Communication Center Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW 

 

Reporting to and under direct supervision of the Supervisor, Communications Center, perform flight following emergency response assistance and support flight operations in and near the Gulf of America. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES 

 

Flight Following Duties 

• File PHI internal Flight Plans 

• Confirm PHI Flight Plans received via EFB 

• Correct PHI Flight Plan errors 

• Revise ETAs 

• Make changes to PHI Flight Plans, as needed 

• Verify PHI Flight Plan information, as needed 

• Close PHI Flight Plans 

• Respond appropriately to various PHI Flight Plan Alerts 

 

Emergency Response Duties 

• Perform overdue aircraft response duties 

• Respond to Maydays 

• Act to assist aircraft in IIMC conditions 

• Assist aircraft with maintenance issues, including locating suitable locations to land, as needed 

• Perform other duties as the Supervisor, Communication Center deems appropriate 

 

Flight Operations Support Duties 

• Advise pilots of converging flight paths 

• Advise pilots of reciprocal flight paths 

• Advise pilots of EOCs (Enhanced Operational Controls) 

• Advise pilots of storm and adverse weather movement, conditions and ideal routing 

• Advise pilots of NOTAMs 

• Advise pilots of fuel location status 

• Advise pilots of current weather observations 

• Advise pilots of TAF (Terminal Area Forecast) information 

• Advise pilots of PIREPs (Pilot Reports) 

• Advise pilots of Warning Area Activity 

• Advise pilots of TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) 

• Act as subject-matter expert of daily weather forecasts and current radar 

• Advise pilots of winds aloft 

• Advise pilots of wind forecasts 

• Advise management, Houston ARTCC, and other pilots of missed approaches 

• Advise pilots of location of other aircraft 

• Relay messages to/from base, scheduling, customer, managers, pilots 

• Update fuel location status, based on reports from pilots and operators 

• File Oil Spill Reports with the USCG 

• File overturned and/or distressed boat and debris reports to the USCG 

• Assist radio technicians in troubleshooting radio issues 

• Assist pilots and mechanics in troubleshooting EFB, Outerlink & IRIS equipment/programs 

• Assure two-hour checks are completed, as required 

• Obtain Green Deck for pilots 

• Relay 20- and 5- minute out calls from pilots to destinations 

• Relay special requests to/from pilots 

• Relay changes in customer needs 

• Handle pilot flight and duty requests (sign-in and sign-out) 

• Issue and cancel EOCs 

• Obtain and update weather reports 

• Handle satellite phone calls from pilots 

• File IFR flight plans with Leidos 

• Obtain and relay IFR clearances from Houston Center (ZHU) 

 

Other Communication Center Support Functions 

  Perform Communication Center Opening Duties 

• Open and maintain the Communication Center email 

• Verify and update contract information 

• Conduct Morning Radio Checks 

• Call designated AWOS and enter reports 

• Input observed EOCs from AWOS/SAWRS/PIREPs 

 

  Perform Routine Daily Functions 

• Check Warning Area scheduling 

 

  Perform all Communication Center Closing Duties 

• Complete the Flight & Duty Log 

• Clear EOCs from the day 

• Stay until all Gulf of America flights are completed, and crews have had sufficient time to sign out. 

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

• High School Diploma 

• Basic Computer Skills, including quick typing 

• Good Customer Relations skills 

• Good Critical Thinking skills 

• Ability to interact well with other employees and departments 

• Must be able to work with little or no supervision 

• Must be able to continuously multi-task 

• Must be able to make logical decisions in a high stress environment 

• Must live or commute locally, housing not provided 

• Aviation industry experience preferred 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE VALUES 

• Safe – We are absolute in our belief in the tenets of Destination Zero and that Zero is not only achievable, but the only acceptable outcome. 

• Efficient – We are focused on outcomes that are smart and responsible by making the best use of our resources to maximize overall productivity as a high performing organization. 

• Quality – We are committed to ensuring excellent organizational performance, which produces sustainable and reliable outcomes. 

• Service – We are dedicated to the service of our customers, our communities and each other. 

BEHAVORIAL COMPETENCIES 

• Drive & Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and the motivation to sustain it over time. They are ambitious and passionate about their role in the organization. They have the stamina and endurance to handle the substantial workload present in today’s organization. They are motivated to maintain a fast pace and continue to produce even in exhausting circumstances. 

• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, marketing, operations, information technologies, human resources, etc.). They add organizational value through unique expertise in a functional specialty area. They remain current in their area of expertise and serve as a resource in that area for the organization. 

• High Standards - Effective performers establish and model standards that guarantee exceptional quality and necessary attention to detail. They continually seek to improve processes and products, and they hold staff accountable for quality. They find best practices, share them, and then improve upon them. 

• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and act without being prompted. They don’t wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility and act on it. They make things happen. 

• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly. They apply ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities. They take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded. 

 

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 

• All training is provided on the job.   

• Must be able to memorize and retain a large amount of information, to include abbreviations, acronyms, and aviation phraseology (standard verbiage and jargon). 

• Training may require a 5&2, 8-hour day schedule until a time when the schedule switches to 7&7 11.5-hour days. 

• With no prior experience, training may require 2 to 3 months’ time or more, depending on the individual. 

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Understand and provide visible support of Destination Zero 

• Practice job duties with Safety at the core of all tasks 

• A job is not complete unless it is done safely 

• Stand-Up, Speak-Out, and Take-Action – Do the right thing when no one is looking, report safety concerns, near misses and incidents to management, use the Stop Work authority to immediately stop unsafe acts or work practices. 

 

DIMENSIONS 

• Work 11.5 hours daily, with a 30-minute lunch.  Shift start time varies from 5:00AM to 6:00AM in the winter and 5:00AM to 8:00AM in the summer. * 

• The schedule is seven days on and seven days off, Thursday to Wednesday. * 

*The schedule standard is subject to change 

• Operate a sit-to-stand desk containing 2 computers and 4 monitors for the duration of the duty day (15-minute breaks every 2 hours). 

• The communication center averages over 3,000 contacts daily. The workload can vary dramatically based on staffing level, weather, and other issues. 

• May be required to temporarily relocate to Galveston, TX, or another out of town location, to support relocation of communications in response to hurricane impacting Lafayette, LA.  Volunteers are selected first. 

• May be required to stay at a hotel near the Lafayette, LA facility in the event severe weather conditions is locally forecasted to close roads which may impede the ability to arrive to work if traveling from home. 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The special vision abilities for this job are close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and can be high.  Up to 10 people work in a single room with 10 phones, 20 computers, and 5 television screens.  Lighting is often set to dim levels; spot LED lights are available for use at each desk. 

AMR

DISCLAIMER

The above Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

PHI Aviation, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws