Airport Communications Specialist/Dispatcher Position: Want more information about this position

K

ktsai91

Well-Known Member
To all people who work in airport ops or airport management, can anyone shed some light on this type of position? I could not find too much information on this but the position sounds like a cool job.

Does anyone know what tasks a person does in this position? Do they work in an airport operations center or airport control center? Do they work with very specialized software and computer programs? Is this an entry-level position or does a person needs experience in airport ops? Can an airport operations coordinator move up to working in an airport control center? And finally, which airports can you find these kinds of positions? Are there plenty of positions like these available or are they even more scarce than airport operations positions?

Thanks to anyone who could give me more info on this position!
 
When I was in airport ops we had something that sounds like this. I remember there being 4 positions staffed at all times, ARFF dispatch, Police dispatch, Tram monitor and one other position I can't recall, possibly one with remote access to perimeter gates.

It seemed pretty straight forward. Emergency inbound requiring the trucks/fire alarm 1234 going off, alert ARFF. Record on scene times, actions taken, time alert cleared etc for ARFF dispatch. I don't know if it was an entry level position, however Ops supervised these positions and Ops only required a degree and maybe a PPL to make a candidate highly competitive, so I'd assume these were entry level. There wasn't a direct path for promotion from these positions to Ops, but I'm certain had someone in that position bid on an Ops opening, they'd have a leg up. I was at a class B in the rust belt and imagine an airport would have to be a certain size to justify these positions vice rolling the responsibility into Ops, but what that threshold is I don't know. I do know there were fewer of them than of us in Ops.
 
genot said:
When I was in airport ops we had something that sounds like this. I remember there being 4 positions staffed at all times, ARFF dispatch, Police dispatch, Tram monitor and one other position I can't recall, possibly one with remote access to perimeter gates.

It seemed pretty straight forward. Emergency inbound requiring the trucks/fire alarm 1234 going off, alert ARFF. Record on scene times, actions taken, time alert cleared etc for ARFF dispatch. I don't know if it was an entry level position, however Ops supervised these positions and Ops only required a degree and maybe a PPL to make a candidate highly competitive, so I'd assume these were entry level. There wasn't a direct path for promotion from these positions to Ops, but I'm certain had someone in that position bid on an Ops opening, they'd have a leg up. I was at a class B in the rust belt and imagine an airport would have to be a certain size to justify these positions vice rolling the responsibility into Ops, but what that threshold is I don't know. I do know there were fewer of them than of us in Ops.
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Thanks for the description for this position genot! However, I am not asking about moving from this position to airport ops. I am asking vice versa if an airport ops person could move from airport ops to airport comm dispatching or get an airport comm dispatcher position at another airport if he or she already have some experience in airport ops at his current airport.
 
I'm certain you could. Those comms people were awesome to me, but the job was a definite downgrade from Ops where I was. Granted my airport was pretty backwards.

What's your ultimate goal? Most of my contacts from those days are gone, but I know the Ops side of the house isn't well represented here, I'd be happy to help how I can.
 
genot said:
I'm certain you could. Those comms people were awesome to me, but the job was a definite downgrade from Ops where I was. Granted my airport was pretty backwards.

What's your ultimate goal? Most of my contacts from those days are gone, but I know the Ops side of the house isn't well represented here, I'd be happy to help how I can.
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My ultimate goal is to move up the ranks to have work experiences in different types of aviation jobs, whether it be with an airline, airport or an aviation company. However my current goal is to look for an airport management/operations job at a major international airport in the Northeast. I would really like to work in airport management or airport ops at EWR since it is the closest major international airport to where I live, but I don't know anyone who works in airport management or ops at EWR. Would you know by any chance?
 
These jobs are everywhere if you know where to look. I don't know anyone in EWR, but after striking out on AAAE's website I googled EWR airport jobs and found this fresh job posting list https://pastaff.panynj.gov/psc/applicant/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL New opening today, airport ops with the port authority. Requirements are a Bachelor's in aviation or a diploma and one year experience in aviation.

Ops was hands down the most fun job I've ever had.
 
genot said:
These jobs are everywhere if you know where to look. I don't know anyone in EWR, but after striking out on AAAE's website I googled EWR airport jobs and found this fresh job posting list https://pastaff.panynj.gov/psc/applicant/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL New opening today, airport ops with the port authority. Requirements are a Bachelor's in aviation or a diploma and one year experience in aviation.

Ops was hands down the most fun job I've ever had.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link genot! I discovered this job posting just now. I will definitely apply!
 
I sincerely hope it pans out. If you need help with the KSA's feel free to PM me. Especially the ATC ones. My part 139 knowledge is lacking these days.
 
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