Pest Management Officer

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Pest Management Officer. A Pest Management Officer inspects a range of work sites; identifies pests present; plans and prepares for the appropriate treatment; implements treatment intervention processes; and implements site clean-up and clearance processes in order to manage pest infestations in domestic, commercial and industrial sites. A qualified learner will be able to: • Inspect premises and identify pests. • Plan pest management interventions. • Implement pest management interventions. • Implement site clean-up and clearance processes.

This qualification falls within the occupational unit group, Government Regulatory Technicians and Associate Professionals. This qualification addresses unique competences of the Pest Management Officer occupation and relates to the management and control of pests in a range of retail, bulk storage, commercial and domestic environments. The management of pests relates to where we live, work and play, in food processing and handling, food retail, hospitality, schools and day care centres and in hospitals and health care facilities. Insects, rodents, birds, and other pests cause extensive damage to our food, health, and property each year. Many pests also transmit disease. Cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, rodents, and birds are directly involved in the transmission of such diseases as Food Poisoning, Malaria, Typhus, Viral Encephalitis, Plague and Lyme disease. Other pests bite or sting or cause allergic reactions in the indoor environment. Finally, pests living in and around buildings are objectionable to most people simply by their presence, detracting from the overall quality of life. Qualified Pest Management service providers are an essential component to ensure that pests are controlled in all areas in a responsible and environmentally safe manner. This qualification introduces the International Code of Conduct to the distribution and use of pesticides. The principles of the Code have been acknowledged in the design of this qualification. The code is accepted as the worldwide guidance document on pesticide management for all public and private entities engaged in, or associated with, the distribution and use of pesticides. This qualification will empower Pest Management Officers with knowledge in Vector-borne diseases, which account for about 17% of the estimated global burden of communicable diseases. These diseases are among the major causes of human illness and death in the African Region, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Vector control constitutes the first line of activity and plays a key role in prevention and control of major vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis and chikungunya. Improper use and general mismanagement of pesticides can cause harm to human health and the environment. It is therefore important that pesticides are applied and used in a sound and careful manner, and that their use poses a low risk to human health and to the environment. This qualification includes competencies related to the management of these risks. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have prioritised the training of Pest Management Officers through regulations for the registration of Pest Management Officers. The regulations provides for the P-registration of persons who deliver commercial Pest Management services and it is a requirement that no person shall offer Pest Management services unless delivered by a P-Registered officer. This ensures that all Pest Management Officers have the required competencies to control the application of chemicals in an environmentally safe and responsible manner as regulated by Law. This qualification is the accepted regulated requirement for persons seeking to obtain P-Registration with the Registrar. The qualification design consists of generic core of competencies that prepares a learner to specialise in weed and Invader Plant Management, Wood Destroying Organism Management, Structural Fumigation Management, Stored Agricultural Product Pest Management and Health and Nuisance Pest Management as part qualifications. Pest Management Officers are employed by enterprises involved in the management of pests in domestic, commercial and industrial work sites. This qualification addresses the need to promote employment opportunities in the Pest Management industry. This occupational qualification responds to a specific need in the South African labour market to provide a standard for the development of persons employed as P-Registered Pest Management Officers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • NQF Level 4 qualification with Mathematics.

• Conduct structural pest fumigation management in accordance with legislative and company requirements.
• Conduct stored agricultural product Pest Fumigation Management in accordance with legislative and company requirements.
• Conduct wood destroying organism management in accordance with legislative and company requirements.
• Conduct weed and invader plant management in accordance with legislative and company requirements.
• Conduct health and nuisance pest management in accordance with legislative and company requirements.