This unit was developed for Combat Systems Operators working within Defence but is applicable to any individual in this field of work. This unit is intended for application in an operations room setting. General support duties are performed in addition to one's core duty function which will usually relate to sensor operations.

The application of this unit in the workplace includes receiving and clarifying work instructions, preparing combat systems equipment for use, and performing supportive administrative tasks. It also includes handling and loading operational data into combat systems equipment and assisting in the dissemination of information to aid in command decision making.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Participate in workplace briefings

1.1 Workplace briefings are attended, where allocated tasks and general support requirements are received

1.2 Relevant information from the briefing is recorded and clarified as required

1.3 Information or tasks specific to general support requirements are incorporated into own duty performance

2. Prepare and enable equipment for operation

2.1 Ancillary equipment is gathered and made available in preparation to undertake duties

2.2 Equipment is turned on and daily system operability tests are performed

2.3 Equipment faults or defects are recognised and reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.4 Operational data required to enable equipment function is loaded

2.5 Communication links are checked to confirm ability to communicate internally and externally to the operations room

3. Process and distribute information to promote situational awareness

3.1 Tasks relating to the processing and distribution of information are received and acted on

3.2 Relevant information is gathered and interpreted for application to current situation

3.3 Relevant information is displayed and/or distributed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.4 Security procedures are strictly applied in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.5 Currency of information is maintained in accordance with shift supervisor instructions

4. Perform administrative support tasks

4.1 Correspondence is compiled and distributed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4.2 Official records of workplace occurrences are maintained to allow for subsequent review in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4.3 Ancillary equipment stores holding and deficiencies are monitored and reported to shift supervisor in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5. Clean operations room

5.1 Cleaning equipment is gathered in accordance with cleaning task requirements

5.2 Safety requirements during cleaning duties are applied in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5.3 Cleaning is conducted in accordance with shift supervisor instructions and organisational policies and procedures

5.4 Chemicals used during cleaning are handled in accordance with standards contained within the appropriate material safety data sheet

5.5 Where departmentalequipment is cleaned, manufacturer cleaning instructions are complied with

5.6 At the completion of cleaning, equipment is correctly stored and refurbished ready for later use

6. Secure operations room in preparation for periods of inactivity

6.1 Internal and external communications links are closed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

6.2 Departmental equipment is sanitised to prevent loss of data or breach of departmental security requirements

6.3 Departmental equipment is correctly shut down and secured in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

6.4 Ancillary equipment is correctly recovered, refurbished and stored ready for later use

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

Required Skills

accurately analyse and validate operational data

apply a range of problem-solving strategies to work outcomes

clean a workplace in accordance with organisational requirements

clearly articulate information and advice

comply with operations room security requirements

consistently evaluate and monitor own performance

effectively communicate with operations room personnel and adequately receive and interpret instructions

maintain a small equipment inventory

manage own tasks within timeframes

Required Knowledge

basic cleaning routines and organisational requirements

basic inventory management policy and procedures

correspondence and records management policy and procedures

information support requirements within operations room including collecting, displaying and disseminating information

management of security policy and procedures

operations room security requirements

procedure and requirements for loading and validating operational data into combat systems

procedure to perform daily system operability testing including recognising and responding to faults

scope and nature of general support tasks applicable to operations room environment

use and application of operations room ancillary equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

adequately prepare operations room equipment for function

contribute to information management which promotes operations room situational awareness

effectively incorporate general support duties into core duties as a member of the operations room shift

apply organisational security requirement during the performance of duty.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

actual or simulated operations room

equipment and ancillary equipment used in a functioning operations room

organisational policies and procedures relevant to a functioning operations room.

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Relevant information may include

Administrative requirements

Area risk state

Authentication policy

Cleaning requirements

Emissions control policy

Emitter state

Equipment requirements

Operator expectations

Security requirements

Serial information

Situational awareness

Ancillary equipment may include

Charts

Command support systems

Expandable Bathythermograph

Expendable mobile anti-submarine warfare training target

Headsets

Job aids/aide memoire

Plotting equipment

Stationary

Organisational policies and procedures may include

Instructions

Operating manuals

Orders

Relevant Australian Standards

Relevant Commonwealth Acts

Relevant Maritime Laws

Security policy and procedure

Standard Operating Procedures

Operational data may include

Air lanes

Combat air patrol stations

Cryptographic information

Data link information

Exercise area data

Handover gates

Local notice to mariners

Reference points

Rendezvous information

Sensor tracking sectors

Tasks relating to the processing and distribution of information may include

Laying out publications, logs and cryptographic material

Obtaining operational data including call signs, intelligence report, exercise serials

Reading and extracting information from a range of sources in support of operations room activities

Recording operational information on systems such as CCTV, notepad, state boards, visual display screen

Security procedures may include

Control of access

Cryptographic material muster

Document security

Information system security

Publication muster

Securing containers

Correspondence may include

Email

Information systems

Operations room narrative

Signals

Underwater telephone log

Departmental equipment may include

Command support systems

Computers

Information systems

Office machines

State boards

Tactical display

Weapons consoles

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit/s

Nil