Operational Specialist FAA Command Center

Overview

Employment Type:

Permanent;
Contract Duration:

Why you will love working here

At IATA, we represent over 350 airlines worldwide, striving to make aviation safer, smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive.

• Our Values are not just words on a page - they are the energy behind everything we do:
  ONE IATA - We collaborate across teams,
  TRUSTED - We do the right thing,
  INNOVATIVE - We make tomorrow better,
  INCLUSIVE - We embrace diverse perspectives.
• With over 30,000 courses available, we believe in continuous learning and support your growth in an ever-changing industry.
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion are our priorities. We are certified by the Equal Salary Foundation, offering equal pay and family-friendly policies.
• We encourage community involvement through volunteering and strive to make tomorrow better for aviation and our communities. We offer time off so you can support causes important to you.
• We promote work-life balance with flexible work options, including remote and hybrid work, a generous  work from abroad  policy, and you get your birthday off!

Reporting to the Head of the IATA/FAA Liaison Desk, the successful candidate will support and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Liaison Desk. This role serves as a primary interface with international and domestic Airline Operations Control Centers (AOCCs), airport authorities, and the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), working closely with FAA management and staff, other FAA lines of business and international Air Navigation Service Providers.

The position collaborates across stakeholders to identify, coordinate, and support the implementation of effective operational solutions, ensuring the continued safety, efficiency, and integrity of the National Airspace System (NAS), and surrounding Flight Information Regions.

• Monitor, assess, and anticipate airspace constraints and operational disruptions to ensure timely notification and continuous operational support to member airlines in a fast-paced aviation environment.
• Participate in daily FAA ATCSCC Telcons, Event Reviews and National System Reviews (NSR).
• Engage in Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) activities and subsequent decision-making air traffic forums while representing IATA and its member airlines.
• Advocate for members’ operational needs and priorities to FAA management to provide improved operational results.
• Proactively assess global airspace constraints, provide daily reports, distribute targeted notifications, and employ pre-emptive ATC coordination to enhance stakeholder situational awareness.
• Analyze operations to identify safety and efficiency gaps, enabling corrective actions and cost reduction initiatives.
• Champion priority handling and special flight requests by proactively interacting with FAA and surrounding international Airspace Navigation Service Provider (ANSPs) management staff, tower controllers, facility specialists, traffic management officers, and airport managers to mitigate operational delays and prevent flight cancellations.
• Utilize several software platforms including and not limited to Microsoft 360, FAA TFMS applications, online aviation weather and flight planning resources.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Head of the IATA/FAA Liaison Desk.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Working knowledge of airline operations and air traffic management system operations.
• FAA Flight Dispatcher certification and/or air traffic control experience preferred.
• Minimum two years’ experience in airline / aviation operations; FAA Part 129 international operations experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret essential flight safety information, such as TAFs, METARs, and NOTAMs, with a practical understanding of meteorological impacts on flight operations.
• Proven ability to advocate on behalf of customers, coordinate across stakeholders using strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and provide a high level of customer service.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly convey operationally relevant information.
• Spanish language proficiency is advantageous.
• Air Traffic Control experience in civil or military environments is a plus. Ability to work a rotating schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments.
• This is not a remote position. The successful candidate will be expected to live in or relocate to the surrounding area upon acceptance of the offer.
• U.S. Citizenship and a successful U.S. Federal Security and background check is required.

Travel Required:

N

Learn more about IATA’s role in the industry, our benefits, and the team at IATA careers. We are looking forward to hearing from you!