Air Traffic Controllers
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Sample of reported job titles:
Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS), Air Traffic Controller (ATC), Center Air Traffic Controller (Center ATC), Certified Professional Controller (CPC), Control Tower Operator, Enroute Air Traffic Controller (Enroute ATC), Radar Air Traffic Controller, Terminal Air Traffic Control Specialist (Terminal ATC Specialist), Tower Air Traffic Controller (Tower ATC)
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software:Microsoft Access
- Document management software:Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Electronic mail software:Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software:Enterprise resource planning ERP software,SAP business and customer relations management software
- Expert system software:Advanced technologies and oceanic procedures ATOP,Automated radar terminal systems ARTS,Center TRACON automation systems CTAS
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Detailed Work Activities
- Adjust routes or speeds as necessary.
- Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
- Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- Compile operational data.
- Coordinate flight control or management activities.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:97% responded"Every day"
- Frequency of Decision Making:96% responded"Every day"
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate:88% responded"Extremely important"
- Contact With Others:87% responded"Constant contact with others"
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results:87% responded"Very important results"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making:Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Knowledge
- Transportation:Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Public Safety and Security:Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 36%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 21%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 20%Bachelor's Degree
- 14%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Selective Attention:The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Interests
- Enterprising:Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Stress Tolerance:Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Persistence:Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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