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.

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

Which pests may be relevant to this competency standard?
Weeds and vertebrate pests of crops, pastures, rangelands, native vegetation and waterways.

Which relevant Federal or State legislation and local regulations may be included?
Environmental protection, noxious weeds, farm chemicals, 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.

What forms of land value may be relevant?
Economic and environmental value.

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 included in the management units?
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 (e.g., chemical, cultural).

Which factors may affect pest population?
Food supply, water supply, habitat conditions, natural predators, existing control, hunting and harvesting activities, disease and parasites, climate and weather, and land topography.

How might support and validating data be obtained?
By direct observation, GIS, satellite information and air-flown MSS.

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 caused by vertebrate pests?
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, loss of crops, damage to fences, loss of native flora, soil disturbance and erosion, reduction in water quality and pollution.

What comparative data may be included?
Reduction in damage and loss observed and regeneration observed.

What forms of documentation may be relevant?
Poisons register, MSDS and other relevant documentation.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in coordinating the pest management strategy in a regional or broader context requires evidence that there is documentary verification of the effective and efficient coordination of human and physical resources in order to achieve objectives of the pest management strategy. The skills and knowledge required to coordinate the pest management strategy in a regional or broader context 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 and production processes.
Relevant legislative and regulatory requirements.
Pest control methods and techniques.
Social and environmental issues.
Exotic diseases.
Human resource management principles.
Budgetary management.
Pest biology.
Project planning and management processes.
Development of objectives and timelines.

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:

Communicate, negotiate and liaise with other statutory authorities, agencies and stakeholders.
Determine the time period and milestones for the implementation of the pest management strategy.
Determine specific objectives for the pest management strategy.
Identify activities required to achieve specific objectives.
Estimate resources required to complete the required activities.
Develop an action plan to guide implementation of the strategic plan.
Development documents and reports.

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
Consulting and liaising with stakeholders, and facilitating stakeholder meetings and discussions. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Analysing the local pest management strategy. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Organising stakeholder participation in action plan development. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Working with local pest management team and stakeholders. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimating resource needs and developing timelines. (2)

Solving problems
Analysing pest management strategy and developing relevant actions. (2)

Using technology
Documenting action plans. (2)