Airport Operations Dispatcher

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs skilled, technical work in the operation of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s (GFIAA) operations dispatch system. Receives emergency and routine public safety and service calls from all areas of the airport property and premises, dispatches appropriate equipment and personnel and/or takes other appropriate action based on the information received. Maintains two-way radio communication with airport police, fire/rescue, operations, maintenance and other department staff. Work is performed under general supervision in accordance with departmental policies and procedures with considerable latitude for independent action and initiative.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Listed examples are illustrative and representative of the tasks required of this classification, but are not intended to be complete or exhaustive for this position.

• Operates a variety of communications equipment, including two-way radios, pagers, public address systems, and telephones.
• Receives calls requesting maintenance and operations services and dispatches maintenance and operations staff as appropriate.
• Receives calls for emergency assistance, determines appropriate level of initial response, and dispatches airport police and/or rescue/fire personnel as appropriate.
• Monitors weather conditions and forecasts and notifies airport management of potential weather problems.
• Contacts on-call and off-duty personnel for emergency recalls to the airport.
• Monitors the Airport Security Access Control System and other airport safety, security and operating systems, and dispatches appropriate staff in response to alarms and warning signals as appropriate.
• Maintains records of calls and alarms received and responses thereto, and prepares required reports.
• Provides information to the public and airport clients and customers.
• Monitors aeronautical radio frequencies, receives and distributes Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM’s) and Field Condition Reports, and notifies appropriate parties of potential safety problems.
• Performs related work as required.

REQURIED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited institution in Aviation Management, Aviation Science, Business Administration or other relevant field or three years of progressively responsible and demonstrably successful experience in lieu of degree.
• Basic working knowledge of the practices and principles of airport administration, operations, security and airfield maintenance preferred.
• Satisfactory work record and personal history.
• Training or experience in the use of electronic communications equipment, including, but not limited to, voice and data communications equipment, radio transmitters and paging devices, and electronic recording devices.
• Computer literacy and working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database management applications.
• Knowledge of standard practices and procedures of airport communications operations preferred.
• Ability to accurately type brief statements on various electronic input devices.
• Ability to quickly prioritize and respond to various events taking place concurrently.
• Ability to interact positively with callers from diverse cultural backgrounds with widely varying English language skills and oral fluency.
• Ability to interact positively and appropriately with coworkers, supervisors, airport tenants and public from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Must be available and able to work any assigned shift. Shifts may include nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating irregular shift assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful work experience in an airport or public safety dispatch facility.
• Training in or knowledge of aviation safety or operation preferred.

NOTES:

• Candidate must be able to pass required FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check in addition to pre-hire and random drug and alcohol screenings.
• Candidate must maintain an appropriate level airport badge at all times.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Good voice modulation and diction.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to read data displayed on video terminals and observe telemonitoring screens and equipment.
• Must have sufficient auditory acuity with or without audiological appliances to accurately hear oral information transmitted by telephone, radio, pager, or other device with static interference or other background noise as well as in direct conversation.
• Must have sufficient manual dexterity to operate telephones, radio controls, computer terminals and other electronic communications devices.