Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to survey pest abundance by conducting ground counts, aerial counts or both.
Pests may be weeds, vertebrate or invertebrate pests or a combination of these.
Work may be conducted as part of an emergency response to an incursion or as part of routine surveillance. It must be conducted to comply with the organisation’s pest management plan, survey strategy and monitoring program and in accordance with established standards and protocols.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication. However all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to conduct survey | 1.1 Access the organisation's pest management plan, survey strategy and monitoring program documents 1.2 Map location and boundaries for the count and obtain required permits 1.3 Work with key stakeholders to develop trust and effective working relationships 1.4 Identify natural areas and features 1.5 Confirm location of habitats and the range of movement of the target pest 1.6 Determine items of direct evidence of the pest to be counted and survey method 1.7 Determine time and duration of the count and notify relevant personnel 1.8 Identify safety hazards and take precautions to minimise risks associated with the selected survey method 1.9 Identify environmental risks and take precautions to minimise risks associated with the count 1.10 Check serviceability of resources required to complete the count |
2. Conduct survey and record observations | 2.1 Operate equipment appropriately 2.2 Conduct count within boundaries of specified location 2.3 Record observations of direct evidence of the target pest and report to supervisor 2.4 Clean and store equipment and materials 2.5 Apply animal welfare policies and procedures when conducting survey |
Evidence of Performance
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:
organise and complete a pest survey according to the organisation’s pest management plan and survey strategy
recognise signs or evidence of common pest
count, add and record observations
operate equipment safely and in accordance with organisation workplace procedures
clean and store the equipment at the conclusion of the job
take appropriate safety precautions for all pest survey activities
apply appropriate animal welfare practices in the context of own work
use appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
survey techniques appropriate to the geography and type of pest being surveyed
precautions to be taken when aerial observation is employed as a survey method
the basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice
relevant parts of the organisation's pest management plan and survey strategy
survey techniques that may be used
the types of permits that may be required
range of pest species in pest survey plan
pest behaviour and habitats including areas that have a high probability of infestation
direct evidence of range of pests included in pest management plan
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Pest Management (PMG)