Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers developing a strategy for the management of target pests and defines the standard required to: determine land management/production objectives; estimate costs and advantages for the management units most affected by the target pests; define and prioritise the management units most affected, both actually and potentially, by the target pests are; define the performance criteria for each land management/production objective; select management options for the target pests; negotiate strategies with relevant stakeholders in the affected area.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies pest control officers and managers for work carried out independently within organisational guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Determine land management/production objectives

1.1. Other land users, regional land management bodies, landcare committees and relevant stakeholders are consulted regarding regional and local objectives.

1.2. Outcomes of consultation incorporating regional and local objectives are recorded according to enterprise guidelines.

1.3. Objectives address major land uses and production activities affected by the impacts of the target pests.

1.4. Objectives relate to the problem definition and the reduction in the pest impacts and associated losses.

1.5. Objectives comply with national, State and regional strategies for land and pest management.

2. Estimate costs and advantages for the management units most affected by the target pests

2.1. The diversity of land management and production values that the target pests affect within the affected region or area is defined.

2.2. The likely costs of preferred options for control of pest populations and/or changes to land management or production activities associated with each value are documented.

2.3. The likely costs of control are compared with the impacts and losses caused by the target pests.

2.4. The management units most affected, both actually and potentially, by the target pests are defined and prioritised.

3. Define the performance criteria for each land management/production objective

3.1. Performance criteria are defined in accordance with sustainable land use principles to address target pests population levels, economic impacts and environmental impacts.

3.2. Performance criteria are realistic and measurable.

4. Select management options for the target pests

4.1. Options for controlling pest populations and/or changing land management or production practices are assessed and documented in terms of economic factors, technical difficulty, practical feasibility, social and/or environmental acceptability.

4.2. A range of management options are assessed in terms of current and future financial support, when control activities are to be implemented, level of target pests population reduction required, and the most suitable control methods and techniques.

4.3. A management option is selected in accordance with sustainable land use principles, economic feasibility, integrated pest management principles, environmental acceptability, and statutory requirements for pest control.

5. Negotiate strategies with relevant stakeholders in the affected area

5.1. The strategy is based on the definition of the problem using data from measurement of abundance and impacts.

5.2. The strategy clearly documents the pest problem, the objectives, the prioritised management units, the performance criteria, and the most suitable management options.

5.3. Strategies are agreed and confirmed through relevant stakeholder consultation and negotiation.

5.4. Strategies are published and distributed to relevant stakeholders, organisations and interest groups.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• estimate costs and advantages
• plan
• report and document strategies
• use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• relevant legislative and regulatory requirements
• environmental protection legislation
• pest control methods and techniques
• social and environmental issues
• statutory requirements for pest control
• land use processes, ecological systems and production systems
• pest management options and strategies
• plant and animal identification
• pest biology
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures.

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 competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• determine land management/production objectives
• estimate costs and advantages for the management units most affected by the target pests
• define and prioritise the management units most affected, both actually and potentially, by the target pests are
• define the performance criteria for each land management/production objective
• select management options for the target pests
• negotiate strategies with relevant stakeholders in the affected area.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Pests to be targeted may include:

• insects
• weeds
• pathogens
• vertebrates
• nematodes
• molluscs.

Pest management strategies may include:

• changing land management or production processes and practices e.g.,:

• changing lambing times
• changing sowing times
• changing crops

• modifying habitat
• pasture management
• pest population control, e.g.:

• shooting
• poisoning
• trapping
• mustering
• relocation
• fumigation
• sedation
• exclusion fencing
• biological controls
• harvesting
• tagging

• weed control including:

• chemical
• biological control
• mechanical removal.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field