The Air Traffic Organization has 35,000 controllers, technicians, engineers, and support personnel whose daily efforts keep aircraft safe, separated, and on time. System Operations Services leads the agency in a broad range of operational services, including all national air traffic flow management initiatives, policy and concept development for airport surface flow management programs, all national flight service functions, and operational oversight of National Airspace security issues.
Duties
The Director, System Operations Security located in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) is responsible for managing all programs related to air traffic national security and leads System Operations Services in protecting the United States and its interests from security threats involving the Air Domain. The Director leads, manages, and executes the ATOs core function regarding air domain security policy, classified operations, real-time operational security management of the National Airspace System, and collection and analysis of security data as appropriate.
The Director, System Operations Security oversees and has direct line authority over five (5) groups comprised of approximately 90 highly technical positions, including 15 senior managers responsible for managing the operational efforts to protect the United States and its interests from threats associated with the Air Domain, including the novel risks related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and other new entrants. The Director oversees and manages a budget of approximately $6.4 million.
Principal Responsibilities
- Directs ATOs use of Air Traffic Management capabilities to deter, detect, respond to, defeat, mitigate, and recover from threats, such as hostile aircraft involving the Air Domain.
- Manages sensitive and classified national defense, homeland security, and emergency operations-related missions involving the Air Domain.
- Oversees emergency operations activities to ensure that essential air navigation services are sustained during major incidents.
- Establishes policies, plans, and procedures that enable effective national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, and emergency operations efforts.
- Leads participation in internal and interagency development and implementation of Air Domain security and emergency operations policies, plans, standards, and procedures.
- Manages the National Response Framework-related efforts, including crisis management support for the agencys leadership; coordination and execution of national emergency operations; development of interagency contingency plans; and deployment of personnel to key crisis management nodes such as State Emergency Operations Centers and Federal Government Joint Field Offices.
- Leads all counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems policy, intra and interagency coordination, and maintains operational oversight of counter UAS missions for the ATO. Has operational control of special government interest UAS authorizations, ensuring critical lifesaving, law enforcement, and crisis response missions are conducted in a timely manner.
- Represents FAA in meetings, committees, groups, and forums by serving as an authority on air transportation security matters. Exercises delegated authority to make commitments on behalf of the FAA on matters directly affecting air transportation security issues.
