This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization, Safety and Technical Training Service Unit, Safety Directorate, Central Service Area (CSA) Safety Group, Air Traffic CSA Quality Assurance Team, AJI-1C10. The Service Area Safety Groups are responsible for monitoring safety reports and analyzing data and risk indicators to identify root causes of hazards and safety issues.
Duties
As an Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) in the Central Service Area Air Traffic Quality Assurance Team (1C10), the Specialist applies comprehensive knowledge of air traffic control staff programs, air traffic procedures, and quality assurance, to provide regional level expertise to evaluate facility operations and events for risk and to aggregate information necessary to create safety trend data. Performs complex, specialized air traffic control assignments. This work contributes directly to the accomplishment of air traffic and other FAA objectives and the efficiency and effectiveness of air traffic operations.
The ATCS applies knowledge of FAA programs, regulations, and missions to interpret and apply air traffic control quality assurance procedures, to coordinate compliance efforts, and to assess safety risk in the National Airspace System (NAS). Utilizing NAS reporting tools (e.g., the Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis and Reporting (CEDAR) system), and the FALCON replay tool, the ATCS collects and analyzes safety data, identifies safety hazards, and recommends actions to mitigate such hazards. Interprets safety management, quality control and operational procedures and policies to review and analyze aviation safety data. Identifies effective and ineffective barriers to safety and associated mitigation strategies. Audits air traffic operations and analyzes safety data to identify areas of highest potential risk. The ATCS reviews FAA Search and Rescue support actions.
Participates as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Barrier Analysis Review (BAR). As a technical authority on air traffic operations and procedures, the ATCS applies comprehensive knowledge of and experience with facility operations and controller compliance with air traffic separation procedures to engage facility management about risks in their operations and processes. Identifies opportunities for mitigation. Participates in BAR to analyze and identify what operational and procedural barriers are effective. Assists in identifying those barriers which need strengthening.
Contacts are internal and external to the FAA. Often represents AJI as a senior point of contact on aviation quality assurance initiatives and technical evaluations of both Federal and non-Federal facilities and equipment. Contacts include facility managers, system users, and facility quality control groups (QCG). As an authority in air traffic quality assurance programs, the ATCS works independently, although the work is subject to review by program officials and representatives for quality of results, compatibility with regional and national goals, conformance with established policies, and consonance with program objectives. Defines, organizes, and allocates resources to accomplish important work activities with established schedules. The Team Manager typically reviews work through status reports and at completion.
Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for completing work objectives but allow considerable discretion to develop new or innovative approaches. Draws on experience and knowledge to solve unusual problems.
