Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Captive animal facilities may include:
aquaria
fauna parks
mobile zoos
theme parks
wildlife care and rehabilitation facilities
wildlife parks
zoological parks.
Function and structure of the facility may include:
function:
conservation
education
recreation
research
function should be seen in the context of:
the World Zoo Conservation Strategy
the role of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
the Captive Breeding Specialist Group
the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks
structures:
facility status:
corporate
family-owned
government
not for profit
internal structure:
organisational sections
roles and responsibilities
lines of reporting.
Legislative requirements may include:
relevant state or territory and local government legislation and regulations in respect to captive animals and OHS.
International agreements may include:
the Agreement between Australia and Japan for the protection of Migratory Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment
the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals
the Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species for Flora and Fauna
the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
Other bodies and agencies may include:
animal welfare and rescue groups
government departments and statutory bodies
industry associations
other captive animal institutions/facilities
research organisations
volunteer groups.
Daily routines may include:
answering enquiries from the public
capturing animals
cleaning
completing records
ensuring the security of animals
feeding and watering
general animal husbandry tasks
maintaining equipment and completing minor repairs.
OHS risks when working in a captive animal facility may include:
animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Environmentally sensitive work practices may include:
implementing strategies and resources to:
minimise disturbance to animals and their living environment
practise environmentally friendly waste management
reduce noise and odour.
Animal interaction policies and procedures will include:
in-house standard operating procedures for interaction with animals (staff and/or public):
handling
transportation
Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) Accreditation Program - General Standards and Guidelines May 2005 updated September 2007.
Distinguishing characteristics that may be used to identify captive animals include:
age, sex and size
coat or skin colours and texture
eye colour
markings, patterns and permanent scars
toe nail colour
microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings and leg bands.
Animal welfare requirements include:
adequate housing and stock levels
enrichment opportunities
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations and international conventions
the compatibility of species and breeds
the absence of pests and vermin.
Identification techniques may include:
tattoos, ear tags, leg bands and passive integrated transponder tags.
Communication may be conducted by:
two-way radio, email, the intranet and the internet
it may include:
answering queries from the public
contributing to daily bulletins or media releases.
Animal keeping information systems and software examples include:
International Species Information System (ISIS)
Regional Animal Species Collection Plan (REGASP) computerised collection planning tool
Animal Record-Keeping System (ARKS)
Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System (SPARKS).

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify the facility's structure and role within the context of legislative requirements and zoological agreements
comply with captive animal interaction policies and procedures
identify and handle animals in accordance with facility and animal welfare requirements.

The skills and knowledge required to work within a captive animal facility must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in a captive animal workplace with access to a range of captive animals and the appropriate equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).