As well as being a pre-press operator, I am also a pre-press trainer. In Australia, the entry level is a Certificate III in Graphic Pre-press, which is made up of 15 core and 5 elective units (the last five in the list below are electives, different colleges offer different electives). This is not a job description, however it does list the general subjects that one is expected to be competent in (both the theory and practice). One could develop a job description from such info.
Apply knowledge of the graphic pre-press sector
Access and use the Internet
Develop a basic design concept
Select and apply type
Produce pages using a page layout application
Produce graphics using a graphics application
Output images
Produce a typographic image
Digitise images for reproduction
Create pages using a page layout application
Prepare an imposition format for printing processes
Undertake digital proofing
Inspect quality against required standards
Maintain a safe work environment
Communicate in the workplace
Create graphics using a graphics application
Operate a database for digital printing
Edit a digital image
Generate high-end PDF files
Transfer digital files
Hope this helps,
Sincerely,
Stephen Marsh
