Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this unit may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What is a husbandry manual?
A husbandry manual includes any information necessary to maintain, display and breed a species in captivity. It should encourage readers to access additional information by referencing published data.

What information may be researched?
Information researched may include taxonomy, natural history, housing requirements, handling and transport, general husbandry, health requirements, behaviour, feeding requirements, breeding, artificial incubation and / or the rearing of the animal group, equipment and suppliers' lists and relevant references.

What type of OHS issues would be relevant in this context?
Animal care for captive animals has a range of associated risks from bites, envenomation, kicks or scratches. All duties should reflect an awareness of and a respect for these risks.
Keyboard work can cause injury unless the operator is aware of ergonomic issues and the importance of adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Regular breaks from the keyboard should be taken to avoid injury.
Some captive animal facilities may expose personnel to risks such as zoonoses, release of infective agents (both animal and human) and chemical spillage. Procedures to reduce the spread of disease may include incident reporting, cleaning, the removal of waste and spillage, the containment or elimination of risk, the use of personal protective equipment and clothing and seeking advice from supervisors.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

research, collate and analyse information relating to a particular species
discuss and collaborate with team members on the development and maintenance of the manual.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit of competency are listed below and include:

institutional policies and procedures, including OHS
relevant federal and state or territory legislation
regional and institutional collection plans and policies
genetic principles for the management of captive animal populations
species stocking policy
database programs for record keeping
report formats for husbandry manuals
research methods and facilities.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include:

ability to follow institutional policies and procedures
ability to operate appropriate species-management databases
ability to use word processing programs
research and analysis skills
ability to write a husbandry manual following standard format and citation procedures
literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS and waste management; interpret data; record accurately and legibly information collected; and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks
oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the institution, including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification from supervisors and consulting with supervisors
numeracy skills to complete arithmetic calculations
interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate captive animal workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
institutional policies and procedures
relevant federal and state or territory legislation
research facilities
regional and institutional collection policies and plans
database programs
report formats for husbandry manuals.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace or a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in this situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency

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 unit of competency. 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
By writing a husbandry manual. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By researching, analysing data and presenting a coherent and easy to read husbandry manual. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By collecting, collating and interpreting data. (2)

Working with others and in teams
By working with others on agreed tasks. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By presenting data using a variety of graphs and tables. (2)

Solving problems
By identifying best husbandry practices within the manual. (2)

Using technology
By using electronic databases and the Internet to access information. (2)