This unit of competency has application in those work roles involving the supervision of security operations from a control room environment. Competency requires legal and operational knowledge applicable to relevant sectors of the security industry. The knowledge and skills described in this unit are to be applied within relevant legislative and organisational guidelines.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for operations.

1.1 Applicable provisions of legislative and organisational requirements relevant to control room operations are identified and complied with.

1.2 Operational plans and other relevant information are accessed and reviewed.

1.3 Operational effectiveness of security systems and technology is checked and confirmed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

1.4 Preventative and breakdown maintenance arrangements for security systems and technology are confirmed.

1.5 Designated operational roles and responsibilities of field staff are confirmed.

1.6 Communication channels and processes are confirmed with relevant persons.

1.7 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues are identified and appropriate risk control measures implemented in accordance with organisational requirements.

2Control field staff activity.

2.1 Security systems and technology are used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to monitor security operations and field staff activity.

2.2 Communication with field staff is maintained on a routine and systematic basis in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3 Irregular or non-responses from field staff are actioned in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.4 Requests for assistance are received, confirmed and organised in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.5 Factors affecting the achievement of security operations are identified and recommendations for variation to operational plan are confirmed and communicated to relevant persons.

2.6 Operational information is recorded and reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

3Coordinate responses to incidents.

3.1 Incidents are identified based on available information and appropriate response formulated and implemented.

3.2 Contingencies and additional resources are anticipated to support a prompt and effective response.

3.3 Changing circumstances are identified and variations to response are determined and implemented in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.4 Continual exchange of information is maintained with field staff and relevant persons.

3.5 Requirements for additional support or specialist advice by field staff is promptly actioned in accordance with organisational procedures.

4Review and complete operations.

4.1 Change of shift procedures are implemented in accordance with organisational procedures and ensure system and monitoring continuity is maintained.

4.2 Operational reports use clear and concise language and meet organisational standards of style, format and accuracy.

4.3 Incident and response observations are provided accurately and constructively and identify opportunities for improvement.

4.4 Identified faults or deficiencies in security systems and technology are documented and reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.5 Findings and recommendations from review of operations are forwarded to relevant persons to inform future practice.

4.6 Relevant documentation is completed and securely maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

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

Required skills

analyse and implement response based on information received

appreciate different cultural and social practices

coaching and mentoring to provide support to colleagues

communicate in a clear and concise manner when sending and relaying information

comply with relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

estimate and calculate time required to complete work tasks

identify and diagnose faults or deficiencies in operation of security systems

interpret security codes and alarm signals

operate and maintain a range of security systems and equipment

prepare and present written and computer-based information

prioritise work tasks and maintain schedules.

Required knowledge

communication terminology (approved company greeting, call signs, codes, signals)

emergency procedures

local hazards and environmental threats

operational principles and functions of security systems and equipment

principles of effective communication

reconnaissance processes

relevant legislative provisions including ohs and licensing requirements

reporting, documentation requirements and processes

risk assessment

roles and responsibilities of support and emergency services

routine problem solving strategies

security risk assessment methods

verification requirements for assessing authenticity of received information.

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

carrying out risk assessments and implementing appropriate responses to security incidents including the provision of accurate and complete briefings to field staff based on existing information

establishing communication channels and processes to accurately receive and convey information in both routine and non-routine circumstances in a manner which engages minority groups

providing accurate and constructive operational observations, completing documentation in appropriate style and format, and maintaining security of the records system

systematically carrying out field staff monitoring activities and determining variations to operational plans when factors affecting the achievement of work tasks are identified.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:

observation of processes and procedures

questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

apprehension and powers of arrest

Australian standards and quality assurance requirements

counter-terrorism

crowd control and control of persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

force continuum, use of force guidelines

general 'duty of care' responsibilities

inspection of people and property, and search and seizure of goods

licensing or certification requirements

privacy and confidentiality

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, codes and national standards for:

anti-discrimination

cultural and ethnic diversity

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

OHS

relevant industry codes of practice

telecommunications

trespass and the removal of persons.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

business and performance plans

client service standards

code of conduct, code of ethics

communication and reporting procedures

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

OHS policies, procedures and programs

own role, responsibility and authority

personal and professional development

privacy and confidentiality of information

quality assurance and continuous improvement processes and standards

resource parameters and procedures

roles, functions and responsibilities of security personnel

storage and disposal of information.

Relevant informationmay include:

applicable legislation and codes of practice

communication and reporting channels

manufacturers specifications

operations manuals

personnel schedules

security operational plans

terms of reference.

Security systemsmay include:

acoustic sensors

automatic entrance and exit devices

closed circuit television

electronic field detection systems

fire alarms

infra-red sensors

intelligent building systems

movement detectors

other access control systems

other intruder alarm systems

weighbridge operation

wide angle cameras.

Preventative and breakdown maintenance arrangementsmay include:

alternative and backup systems and procedures

emergency response plans

preventative maintenance plans

programmed maintenance.

Communication channels and processesmay include:

direct line supervision paths

established communication protocols

formal communication pathways

lateral supervision paths

organisational communication networks

verbal and non-verbal communication procedures eg pro-words, phonetic alphabet, call signs, coded messages, use of abbreviations, hand signals.

Relevant personsmay include:

clients

colleagues

emergency services personnel

field staff

management.

Riskrelates to:

the chance of something happening that will have an impact on objectives.

Security risks may relate to:

biological hazards

chemical spills

client contact

electrical faults

explosives

financial viability

injury to personnel

noise, light, heat, smoke

persons carrying weapons

persons causing a public nuisance

persons demonstrating suspicious behaviour

persons suffering from emotional or physical distress

persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

persons with criminal intent

persons, vehicles and equipment in unsuitable locations

property or people

security systems

suspicious packages or substances

systems or process failures

terrorism

violence or physical threats.

Assistancemay involve:

explaining or clarifying

implementation of pre-determined countermeasures

problem solving

providing back-up support

providing encouragement

providing feedback to another team member

undertaking extra tasks as necessary.

Factorsmay include:

budget constraints

competing work demands

environmental factors (time, weather)

resource and materials availability

technology or equipment breakdowns

unforeseen incidents

workplace hazards, risks and controls.

Responsesmay involve:

disciplinary action according to organisational requirements

dispatching field support staff

execution of standard operating procedures for the occurrence of particular events

notifying emergency services

notifying relevant personnel.

Documentationmay include:

activity reports

radio and telephone records

records of conversation

request for assistance forms

request for resources forms

running sheets

situation reports

task allocation sheets

written or computer-based information.

Unit sector

Security

Security and risk management

This unit contains employability skills.