Communication and Information Systems Sailor

Job Details

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

Communicators and Information Systems (CIS) sailors operate the Navy's telecommunications systems using equipment which spans the communications spectrum. The CIS sailor also performs visual communications and operates and administers a number of Local and Wide area information technology networks used in the fleet. If you are a capable individual who can handle the challenge and responsibility of ensuring essential information flows to enable the Navy to fight and win at sea, a job in the field of telecommunications, visual communications and information technology maybe for you.

Due to the technology CIS sailors are involved in, they require a high level of responsibility and maturity in dealing with highly technical equipment and information. Precision, dependability and discretion are essential qualities for a CIS sailor due to the exposure to both classified and personnel information. You must be willing to accept responsibility early in your career and be able to either work independently and/or function as part of a team.

The primary roles of the CIS Category at sea are:

• Telecommunications;
• Information Technology;
• Visual communications;
• Information and Operational Security; and
• Information Management.

As a junior member of the CIS team, you will ensure the essential communications links between units at sea and stations ashore are maintained. You will be required to:

• Operate and coordinate telecommunications systems including automated networks, data links and circuits in the communication spectrum;
• Apply diagnostic, corrective and recovery techniques to telecommunications and information systems;
• Administer Local Area Networks, network troubleshooting, assigning user profiles, configuring network protocols, configuring networks, and performing system/file back-up and restorals;
• Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat, facsimile, email, tactical and administrative voice radio, flashing light (Morse code) and flag signalling;
• Work with highly classified information and material;
• Advise Command on tactical signalling and ship manoeuvring, and encode/decode and disseminate tactical and manoeuvring signals;
• Perform shipboard flag ceremonial procedures; and
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on communications compartments and specific equipment such as signal projectors, lights, flags, portable radios and selected information technology equipment.

In addition to telecommunications, visual communications and information technology responsibilities CIS sailors:

• Form part of boarding parties and may be required to conduct boarding operations from ships boats or helicopters;
• Form part of teams to fight fire, and conduct casualty location and rescue;
• Form part of teams to conduct Force Protection to protect the ship when alongside or when anchored;
• Perform Combat Survivability plotting and voice communications for the coordination of onboard fire fighting, toxic hazards and floods; and
• Work at Heights (climb the mast of a ship to carry out routine or emergency tasks, i.e. rig Dress Ship lines or retrieve signal flags).

Career Development

In the first six years you will complete recruit training, Initial Entry Training and serve at sea or ashore performing Communications and Information Systems duties. You can expect to serve at sea for at least 12-18 months on a Major Fleet Unit. On completion of your service at sea you will serve ashore in a Defence Communications Station or Fleet Information Communications Technology Support element. You may also volunteer and be recommended for sea service in Minor War Vessels.

For those who are competitive for promotion to Leading Seaman within the first six years, you will conduct the first of four Skill Grade advancement courses (Intermediate course). This Skill Grade course prepares CIS sailors for employment ashore and in any class of ship. You will be challenged with supervising the telecommunications, visual communications and information technology both at sea and ashore.