- This Position Has Been Filled -

Position Posting: Houston ARTCC Training Administrator


Houston Center is seeking an experienced controller with the heart of a teacher to lead our training department. You’ll develop our training program covering a wide variety of interesting airspace including modern metroplexes, military operations, TRSA, rotorcraft routes and oceanic sectors. Houston Center values a comprehensive training program, we have high standards, we expect our instructors and mentors to develop competent, friendly and professional controllers, who are dedicated to providing stellar service to our pilots. Houston’s Training Administrator must be able to advance our training curriculum, develop our training team, and nurture our healthy queue of students into the next generation of ZHU controllers!

Come join us deep in the heart of Texas!

This position reports to Houston’s Air Traffic Manager, and VATUSA3.

Key Responsibilities:

-Help newly transferred home and visiting controllers get started at ZHU.
-Oversee ZHU’s Training Department and presence at VATUSA's Academy.
     -Instructors (2 home, 1 visiting)
     -Mentors (4)
-Manage and develop our staff of Instructors and Mentors.
-Develop ZHU’s training policy, ATC Trainer / Sweatbox files and course material.
-Review, respond to, and discuss pilot feedback submissions on ZHU controllers.
-Celebrate positive pilot feedback on controllers ZHU’s discord server.
-Develop “master class” / “best practice” content for ZHU controllers.
-Partner with our Event team to ensure controllers are prepared for upcoming events.
-Provide the ARTCC with monthly updates on the state of training at ZHU.
-Represent ZHU training in VATUSA staff channels, and training related discussions.
-Ensure ZHU is following all VATSIM and VATUSA training directives.
-Maintain an active presence in ZHU’s discord, academy chat, and team speak server.
-Maintain ZHU’s controller monthly activity requirements for staff members.
-Attend periodic meetings to represent ZHU’s training program and ARTCC.

Requirements:

-Live ZHU’s values and support our culture in every interaction as a senior staff member.
-Demonstrates a high standard in controller competency, professionalism and service.
-Must have the heart of a teacher, demonstrating patience, restraint and understanding.
-Able to develop training programs that support different student learning styles.
-Must be a C1/C3 rated controller, with current or prior instructor (I1/I3) experience.
-Able to build relationships and develop partnerships with ZHU’s neighboring ARTCCs
-Able to asset our training programs strengths, weaknesses and drive progress to goals.
-Familiar with the vNAS / CRC ecosystem, and able to drive ATC Trainer adoption.
-Able to receive feedback, and make necessary corrective actions.

Preferred:

-Teaching or mentoring experience (IRL or VATSIM) desired.
-Real world controlling experience is desired, but not required.
-Familiarity with Houston Center’s airspace, SOPs, LOAs desired, but not required.
-Leadership, managerial or supervisory experience (real world or VATSIM) desired.

How to Apply:

Please note that this position requires a significant time commitment. Interested applicants shall email their application package with the subject title "ZHU TA Application Package" to [email protected] with the following:

- Full name, CID, and email address
- Resume, including any applicable real world/virtual experience
- Letter of intent explaining "Why Houston, and why this role is for you."
- Your 30/60/90 day plan to get off to a strong start at ZHU.
- Answer this question, what year was Dr. Pepper invented in Texas?
- Include any examples of training materials (if able) you’ve developed in the past.

Interview Process:

Qualified applications should expect interviews with the following people:

Ryan O’Keefe    - vZHU Air Traffic Manager
Jon Owens    - VATUSA3
Eli Whitaker   - ZHU (Retiring) Training Administrator

Thank you for your interest in joining ZHU! We look forward to chatting with you!

Ryan O’Keefe
Air Traffic Manager
vZHU ARTCC, VATUSA