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.

Which hazards may be relevant in this context?
Hazards may include landscaping issues and damaged enclosure furniture, trees, locks and other equipment.

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.
The use of power tools and equipment, including their use in difficult areas and above ground, requires extra care to ensure safe work practices are maintained.
Safe work practices are used in packaging and handling loads, including animals. Appropriate safe handling techniques are used to reduce muscle load on exertion.
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 is a concept brief?
A concept brief may include evaluation of exhibit performance, research, basic technical drawings and detailed work plans and costings for the new or renovated enclosures or exhibits.

What is meant by aesthetic qualities of enclosures and exhibits?
Aesthetic qualities may include maintaining the overall appearance of the exhibit and its features, keeping viewing areas clean and removing litter.

What are examples of exhibit furniture?
Exhibit furniture may include logs, rails, perches, rocks or mock rocks, shelves, branches and trees.

Which pests may be relevant in this context?
Pests may include rodents, wild birds, free ranging animals, possums, cats, dogs, foxes and invertebrates.

Which control procedures may be used?
Control procedures may include environment modification and mechanical and chemical control.

Which pest control methods may be applied?
Methods may include trapping, using one-way exit traps, restricting conditions that favour pests, dusting for external parasites, using baits, removing substances from food and water, monitoring activity of pests and introducing another animal to trap vermin.

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:

initiate and follow up on the development of new enclosures and exhibits or the renovation of existing ones
work with others on concept proposals for the design or renovation of enclosures and exhibits
maintain enclosures and exhibits on a daily basis.

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 legislation and standards
protocols for hazard identification and risk minimisation
principles of naturalistic landscaping for enclosures and exhibits
environmental enrichment
the institution's mission statement
exhibit maintenance requirements
pest identification and associated risks and controls
animal biology and husbandry requirements relevant to enclosures and exhibits.

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 implement institutional policies and procedures
ability to maintain enclosures and exhibits
ability to implement pest control strategies
ability to assist in the preparation of concept briefs
ability to read, interpret and prepare basic technical drawings
literacy skills to read and implement institutional policies and procedures, including OHS; follow sequenced written instructions; 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, training others and consulting with supervisors
numeracy skills to complete mathematical calculations relating to designing new enclosures and exhibits
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 schedule maintenance activities.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate captive animal workplace
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
a range of exhibits and enclosures
concept briefs for new or renovated enclosures and exhibits
institutional policies and procedures
equipment, tools and materials for maintaining exhibits
pest control procedures and methods.

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.
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
RUV3406A Prepare and maintain animal housing

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
Through discussion with supervisors and team members about maintaining enclosures and exhibits on a daily basis. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting and analysing information and incorporating it into a proposal. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By organising information into work schedules and daily reports. (3)

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

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By creating technical drawings of new enclosures and exhibits. (2)

Solving problems
By providing enclosures that meet the behavioural and physical requirements of animals. (2)

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