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Help us interpret the language of intelligence to protect Australians and their interests
- Do you speak a South-East Asian, South Asian, North-East Asian, Middle Eastern, East African, North African or South-West European language?
- Do you want to work for a world-class organisation with interesting and challenging work as well as excellent and varied career prospects?
- Do you want the opportunity to work with intelligent, committed and enthusiastic people?
- Are you looking for a job where quality of life is maintained, with flexible working hours, generous conditions of service and where you can't take your work home?
- Do you want to play an essential role in protecting Australia's interests, including countering terrorism and making Australians' lives safer?
If you answer 'yes' to these questions, DSD would like to hear from you. We have a continuing requirement for linguists, and we offer flexible working arrangements including full-time, part-time, shiftwork and job-share positions.
Throughout this site you will learn about DSD, why it is a great place to work and the role you might play in making a difference to Australia's security and national interests.
About us
DSD is a highly professional and dynamic organisation that operates in the slim area between the difficult and the impossible. Our people are motivated, have initiative and commitment, and enjoy working in a great team.
Linguists play an essential role in signals intelligence. There are opportunities every day for you to make a valuable contribution to the Australian Government's and Australian Defence Force's (ADF) decision-making by conducting timely and accurate intelligence analysis and producing high quality reports. Your reports will attract the highest level of readership both in Australia and overseas.
Although working very much behind the scenes in a high security environment, you will nevertheless remain in close touch with world events, at times witnessing developments first-hand.
Most linguists work in small teams, collaborating with other teams across a range of disciplines. Therefore, you will need good analytic skills to assess the intelligence value of material to customers both within and outside DSD.
About you
A formal qualification is not essential, provided your linguist skills and knowledge is equivalent to that obtained through academic studies or experience in the ADF, or you are a native speaker of the languages concerned. Our language requirements vary from year to year, although we have high demand for South-East Asian, South Asian, North-East Asian, Middle Eastern, East African, North African and South-West European languages.
You will need to pass a demanding test, involving translating and transcribing into accurate English from recorded material. If you are selected, you might have the opportunity to learn another language.
But linguistic ability is just one of the qualities we look for. After evaluating foreign language material, you need to make decisions about what to translate and what to reject - sound judgment is, therefore, essential. A keen interest in world affairs is a major advantage. When processing information, strong analytical and interpretative abilities are vital to be able to produce accurate and succinct reports for our customers. We need good communicators and, because of our dynamic work environment, you must be versatile and adaptable.
Technology is essential to DSD, so you will also need to be comfortable with IT, but training on our IT systems will be provided.
The job
It is difficult to explain exactly what you will be doing on a day-to-day basis. This is partly because we are limited by security considerations as to what we can say, but equally because the job is so diverse that it defies simple definitions.The work goes beyond simple translation tasks. You will use your translation skills in conjunction with your research and analytical skills to present a clear and relevant intelligence picture.
So what might you expect to do in an average day? Working with the foreign
language material, you will be called upon to determine the relevance
and importance of the collected material. You could then be called upon
to produce a translation or transcript of this material, and then to draft
a report based upon the information of intelligence value within the material.
All of these activities may require you to undertake extensive background
research, and to draw upon your understanding and knowledge of the culture
concerned. The ability to work closely with others in a small team environment
is essential, as are good communication and liaison skills to enable you
to deal effectively with other sections of the Directorate, and other
Defence and government intelligence and policy agencies.
Overall you will play a critical role in the success of DSD's mission, and in protecting Australia's interests and Australians' lives. Later on, you may be presented with further career opportunities in other areas of DSD's operations such as specialised reporting, communications analysis, specialised collection and analysis collection, or inter-agency liaison.
What do you gain from working for DSD?
Are you intrigued yet? Here are some more reasons why you should consider applying for a linguist role in DSD:
- The nature of the work is unique and varied. The work you perform
keeps you interested and coming back for more.
- DSD is one of the few employers to give you a chance to use your talent
for language every day.
- The work you perform will make a difference and possibly save lives.
- You will have a chance to improve your current language skills with
domestic and, in many cases, overseas training opportunities. Or you
might choose to learn another language.
- There may be opportunities to travel overseas.
Employment specifications
DSD is part of the Australian Public Service and is a Canberra-based organisation. Salaries are competitive with industry comparisons and are commensurate with skills and qualifications. A generous superannuation scheme contributes to the overall package and flexible remuneration schemes are available.
Depending upon your experience and qualifications, you will be employed from the DSD Level 4 to Level 6 (APS4–APS6). In addition to your base salary, you may also be eligible for a payment to recognise your language proficiency.
An APS 4 normally receives a starting salary of $56,996, an APS 5 $63,570, an APS6 $69,642 (from July 2010). Performance-based advancement can substantially enhance salary beyond these points.
The above constitutes the basis of our employment package but it may be worthwhile considering a few of the less tangible advantages of working in DSD. Some of these include:
- the DSD Unified Structure (allowing excellent opportunities for performance-based
progression)
- employment under the Defence Employees' Certified Agreement
- comprehensive training and career development support through assistance
with further studies
- interesting and highly valued work of national importance
- four weeks annual leave and cumulative personal leave
- removal and relocation expenses for interstate applicants
- an employer that understands the need for a balance between your work and private life.
How to express an interest
You must be an Australian citizen with at least 10 years checkable background
and meet DSD's selection requirements. You will also be required to undergo
a language assessment and an extensive security clearance.
If you are interested in a position as a linguist with DSD, you are invited
to forward a CV providing personal details, employment history, nationality
and details of the source of your language skills (i.e. university, ADF
training, native speaker, etc). The CV should be forwarded to:
Mail:
Linguist Employment
Locked Bag 5076
Kingston ACT 2604
Submission of a CV as an expression of interest does not constitute
a formal application for a linguist position. The CV will be used to identify
people who may meet DSD's requirements, who will then be invited to participate
in a formal recruitment round.
Note: There are three assessment barriers within the band. The commencing salary for these positions is expected to be at the APS4, APS5 or APS6 equivalent. This may vary according to the applicant's skills, experience and subject matter expertise. A formal assessment process determines progression beyond this level.
These are security assessed positions to the Top Secret (Positive Vetting) level.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is DSD a military organisation?
No. DSD is a civilian organisation, although there are a number of military
personnel working here in an integrated environment.
2. Do I need to be an Australian citizen to gain employment with DSD?
Yes. DSD is part of the Australian Public Service, so you will need to
be an Australian citizen with at least 10 years checkable background.
3. Will I need a security clearance to work at DSD?
Yes. Due to the sensitive nature of the work undertaken at the Directorate,
you will need to pass a security assessment.
4. What does a security clearance involve?
To get a security clearance you will need to provide personal details
including family history, employment and financial background information.
You will be required to attend an interview with a security vetting officer
and nominate a number of referees. You will also need to provide original
copies of certain documents, including your birth certificate and passport.
5. Will I be able to tell my friends and family what I do?
Yes and no. The nature of DSD's work means that many aspects of your working
day will relate to classified material and, naturally, you will not be
able to discuss these with friends and family.
6. What does DSD do?
DSD is a highly professional, people-oriented organisation and a key Australian
intelligence agency. It collects and produces foreign signals intelligence
and is the authority for the Australian Government on computer and information
security. Further information about DSD may be obtained from the inquiry into Australian intelligence agencies (Flood Review)
www.pmc.gov.au/intelligence_inquiry/index.htm.
7. Are there any positions outside of Canberra?
No, all linguist/analyst positions are based in Canberra, but as you progress
within DSD, you may have the opportunity to compete for positions elsewhere in Australia or overseas.