Assessor Resource

AHCPMG509
Investigate a pest control failure

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to investigate causes of pest control failure after the implementation of a pest management plan.

Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of these.

Treatment may be any measure used to decrease the pest population and the damage caused by it.

This unit applies to regional pest control officers and managers who take personal responsibility for their own work and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They analyse and synthesise information and analyse, design and communicate solutions to sometimes complex problems.

Individuals operating in this field are required to hold current chemical handling certification and a first aid certificate. Other licensing conditions may also apply to this unit. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess planning techniques used

1.1 Determine and assess management techniques used in the pest management plan

1.2 Assess the level of community and stakeholder consultation carried out

1.3 Evaluate the level of commitment gained from the community and stakeholders

1.4 Assess whether the definition of the pest problem is correct

1.5 Assess staff understanding of the pest and the damage caused

1.6 Determine monitoring techniques used and assess suitability

2. Assess treatment failure

2.1 Assess whether damage caused by the pest after treatment is within expectations

2.2 Determine pre-treatment and post-treatment pest infestation levels by monitoring pest management plan records and inspection

2.3 Determine expected pest population after treatment using available information

2.4 Assess the difference between expected and monitored population

2.5 Assess treatments and application techniques used

2.6 Determine whether failure is due to product failure or pesticide resistance if pesticides are involved

2.7 Determine operator’s qualifications and experience in applying a particular pest treatment where appropriate

3. Evaluate solutions to the failure

3.1 Assess possible solutions to the failure

3.2 Determine best option for solution based on cost, appropriateness to the problem and timing

3.3 Review pest management plans and implementation plans as required and advise stakeholders, personnel and contractors of the changes

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

investigate and assess a pest treatment failure

find solutions to the failure

analyse pre-treatment and post-treatment pest infestation levels

assess planning techniques used

evaluate solutions to the failure

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

how to survey pest populations to determine infestation levels

monitoring techniques

how to assess whether the definition of the pest problem is correct

range of pest treatments appropriate to context

a deep understanding of a variety of pest control measures

the principles that underpin the strategic approach to managing pests

Federal, State or Territory legislation and regulations relating to pest management activities

chemical, biological, physical and habitat techniques for pest management

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess planning techniques used

1.1 Determine and assess management techniques used in the pest management plan

1.2 Assess the level of community and stakeholder consultation carried out

1.3 Evaluate the level of commitment gained from the community and stakeholders

1.4 Assess whether the definition of the pest problem is correct

1.5 Assess staff understanding of the pest and the damage caused

1.6 Determine monitoring techniques used and assess suitability

2. Assess treatment failure

2.1 Assess whether damage caused by the pest after treatment is within expectations

2.2 Determine pre-treatment and post-treatment pest infestation levels by monitoring pest management plan records and inspection

2.3 Determine expected pest population after treatment using available information

2.4 Assess the difference between expected and monitored population

2.5 Assess treatments and application techniques used

2.6 Determine whether failure is due to product failure or pesticide resistance if pesticides are involved

2.7 Determine operator’s qualifications and experience in applying a particular pest treatment where appropriate

3. Evaluate solutions to the failure

3.1 Assess possible solutions to the failure

3.2 Determine best option for solution based on cost, appropriateness to the problem and timing

3.3 Review pest management plans and implementation plans as required and advise stakeholders, personnel and contractors of the changes

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

investigate and assess a pest treatment failure

find solutions to the failure

analyse pre-treatment and post-treatment pest infestation levels

assess planning techniques used

evaluate solutions to the failure

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

how to survey pest populations to determine infestation levels

monitoring techniques

how to assess whether the definition of the pest problem is correct

range of pest treatments appropriate to context

a deep understanding of a variety of pest control measures

the principles that underpin the strategic approach to managing pests

Federal, State or Territory legislation and regulations relating to pest management activities

chemical, biological, physical and habitat techniques for pest management

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine and assess management techniques used in the pest management plan 
Assess the level of community and stakeholder consultation carried out 
Evaluate the level of commitment gained from the community and stakeholders 
Assess whether the definition of the pest problem is correct 
Assess staff understanding of the pest and the damage caused 
Determine monitoring techniques used and assess suitability 
Assess whether damage caused by the pest after treatment is within expectations 
Determine pre-treatment and post-treatment pest infestation levels by monitoring pest management plan records and inspection 
Determine expected pest population after treatment using available information 
Assess the difference between expected and monitored population 
Assess treatments and application techniques used 
Determine whether failure is due to product failure or pesticide resistance if pesticides are involved 
Determine operator’s qualifications and experience in applying a particular pest treatment where appropriate 
Assess possible solutions to the failure 
Determine best option for solution based on cost, appropriateness to the problem and timing 
Review pest management plans and implementation plans as required and advise stakeholders, personnel and contractors of the changes 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG509 - Investigate a pest control failure
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPMG509 - Investigate a pest control failure

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: