Airport Operations Dispatcher

City of Pensacola • Pensacola, FL

10h • Onsite

About The Position

An employee in this class is responsible for coordinating airport operational activities and requests for service to include emergencies through a centralized communications center by obtaining information, classifying its content, and disseminating to the correct personnel. Position will provide additional support in recordkeeping, security audits, fingerprinting, and Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge issuance while monitoring automated facility systems. The employee must be able to work rotating or permanent shifts and available for occasional call-outs, including weekends and holidays. Position is categorized as essential which requires responding to and/or working during emergency conditions at the airport.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of responsible clerical experience, one (1) year of which must include public contact experience transmitting information and/or dispatching equipment and personnel using a radio or similar communication equipment.
• Possession of an appropriate driver license for equipment operated and any license, training or certification required by law or regulation to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be able to meet and maintain requirements of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security clearance.
• Knowledge of computer systems and proficiency in operating programs.
• Thorough knowledge of the Airport personnel functions, procedures, policies, and regulations.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely to present explanatory or interpretive information.
• Skill in establishing effective working relationships with other employees and organizations.
• Skill in recognizing non-standardized situations and preparing recommendations for problem resolution.
• Ability to transcribe information from verbal communication and determine correct courses of action based upon pre-established procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interpret, and enter data into a computer terminal with accuracy and speed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the general public.
• Ability to perform multiple duties simultaneously including the monitoring of security and surveillance systems.
• Ability to prioritize and classify multiple requests for service calls.
• Ability to operate multiple communications equipment ensuring that radio transmissions are clear, concise, correct, well thought out.
• Ability necessary to assess situations, elicit pertinent information and make timely, accurate decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Ability to be professional, congenial, and friendly during public interactions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in public safety, airport, or similar technical environment is preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Operates within the Airport Operations Center (AOC) to make critical, time-sensitive decisions guided by established protocols, FAA regulations, and safety training.
• Serves as the primary communications link for airport personnel, utilizing multi-channel radio frequencies to dispatch resources, assign tasks, and document field activities. These include declared emergencies, police calls and medical emergencies.
• Monitors the integrated Access Control and Alarm Monitoring System (ACAMS) to ensure the integrity of restricted and secure areas (SIDA/Sterile).
• Maintains situational awareness CCTV.
• Conducts rapid forensic video reviews to identify security breaches, safety incidents, or criminal activity.
• Facilitates accurate information exchange between the general public, emergency responders, airport tenants, and aeronautical stakeholders to ensure operational safety.
• Manages real-time data entry and incident logging from initiation to resolution, ensuring a comprehensive audit trail for all airport emergencies and service requests.
• Manages real-time aircraft gate assignments using specialized dispatch software, applying technical knowledge of aircraft specifications to optimize arrival flow.
• Maintains detailed records, including call logs, maintenance work orders, and critical aviation reports such as NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) and PPR (Prior Permission Required) requests.
• Ensures all actions and communications align with TSA security directives and FAA Part 139 safety standards to maintain the airport's operating certificate.
• This role requires the ability to operate effectively both as a solo practitioner (managing all systems and communications independently) and as a collaborative team member (partitioning tasks and coordinating with a partner).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.
• Employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED