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Airfield Operations Specialists

Transportation and Material Moving (53-2022)

Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel, dispatching, using airfield landing and navigational aids, implementing airfield safety procedures, monitoring and maintaining flight records, and applying knowledge of weather information.

At a Glance

Airfield Operations Specialists earns a median of $56,750/yr with +4.2% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Attention to Detail, Dependability, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials.

Median Annual Wage

$56,750/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.2%

Annual Openings

2

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (11)

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

4.0
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.8
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.8
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.4
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.4
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.3
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.3
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3

Knowledge (10)

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

4.5
Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

4.3
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.2
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.0
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.7
Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

3.7
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.6
Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3.4
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

3.4
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.3

Abilities (15)

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.1
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.1
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.6
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.6
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.6
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.6
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.3
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.3
Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

3.3
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.3

Technology (14)

Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Oracle Database

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Linux

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5
Extensible markup language XML

Category: Enterprise application integration software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (26)

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.6
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.4
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.3
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.3
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.9
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.8
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

3.8
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.7
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.7
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.6
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.6
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.5
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.5
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.4
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.3
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.3

Work Styles (4)

Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

5.0
Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

4.3
Cautiousness

A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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