Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to process communications in a language other than English to enable information to be reported to appropriate personnel for further analysis and reporting.

Application of the Unit 

Workers normally perform this activity within routines, methods and procedures, which require some discretion and judgement. The majority of work is performed under supervision, at the same time maintaining high levels of accuracy, personal accountability and security.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Create target text file 

1.1 Target text file is accessed in accordance with standard procedures 

1.2 Text file and message formatting procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures

2. Annotate intercept details 

2.1 Intercept details  and peripheral information  are logged in accordance with standard procedures

2.2 Organisational abbreviations  are used for brevity in accordance with standard procedures

2.3 Information from emission  is transcribed without losing its original meaning or intent, in accordance with standard procedures

2.4 Message type  is identified and annotated in accordance with standard procedures

2.5 Problems encountered during the transcription process are analysed and appropriate actions are taken in accordance with standard procedures

2.6 Security of information is maintained in accordance with standard procedures

2.7 Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements and safety precautions are applied throughout the process

2.8 Legal requirements  for activities are identified and applied during the process

3. Report items of interest 

3.1 Basic analysis of information is conducted and significant items of interest are identified in accordance with organisational requirements

3.2 Significant items of interest are prioritised in accordance with standard procedures and reported to appropriate personnel 

3.3 Completed text file is forwarded to appropriate personnel for checking

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• assess languages in order to determine the language skills required for transcription to occur
• communicateeffectively within the workplace
• follow instructions/directives and report information
• listen effectively
• maintain records and make timely reports
• manage personal work priorities and professional development
• type with a minimum speed of 35 words per minute and an accuracy of 98 percent
• use organisational computer equipment and applications to produce simple workplace documents and for communications intercept
• use workplace and language publications and other reference material to conduct research

Required Knowledge 

• antenna theory
• communications procedures
• electromagnetic spectrum
• international 'Q' and 'Z' codes including phonetic alphabet
• international time zones and datelines
• military and organisational abbreviations
• relevant organisational policies and legislation
• reporting procedures and formats
• security procedures
• sound understanding of computer equipment and applications in accordance with workplace procedures
• target language including recognising key words, numbers and phrases in context at an intermediate level
• work environment layout
• workplace orientation and induction procedures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

• Assessment must confirm the ability to transcribe verbal information in the target language, including recognising key words and phrases, and prioritising these significant items of interest as defined by the workplace.
• In particular assessment must confirm the ability to use the correct workplace text file and message formatting procedures to produce a completed text file for further analysis.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time and should be observed in a range of actual or simulated work contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed under direct supervision and should focus on the individual's ability to:

• demonstrate basic practical skills, such as the use of relevant tools/systems
• perform a sequence of routine tasks given clear direction
• receive and pass on messages/information.

In all cases it is expected that targeted questioning to assess the required knowledge by recall will support practical assessment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• audio playback equipment
• language specific dictionary
• workplace specific recording systems.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Standard procedures may include 

Australian Quality Training Framework

Australian Standards

Defence instructions

Doctrine pamphlets

Industry practices

Job guides and other publications

Maintenance schedules

Manufacturers' specifications, procedures and technical instructions

OH&S requirements and regulations

Organisational instructions and journals

Organisational policies and procedures

Quality control

Regulatory requirements

Relevant local government by-laws

Routine orders

Security instructions and procedures

Standard Operating Procedures

Standing orders

Workplace agreements

Written and verbal orders

Intercept details may include 

Call signs

Date and time

Duration of transmission

International 'Q' and 'Z' codes

Type of working

Peripheral information may include 

Antenna

Atmospheric conditions

Frequency

Intercept site

Line of bearing

Mode of transmission

Operator chat

Organisational abbreviations may include 

Approved language abbreviations for place names, common words and acronyms

Organisational/international prosigns

Organisational specific codes

Information from emission may include 

Fax

Live communications

Modem

Morse code

Recorded communications

Voice

Message type may include 

Encrypted traffic

Plain text

Legal requirements may include 

Geneva conventions and protocols

International laws

Laws of Armed Conflict

National laws

Rules of Engagement

State/territory laws

Appropriate personnel may include 

External agencies

Internal agencies

Linguists

Reporters

Supervisors

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil