job description for the nextgen mid-term atct controller - FAA Human ...

and efficiently, they more effectively manage their resources. This is an important job
responsibility and it is covered in the next Activity.
Current ATCT Activity 10: Manage Resources
ATCT line controllers are responsible for ensuring that the levels of performance at their
positions are maintained to a consistently high standard. To do this, they must identify and
respond to threats to their personal and position resources, such as overload situations.
First and foremost, ATCT line controllers must evaluate whether they are fit for duty. If not,
they must notify their supervisor, even if they can continue to work in a limited capacity. After
they are on position, controllers must remain in constant communication with other controllers
and supervisors to recognize when traffic reaches overload or saturation levels. These conditions
limit the effectiveness of the work environment as a whole. During these high workload periods,
voice frequencies can become dangerously congested and important safety rules can be violated
as a result. Traffic managers and supervisors work with line controllers to implement an
effective reduction strategy. Identifying and implementing these strategies are key Tasks of the
controller’s job.
Controllers must work as members of a highly functioning team. It is critical for controllers to
maintain an overall tower awareness to provide assistance to fellow controllers if necessary. To
achieve this awareness, controllers monitor nearby positions. Controllers must also remain
proficient at the job by performing recurrent training exercises and adhering to safety standards
requirements.
Because the flow of traffic varies, it is important for ATCT line controllers to achieve and
maintain balance in their workload and in their work environment. This is done to manage and
mitigate the potential errors that could occur during periods of heavy or complex traffic when
controllers are stretched to the limit of their performance capabilities.
Current ATCT Activity 11: Respond to Emergencies and Unusual Situations
Although redundancy is built into the systems in use by today’s ATCT controllers, there is still
the potential for unplanned outages and loss of functionality or service degradation. Because the
consequences of these types of failures include the potential for loss of life, ATCT line
controllers must be able to continue to provide control services to aircraft that are in their
airspace at all times even if a problem or an unexpected situation occurs.
Controllers must be well trained and proficient at executing several different contingency
scenarios. First, controllers must detect failures and respond to alarms. They must then forward
the notice of failure to supervisors and maintenance technicians and immediately implement
appropriate backup procedure(s). If a data input failure is detected, controllers must receive and
forward data manually. If there is a display failure, controllers must receive notice of and verify
all computer actions during the transition from automated to manual stages. For the Host
computer system (i.e., Host and Oceanic Computers System Replacement or HOCSR) failures,
controllers must revert to ARTS stand-alone mode and manual writing of flight progress strip
information. Controllers must also revert to nonradar procedures for sensor or tracking failures.
Finally, if a communication failure is detected, controllers must switch to a backup radio or
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