their structure, content and presentation. The skills and knowledge required to evaluate the pest management strategy must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different pests and regional 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:

Land management process.
Production process.
Relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Environmental protection legislation.
Pest control methods and techniques.
Social and environmental issues.
Statutory requirements for pest control.

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:

Estimate costs and advantages.
Communicate, negotiate and liaise with other statutory authorities, agencies and stakeholders.
Collate available data.
Assess data against objectives and performance criteria.
Report and document evaluation activities.
Recommend modifications to the pest management strategy.

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.

Essential Assessment Information
For information about

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.
Communicating ideas and information
Establishing and maintaining consultation and liaison processes with stakeholders, and facilitating stakeholder meetings and discussions. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Establishing, directing and coordinating information collations and analysis. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Organising stakeholder's participation in evaluation activities. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Building and maintaining pest management team and supporting team activities. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Collating and determining significance of data. (3)

Solving problems
Analysing pest problem and exploring alternative strategic solutions. (3)

Using technology
Collating data, documenting planning activities, developing the strategic plan, and documenting project activities. (3)