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 are the reasons for conducting community consultations?
To raise community awareness of a particular issue (e.g. new legislation or new organisation priorities, etc); to determine what the community expects of pet owners, what pet owners expect of the community and what both expect from the organisation or council; and to involve the community in the development or redevelopment of programs.

What are examples of community awareness programs?
Community awareness programs in animal control and regulation are intended to improve communication between council and the community and involve three key issues: responsible pet ownership, community pet owner facilities, and council enforcement and regulation services.
Responsible pet ownership may include sensible pet preselection, puppy socialization, adequate dog training, environmental enrichment, remedial measures for routine animal behaviour problems, self-help groups, concepts of owners' obligations and responsibilities and the council's overall strategy for community pet management.
Community pet owner facilities may include dog training facilities; off-leash areas; faecal litter waste management; agility and tracking parks; public communication conduits including web sites, newspapers and electronic media; and waterway and beach access provisions.
Council enforcement and regulation services may include local laws in general; the council's position on compliance expectation and schedules of infringement penalties; direct and simple explanations of fence laws, leash laws, excessive bark prevention and dangerous dog controls.
Other community awareness programs may include information on pet owner obligations and community expectations, promotion of the benefits of providing appropriate environmental enrichment for pets, conveying key messages about animal welfare and competent pet ownership, providing structured classes for dog obedience instruction, and recommending remedial measures to counter nuisance behaviour in pet animals.

What possible target audience in the community could there be?
The target audience groups may include conferences, schools (pre, primary and high) and community forums. They may also include groups such as police, Australia Pos and emergency services (e.g. fire and ambulance).
Persons included in these groups may be adults, including senior citizens; children, including preschool children; community groups; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and people with disabilities.

What are examples of equipment, aids and materials?
Equipment may include video and audio-recordings, overhead projector, data projector and whiteboard.
Aids and materials may include models, diagrams, charts and posters, overhead transparencies, data projector slides / shows, handouts, show bags, pamphlets, CD-ROMs, newsletters, media articles, videos, information kits and web site material.

What are some examples of public speaking techniques?
Pace of speech, tone of voice, inflection, accent, eye contact, body language and audience interaction.

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:

conduct community consultations to determine needs and expectations
contribute to the development / improvement of community awareness programs and associated materials
conduct research and gather materials to develop programs for presentation
use relevant presentation equipment, materials and aids
present programs to the community using effective public speaking and communication techniques
gather community feedback and evaluate the delivery of programs.

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:

legislation relevant to the subject matter of the presentation
relevant and current community awareness programs
organisational policies and procedures relating to presenting information to the public
range of presentation aids and materials available to support the presentation
data collection methods to support the development of materials
range of communication strategies
technical information relevant to the presentation or subject matter
principles of learning for children and adults.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

literacy and information technology skills to prepare presentation information and materials
communications skills to present the information to the target audience including questioning, clarifying and rephrasing
public speaking skills
presentation skills and techniques
interpersonal skills to communicate with and relate to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
literacy skills to read, interpret and apply relevant legislation and regulations
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 workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace
presentation equipment, materials and aids
community awareness programs
community and / or target audience when delivering presentation.

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 an animal control and regulation workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either 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 collecting and preparing information to be presented to the target audience. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By using presentation aids and materials to support the key points to be addressed. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By planning the presentation and ensuring all materials and equipment are available. (3)

Working with others and in teams
By seeking assistance from others in the preparation of materials. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By reading and preparing tables, graphs, etc for use in program research or presentation. (2)

Solving problems
By adjusting the presentation during delivery to meet the needs of the target audience. (2)

Using technology
By preparing materials for the presentation and using technology such as an overhead projector during the presentation. (2)