Airport Communications Specialist
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Under general supervision and administrative direction, is responsible to provide public safety dispatch for emergency and non-emergency events for Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) Airport Communications Center (ACC), which includes monitoring security and alarms, communicating with individuals and entities that request or require support services from Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and/or airport support services at Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ryan Airfield (RYN).
Essential Functions:
The following functions and all other functions not included in this job description are to be performed in the best interests and for the greater good of TAA.
• Support and advocate for TAA’s Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles and act as a champion and role-model of TAA’s Cultural Fundamentals.
• Act in multiple Public Safety Communication roles as Call Taker, 9-1-1 Operator, Fire Dispatcher, Police Dispatcher, Data Entry Operator, Central Station Monitor, Central Station Dispatcher, Operations Dispatcher, Maintenance Call Taker and Work Dispatcher.
• Manage emergency and non-emergency contacts, including radio and telephone communications, TAA departments, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and local agencies and other airport operators.
• Answer administrative and non-emergency telephone lines, as well as emergency calls transferred from the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and the City of Tucson.
• Query callers to determine the nature and location of the situation; extract and record essential information.
• Dispatch all emergency management communications in accordance with standard operating protocols and procedures including but not limited to, all aircraft alerts to Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and airport operations personnel; all security-related calls for service to law enforcement personnel, and all medical calls for service to EMS personnel.
• Comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations and department policies/procedures in the transmission of all radio communications.
• Monitor the activities of dispatched units; and receive and transmit updated information as it is received.
• Maintain strict compliance with all regulations governing the handling of ACJIS criminal justice data and TSA-regulated Sensitive Security Information (SSI), ensuring both are accessed, used, and shared only in accordance with established laws, policies, and need-to-know requirements.
• Retrieve and accurately relay information to the law enforcement field units.
• Enter all incident data into the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system, Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC); maintain various automated and manual logs; record and file information related to call-taking and dispatching activities; and, provide operational reports; comply with all ACJIS and NCIC regulations and requirements.
• Retrieve and accurately relay information to TAA Airside Operations, TAA Maintenance and other non-public safety units/departments.
• Manage and monitor the TAA Access Control System; monitor the TAA Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system and perform CCTV related tasks; and monitor other TAA security and fire alarm systems.
• Operate and monitor Emergency Notification System (ENS); test system; make proper notification(s) to airport management and defined user groups.
• Operate and test communications equipment in accordance with routine procedures.
• Answer the TAA main telephone line and provide airport information and paging services; provide general information and referrals for ground transportation services, airlines, and tenant contact information.
• Prepare various operational reports; perform other duties as assigned.
• Be responsive to airport emergencies and situations that may involve loss of human life or property; support public safety and operational response to emergencies; utilize Incident Management System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and procedures; coordinate and/or participate in after-action emergency de-briefing with appropriate departments and stakeholders.
The above listed functions are not necessarily all the essential functions. Job duties and functions may be expanded or reduced by management based on future changing needs and job requirements.