Greetings all!

Please join me in congratulating Jacob Boyles for being named ZME's newest Webmaster. Jacob has been a Senior VATSIM Developer for almost three years and has been part of some crucial network wide projects. Additionally, he has a multitude of real world experience that gives us NO DOUBT that he will do a fantastic job.

Thank you to Garen Evans for being ZME's Webmaster for just over Two years! I hope you enjoy your retirement!

Woahhhh, welcome back, Jon! Congrats!

The Memphis ARTCC (ZME) is seeking a qualified, professional, and motivated individual to fulfill the role of Training Administrator (TA) to develop and maintain the ZME training department. Applicants should note that this position requires a significant time commitment and only those who understand those requirements should consider applying.

Application Period
This posting will expire on 11/26/2022 @ 2359z

Key Responsibilities

- Oversees, develops and manages the ZME training program.
- Reports to the ZME Air Traffic Manager (ATM) and VATUSA Training Director (VATUSA3).
- Develops and hires effective Instructors (I1) and Mentors as needed for ZME training requirements.
- Develops scenario files using situation editor for usage in TWR Trainer and ES.
- Administers Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Examinations on Sweatbox or the live VATSIM network.
- Effectively trains and evaluate students for purposes of ATC ratings progression.
- Maintains controller and student quality by adhering to VATSIM, VATUSA, and local standards.
- Develops ZME training policy and procedure.
- Other duties as assigned by the ZME ATM.

Minimum Requirements

- Have held a rating of I1 or I3 for at least 6 consecutive months prior to application date.
- Have no significant disciplinary history in the previous 12 months.
- Be capable of working well in a team-oriented environment.
- Strong knowledge of Air Traffic Control systems and airspace.
- Strong knowledge of FAA JO 7110.65 and supplemental publications.
- Strong understanding of network wide policy (GRP) and divisional training policy.
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to create professional, well written documents for purposes of publication.

Preferred Qualifications

- Supervisory, training, or management experience within VATSIM or real-world experience.
- Previous or current ARTCC staff experience.
- Experience in creating, testing, and publishing scenario files for purposes of student progression.

Applications must include
1.   Name, active email address, and CID
2.   Letter of Intent
3.   Resume

What to expect

Interested candidates should be aware that this is not an entry-level position and not for the inexperienced. The workload is considerable (4+ hours a week, in addition to facility activity requirements) and should not be taken lightly. Only those who understand the requirements and can make the appropriate commitment should consider applying. Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview. All candidates who apply and who meet the minimum requirements can expect to be interviewed for this posting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How to apply

Submit the required information above to the ZME ATM & DATM at [email protected] and [email protected]   

After a highly competitive application period, I'm happy to announce that Oliver Thomas will serve as ZME's next Deputy Air Traffic Manager. Oliver comes with bright ideas, ambitions, and goals for not only the facility but also his personal development as he transitions into his new role. Both VATUSA and I am excited to see what he can bring to our structure at Memphis!


Congratulations, OliverOliver - I hardly know 'erThe opportunity was there and I took it, okay!?

The Memphis ARTCC (ZME) is seeking a qualified, professional, and motivated individual that possesses a high degree of energy and commitment to serve as the Deputy Air Traffic Manager. Applicants should note that this position requires a significant time commitment.

Deadline
This posting will expire on 9/17/2022 at 2359z. Late applications will not be considered.


Key Responsibilities
•   Reports to the ATM
•   Front-Line Manager to the Facilities, Events, and Technical (Web) departments
•   Monitors the day-to-day activities of the ARTCC
•   Assists in the development and execution of ARTCC projects
•   Maintains an online presence on the VATSIM server
•   Functions as ARTCC senior staff member. Attends periodic meetings to report on ARTCC activities
•   Assists in coordination of position assignments and position restrictions when necessary
•   Assumes the duties of the ATM when he/she is unavailable
•   Any other duty assigned by the ATM

Minimum Requirements
•   Currently hold a rating of Controller (C1) or higher for at least 90 days prior to application date
•   Works well in a team-oriented environment
•   Demonstrates excellent leadership skills
•   Be an active member of the VATSIM network in good standing with no significant disciplinary history in the last 12 months
•   Strong knowledge of the U.S. Airspace and Air Traffic Control systems & procedures
•   Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications
•   Previous or current ARTCC staff experience
•   Have held a rating of I1 for at least 90 days at any given time prior to application date
•   Supervisory or management experience in virtual or real world
•   Proven ability to lead a team of individuals through change to support overall ARTCC goals


Applications must include
1.    Name, active email address, and CID
2.    Letter of intent
3.    Resume (please include any applicable VATSIM and/or IRL experience)

What to expect
This position demands a considerable amount of time (on and off the network) every week. Only those candidates who understand the requirements and can make the appropriate commitment should apply. Candidates can expect an initial evaluation of their application after which they may be contacted for a comprehensive interview. All candidates who apply and who meet the minimum requirements can expect to be interviewed for this posting. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.


How to apply
Submit the required information above to the ZME ATM at [email protected]

Thanks everyone! Glad to be back. 

Point 2 is beyond the scope of this Division update.  I don't want to shut down that discussion, I just don't want it to override the purpose of this post.

Regarding the ARTCC ranking:  This information is readily available to anyone that wants it on the various VATSIM statistic sites.  I simply compiled the data by ARTCC.  One of the purposes of VATUSA is to simulate the vNAS --a system that is available 24 hours a day.  Many talk about the want of realism in the forums and Discord on a regular basis.  Sending a pilot to UNICOM because controlled airspace is uncovered technically is not realistic.  I value competent coverage.  Notice I did not put the actual ARTCC uptimes in my post.  For all anyone knows, the range between 1 - 21 could be a matter of minutes or it could be a very wide range. 

Yes, this is a volunteer hobby.  If you have a staff position; however, you volunteered for a non paid job.  Just because you are not getting paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and expectations.

I am personally judging my success based on:

• Membership growth - The growth comes from OBS
• New member retention - What are we doing to increase training bandwidth?
• Increase in controller hours during non-event times - I value competent coverage day in and day out.
• Increasing C1 retention - The Command Center, Web Services Team, Social Media Team are non staff avenues C1 rated controllers can take advantage of to expand the hobby.
  
• Successfully developing a pilot community - Yes, pilots are our customers.  Pilots have several online and offline choices to engage in flight simulation.  Online controllers need pilots to practice their skills.
• Building a unified team of managers who are willing to champion the above.

Mani,

Point 2 directly impacts your division update in regards to uptime, whether you want to believe it or not.

"One of the purposes of VATUSA is to simulate the vNAS --a system that is available 24 hours a day."    -- Do you honestly think that any facility is going to staff 24 hours a day for again, pilots that can barely fly a heading, maintain an altitude? Again, you need to address the issues as to WHY ARTCCs don't have higher uptimes, which pilot competency DIRECTLY affects.


"For all anyone knows, the range between 1 - 21 could be a matter of minutes or it could be a very wide range."  -- Irrelevant. You presented the data in a ranked way, period. The difference between each ARTCCs uptime doesn't matter. Next time, maybe display the data as "VATUSA uptime for the past xxxx timeframe is". 

"Yes, this is a volunteer hobby.  If you have a staff position; however, you volunteered for a non paid job.  Just because you are not getting paid doesn't mean you don't have standards and expectations."  - No one is refuting that. We know what we signed up for. The problem lies within the shadows of RMs telling ARTCCs they need to do better, despite the fact that controlling on this network is more hassle than fun. Again, this is due large in part by incompetent pilots. Y'all don't care as to why, you're just trying to get numbers to look good on a spreadsheet. Enough with that. You're doing more harm than good.

"Increasing C1 retention - The Command Center, Web Services Team, Social Media Team are non staff avenues C1 rated controllers can take advantage of to expand the hobby."  -- C1 retention will not be solved by offering shiny new badges and responsibility. You are ignoring the issues at hand. You should be doing more with VATSIM to come up with solutions with regard to pilot competency, not hounding the people that actually control on a day-to-day basis to do better.

"New member retention - What are we doing to increase training bandwidth?" -- New member retention is not just measurable by training. Culture is another example of what affects member retention, do better.

"Successfully developing a pilot community - Yes, pilots are our customers.  Pilots have several online and offline choices to engage in flight simulation.  Online controllers need pilots to practice their skills."  -- I thought this was beyond the scope of the update?

"In my post, I didn't advise any facilities to staff more.  I didn't assign any value judgement on an ARTCC's performance.  I was recognizing facilities that have high uptime.  If you are on an ARTCC's staff and are not satisfied with your uptime, what can you do to increase it?  Marketing? Events? Partnering with an ATO?  Nolan is brainstorming.  More ideas are welcome.  You can brainstorm in regions with your region manager if you would like, or a staff member can organize a group to brainstorm." -- You didn't advise any ARTCCs to staff more, but your RMs are. They were hired by you to instill your vision. If they're going against your vision, or distributing other information contrary to yours, what help is that doing? Time to clean house if you ask me, remember "Not in line with my vision" is a reason for termination!

I challenge VATUSA to do better by: 1) Listening to the underlying issues, and working with VATSIM to attempt to solve such issue. 2) Not hounding the very volunteers that do what they can day-to-day to actually keep VATUSA moving. 3) Not contradicting yourself in statements made by you, your RMs, etc.

All this is doing, is adding to the pile of reasons as to why more and more long-dedicated members are leaving the division, specifically regarding controllers. Don't ignore the underlying issues.