VATUSA Position Vacancy Announcement

Position: Air Traffic Manager
Location: Houston ARTCC (ZHU)
Time Commitment: 4 to 8 hours per week+, and required monthly controller hours to maintain ARTCC membership
Supervisor: Southern Region Air Traffic Director (ATD)
Application Deadline: Closes August 23rd, 2019 at 23:59z

VATUSA is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Air Traffic Manager at the Houston ARTCC.  This position is not an entry-level position and will require significant time commitments to effectively perform the duties of Air Traffic Manager.

Duties of the ATM:

- Reports to the Southern Region Air Traffic Director and directs the operations and management of the assigned facility
- Must maintain an online presence on the VATSIM network
- Maintains facility website and teamspeak
- Drafts ARTCC SOPs, LOAs and other appropriate documents; seeks ATD approval for the same
- Ensures ARTCC SOPs, LOAs and other appropriate documents are readily available for viewing/download
- Functions as VATUSA staff member and attends meetings as necessary to discuss and stay current with region and division issues, policies, and initiatives
- Manages and defines the duties of ARTCC staff; submits selection of Deputy ATM and Webmaster to the ATD for division confirmation; submits selection of Training Administrator to the Training Director for division confirmation
- Provides guidance and help to assigned controllers; may establish a staff of "Mentors" to assist with training
- Works with or delegates a liaison to work with region/division-level Events Coordinators on events as necessary
- Addresses disciplinary situations with the Southern Region ATD when appropriate

Minimum Requirements:

- Possess a high degree of energy and commitment appropriate to the requirements of the position
- Must have at least a Controller (C1) rating
- Must be an active member of the network in good standing
- Must be able to work in a team environment and function as a team member
- Have no significant disciplinary record, no history of unprofessional behavior

Highly Desired Skills:

- Demonstrates qualities of understanding, patience, and maturity.
- Understands the role of the ARTCC and ARTCC staff within the Southern Region, VATUSA, and VATNA
- Understands the position requires CONSIDERABLE commitment of time
- Prior ARTCC staff experience
- Prior or current Instructor or Mentor experience
- Experience effectively managing others through good leadership practices
- Real world management experience

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 qualified candidates will be reviewed and considered.  Qualified candidates currently assigned to the ARTCC will be given special consideration.

Applications should include:

- Name, active email address, and CID
- Resume (including any applicable real-world management experience).
- Letter of Intent / Cover-letter.

To Apply:
Submit the required information above to [email protected] no later than August 23, 2019 23:59Z.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

I'm personally not a huge fan of visiting controller agreements, in their present form, for the same reasons mentioned in this thread.  I feel that applying to visit the old fashioned way provides more structure and overall accountability.  That said, the purpose behind these agreements, as Nolan so graciously pointed out, is to remove unnecessary barriers to visiting other ARTCCs.  And while it's easy to sit back and criticize the ATMs buying into these visiting agreements, what most people don't realize is that at one time there actually were a handful of facilities who made it almost impossible to be a visitor (especially if they didn't like you), which contradicts the GRP. So you have a few managers who have come together in support of your division director's vision, and went a step further by agreeing to allow mutual visitation for the members.

Another motive behind the early talks of visiting agreements (in the southern region) was to put ARTCC leadership worries at ease.  By becoming familiar with your neighbors' training programs and agreeing to some sort of a training standard, the thought was that ZXX and ZYY would agree to a training standard, thus assuming all controllers were trained to that standard and capable of being a quality visitor with little delay/overhead.  In theory, that provided a handful of benefits to both the member and leadership, but it ended up falling through.  And with the division about to roll out with a new training policy, it doesn't seem this is needed now.

Remember, this is all dynamic and under periodic review.  I ask my ATMs to schedule reviews and discussions on their visiting agreements periodically to ensure we're doing what's best for the members, while still working to preserve the integrity and quality of VATUSA ATC, all while working to align with the director's vision for USA.

Please join me in welcoming Meg Bruck as she takes her new role as Atlanta's next ATM.  Meg has been instrumental in leading the ARTCC through many changes and has faithfully served the ZTL membership as a staff member since January 2017, most recently as DATM. 

Meg will be taking the reigns effective December 1st, and I look forward to seeing where the ARTCC goes under her direction and leadership!

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Luke Kakert for his dedication to Atlanta.  His retirement as ZTL ATM wraps up 19 months of service to the ZTL community which began with his time as Training Administrator.  So Luke, on behalf of the division, thanks for everything you've done, the time you've invested, and the community you helped to build.  Good luck in your future endeavors!

VATUSA Position Vacancy Announcement

Position: Air Traffic Manager
Location: Atlanta ARTCC (ZTL)
Time Commitment: 4 to 8 hours per week+, and required monthly controller hours to maintain ARTCC membership
Supervisor: Southern Region Air Traffic Director (ATD)
Application Deadline: Closes November 2nd, 2018 at 23:59z

VATUSA is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Air Traffic Manager at the Atlanta ARTCC.  This position is not an entry-level position and will require significant time commitments to effectively perform the duties of Air Traffic Manager.

Duties of the ATM:

- Reports to the Southern Region Air Traffic Director and directs the operations and management of the assigned facility
- Must maintain an online presence on the VATSIM network
- Maintains facility website and teamspeak
- Drafts ARTCC SOPs, LOAs and other appropriate documents; seeks ATD approval for the same
- Ensures ARTCC SOPs, LOAs and other appropriate documents are readily available for viewing/download
- Functions as VATUSA staff member and attends meetings as necessary to discuss and stay current with region and division issues, policies, and initiatives
- Manages and defines the duties of ARTCC staff; submits selection of Deputy ATM and Webmaster to the ATD for final approval; submits selection of Training Administrator to the ATD and Training Director for final approval
- Provides guidance and help to assigned controllers; may establish a staff of "Mentors" to assist with training
- Works with or delegates a liaison to work with region/division-level Events Coordinators on events as necessary
- Addresses disciplinary situations with the Southern Region ATD when appropriate

Minimum Requirements:

- Possess a high degree of energy and commitment appropriate to the requirements of the position
- Must have at least a Controller (C1) rating
- Must be an active member of the network in good standing
- Must be able to work in a team environment and function as a team member
- Have no significant disciplinary record, no history of unprofessional behavior

Highly Desired Skills:

- Demonstrates qualities of understanding, patience, and maturity.
- Understands the role of the ARTCC and ARTCC staff within the Southern Region, VATUSA, and VATNA
- Understands the position requires CONSIDERABLE commitment of time
- Prior ARTCC staff experience
- Prior or current Instructor or Mentor experience
- Experience effectively managing others through good leadership practices
- Real world management experience

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 qualified candidates will be reviewed and considered.  Qualified candidates currently assigned to the ARTCC will be given special consideration.

Applications should include:

- Name, active email address, and CID
- Resume (including any applicable real-world management experience).
- Letter of Intent / Cover-letter.

To Apply:
Submit the required information above to [email protected] no later than November 2, 2018 23:59Z.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Congrats Matthew!

Nice, congrats Ian!

Congrats Ryan, well deserved!

Thanks Joe for your years of service!  Leszek, congratulations and good luck in your new role!