Communications Security (COMSEC) Account Manager

Department of Defence; Cabarlah; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Defence seeks a proactive COMSEC Account Manager to lead a small team responsible for safeguarding, accounting and disposing of all Accountable COMSEC Material (ACM) in accordance with the Defence Communications Security Procedures and AKMI/CARDS policies.

Based at Cabarlah, Queensland, the role requires on-site work, readiness to respond at short notice, and collaboration with Defence partners to deliver cryptographic support, training and policy guidance across the Darling

Qualifications

• Experience with COMSEC accounting and cryptographic procedures.
• Ability to lead and mentor a specialised team.
• Security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2 or higher.

Responsibilities

• Manage the COMSEC team: provide direction, leadership, tasking and supervision of ADF personnel.
• Maintain understanding of COMSEC and Defence Security policies (DCP, PSPF, etc.).
• Manage COMSEC on-call roster for 24-hour high-readiness support.
• Operate AKMI and CARDS accounts, ensure policy-compliant tasks.
• Deliver COMSEC training and incident management; conduct inspections.

Skills

Leadership

Policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

On-call management

Cryptography basics

Tools

CARDS system

AKMI

Job description

Communications Security (COMSEC) Account Manager

You will lead a small, integrated team of Communications Security (COMSEC) specialists. As the COMSEC Account Manager (CAM), you are responsible to the appointing authority for the operation and management of the COMSEC account. This includes ensuring the safeguarding, accounting, handling, and disposition of all Accountable COMSEC Material (ACM).

The role requires a comprehensive understanding of cryptographic procedures for both Communications Electronic Attack and Australian Key Management Infrastructure (AKMI) accounts, ensuring all COMSEC information management practices are conducted in accordance with the Defence Communications Security Procedures (DCP) and relevant cryptographic publications.

Your responsibilities extend to ensuring the cryptographic support requirements of the 7th Signal Regiment (7 Sig Regt) are met effectively and reliably. You will also provide mentoring, guidance, and management support to the Defence Force School of Signals Electronic Warfare Wing, Army Aviation Training Centre, and other supported elements within the Darling Downs region.

As the COMSEC Account Manager, you will engage proactively with key stakeholders to identify, anticipate and address organisational needs and expectations. This includes providing technical, professional and policy advice, as well as contributing to strategic planning, program and project management and policy development.

Specifically, your key responsibilities will include:

• Management of the COMSEC team; providing clear direction, leadership, tasking and supervision of ADF personnel.
• Maintaining an excellent understanding of COMSEC and Defence Security policies; including the DCP, Defence Security Principles Framework, Protective Security Policy Framework and Australian Communications Security Instruction series.
• Managing and participating in the COMSEC on-call roster to deliver effective, high-readiness 24-hour support.
• Operating and managing Australian Key Management Infrastructure (AKMI) and COMSEC Accounting, Distribution and Records System (CARDS) accounts, completing all routine and mandatory tasks as required by policy to maintain compliance.
• Applying advanced COMSEC accounting practices including; issuing keying material, managing EDRs, administering SF153s, CARDS accounting, using local issue procedures, conducting security checks, and coordinating domestic and overseas ACM movements in accordance with policy.
• Conducting routine COMSEC inspections across supported elements, providing assistance, guidance, and training where appropriate.
• Delivering mandatory COMSEC annual training, including pre and post deployment training to unit personnel.
• Management of COMSEC incidents, including reporting, investigation, escalation and ongoing monitoring.
• Developing, delivering and maintaining COMSEC briefings for the unit and supported elements.

About our Team

The 7 Sig Regt Communications Security team operates a dedicated COMSEC facility within the Regimental Headquarters. Reporting directly to the Regimental Operations Officer, the team provides cryptographic support to Headquarters 7 Sig Regt.

The team plays a critical role in ensuring Defence’s information assurance requirements are maintained across training activities, capability trials and operational activities.

7 Sig Regt is located at Borneo Barracks in Cabarlah, approximately 20 km north of Toowoomba, Queensland. This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site and be capable of responding and attending the workplace at short notice while on call.

Our Ideal Candidate

They will be highly self-motivated and capable of ensuring the successful delivery of COMSEC in support within high-tempo operational and training environments. The candidate must demonstrate the personal attributes required to organise, support, advise and lead a specialised team of COMSEC professionals. This includes displaying integrity, strong communications skills, sound judgement, initiative and the ability to work independently when required.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at "Negative Vetting Level 2".

The Role

You will lead a small, integrated team of Communications Security (COMSEC) specialists. As the COMSEC Account Manager (CAM), you are responsible to the appointing authority for the operation and management of the COMSEC account. This includes ensuring the safeguarding, accounting, handling, and disposition of all Accountable COMSEC Material (ACM).

The role requires a comprehensive understanding of cryptographic procedures for both Communications Electronic Attack and Australian Key Management Infrastructure (AKMI) accounts, ensuring all COMSEC information management practices are conducted in accordance with the Defence Communications Security Procedures (DCP) and relevant cryptographic publications.

Your responsibilities extend to ensuring the cryptographic support requirements of the 7th Signal Regiment (7 Sig Regt) are met effectively and reliably. You will also provide mentoring, guidance, and management support to the Defence Force School of Signals Electronic Warfare Wing, Army Aviation Training Centre, and other supported elements within the Darling Downs region.

As the COMSEC Account Manager, you will engage proactively with key stakeholders to identify, anticipate and address organisational needs and expectations. This includes providing technical, professional and policy advice, as well as contributing to strategic planning, program and project management and policy development.

Specifically, your key responsibilities will include:

• Management of the COMSEC team; providing clear direction, leadership, tasking and supervision of ADF personnel.
• Maintaining an excellent understanding of COMSEC and Defence Security policies; including the DCP, Defence Security Principles Framework, Protective Security Policy Framework and Australian Communications Security Instruction series.
• Managing and participating in the COMSEC on-call roster to deliver effective, high-readiness 24-hour support.
• Operating and managing Australian Key Management Infrastructure (AKMI) and COMSEC Accounting, Distribution and Records System (CARDS) accounts, completing all routine and mandatory tasks as required by policy to maintain compliance.
• Applying advanced COMSEC accounting practices including; issuing keying material, managing EDRs, administering SF153s, CARDS accounting, using local issue procedures, conducting security checks, and coordinating domestic and overseas ACM movements in accordance with policy.
• Conducting routine COMSEC inspections across supported elements, providing assistance, guidance, and training where appropriate.
• Delivering mandatory COMSEC annual training, including pre and post deployment training to unit personnel.
• Management of COMSEC incidents, including reporting, investigation, escalation and ongoing monitoring.
• Developing, delivering and maintaining COMSEC briefings for the unit and supported elements.

About our Team

The 7 Sig Regt Communications Security team operates a dedicated COMSEC facility within the Regimental Headquarters. Reporting directly to the Regimental Operations Officer, the team provides cryptographic support to Headquarters 7 Sig Regt.

The team plays a critical role in ensuring Defence’s information assurance requirements are maintained across training activities, capability trials and operational activities.

7 Sig Regt is located at Borneo Barracks in Cabarlah, approximately 20 km north of Toowoomba, Queensland. This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site and be capable of responding and attending the workplace at short notice while on call.

Our Ideal Candidate

They will be highly self-motivated and capable of ensuring the successful delivery of COMSEC in support within high-tempo operational and training environments. The candidate must demonstrate the personal attributes required to organise, support, advise and lead a specialised team of COMSEC professionals. This includes displaying integrity, strong communications skills, sound judgement, initiative and the ability to work independently when required.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at "Negative Vetting Level 2".

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers