Application
This unit describes the skills required to manage risks and security for human sources, interact and communicate effectively with sources, and manage source information.
Human sources are people who provide information about activities within correctional facilities or community release behaviour to correctional services staff. Information may be provided on an ongoing or one-off basis. Human sources may be:
covert sources
community sources
contact sources
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be carried out within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are performed. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to management of human sources and source information.
A person undertaking this role works independently and in small teams under light supervision, making independent decisions based on a specified procedural framework.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Manage risk and operational safety and security for human sources | 1.1 Manage human source activities in conjunction with relevant stakeholders. 1.2 Assess human source suitability as an intelligence asset. 1.3 Provide contact arrangements to ensure operational security and effectiveness of human source. 1.4 Establish and maintain suitable locations for meeting a human source. 1.5 Provide instruction and briefing to human source on operational security and safety. 1.6 Create and maintain an appropriate cover story. 1.7 Monitor risk to human source and implement appropriate action. |
2. Interact/ communicate effectively with human sources | 2.1 Establish rapport and confidential relationship with human source. 2.2 Use language and communication techniques appropriate to the human source being engaged. 2.3 Gather information in a secure and discreet manner without compromising the integrity of the human source operation. 2.4 Interact with human sources and co-workers while maintaining professional boundaries. |
3. Manage human source information | 3.1 Record human source details and maintain contact records. 3.2 Evaluate and re-evaluate human source information. 3.3 Store information collected from human sources securely. 3.4 De-identify human source information where necessary. 3.5 Disseminate human source information to relevant parties. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least two occasions.
recognising and accurately assessing situational risks/hazards
minimising workplace risks to self, colleagues and the public
effectively communicating with a wide range of community members
using analysing, decision making and problem solving skills to ensure human source value and safety
maintaining ethical practices and self-awareness in interaction with human sources
employing negotiation skills to communicate effectively with human sources, colleagues and other contacts
using interview techniques to make effective use of human sources
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
organisation's policies and procedures related to the correctional services facility
work health and safety guidelines relevant to contact and interaction with human sources
potential risks associated with managing human sources
software and operating equipment used in compiling intelligence products
risk assessment techniques used to assess human source suitability
own roles and responsibilities
jurisdictional and organisational requirements of agencies, clients, and stakeholders
professional integrity and standards of behaviour
cultural awareness in order to interact with human sources and colleagues while maintaining professional boundaries
verbal/non-verbal communication techniques and processes, such as:
controlling own demeanour to display a range of attitudes ranging from passiveness to aggression within appropriate circumstances
use of voice to de-escalate tense or aggressive situations
effective questioning:
developing strategies to communicate in a manner that contributes to rapport and invites open conversation by others
using relevant questioning to support intelligence or objectives by discrete means to protect operational security
attentiveness to all information that can be gleaned from human source
deflection techniques to avoid answering questions from human sources or others in order to maintain personal and operational security
information sources to inform the interaction with and management of human sources
Assessment Conditions
Valid assessment of this unit requires a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when working with human sources.
This unit has been identified by industry as suitable for holistic assessment with:
CSCITL505 Analyse information
CSCITL506 Produce and review standard intelligence products
Refer to advice on holistic assessment in the
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
ACSF levels indicative of performance:
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the
Competency Field
Intelligence