This Group focuses on improving operational safety through voluntary employee safety reporting programs for air traffic controllers, technicians, federal contract towers, and engineers. The Groups purpose is to foster a collaborative safety environment between management and labor. Duties
This position is a senior Airway Transportation System Specialist (ATSS) responsible for applying expert technical knowledge of air transportation systems, operations, and procedures to provide national-level expertise and technical support to the Technical Operations Aviation Safety Action Program (T-SAP). Uses advanced knowledge of the National Airspace System (NAS) to serve as a senior project manager and Management Representative for large, challenging work activities on the T-SAP Event Review Committees (ERC). This work is part of a positive safety culture, as well as critical to and directly impacts the safe and efficient operation of the NAS.
As a technical expert, the ATSS applies experience installing and maintaining technical operations equipment to review and analyze T-SAP reports to identify actual or potential safety problems from the information contained in the reports. Provides national leadership to T-SAP and consults with subject matter experts to propose innovative solutions for detected problems. Applies in-depth knowledge of the Safety Management System (SMS) and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) to analyze unusual aviation safety concerns, issues, and deviations from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policies and procedures. Identifies and proposes solutions to complex issues that cross all Air Traffic
Organization (ATO) operational service units.
The ATSS applies experience working with voluntary safety reporting programs or participating in other types of collaborative safety-oriented programs, to collect and analyze T-SAP data. Uses safety data taxonomy definitions to identify and enter the type of incident into the safety database. Creates and assigns database access controls. Reviews reports for completeness, redacts as appropriate, and requests additional information from the initiator when needed. Tracks and schedules new reports for review during ERC meetings. Coordinates requests for information with appropriate departments within the FAA for feedback when required or requested by the ERC. Researches and performs fact-finding on specific reports by communicating with Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPRs) to obtain more information.
Creates the agenda for ERC meetings and provides logistical support. Develops reports for the Chairperson and senior managers, which include information such as summaries of the ERC meeting activities, an overview of open events and excluded events. The ATSS provides updates on all Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and T-SAP Information Requests (TIRs) which includes monitoring, assigning, and closing requests as appropriate. Collects technical data from multiple
sources to support ERC deliberations. Ensures documents are available prior to ERC meetings and that minutes are correct and recorded. Monitors records disposition and updates the T-SAP Online database as necessary. Utilizes automated systems to create software, reports, and any follow-up fact-finding that may be necessary to allow the ERC to fully analyze reports and to obtain necessary data to make decisions on the reports. Develops innovative approaches to attain organizational objectives and optimize the use of resources. Identifies and justifies the resources needed to accomplish large work activities.
Contacts are internal and external and include senior officials throughout the FAA, Department of Transportation, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) labor organization, the aviation industry, media and general public. Represents FAA as a senior technical authority for T-SAP. Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major projects/policies/issues to senior management. Works collaboratively with the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV) and PASS to ensure success and to sustain the integrity of the program. ATSS reports directly to the Team Manager. Works independently and has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies.
