Project Abstract:

CAMI Job Analysis

• Industry: Aviation
• Business Need: Training Needs Analysis
• Client: Federal Aviation Administration

Within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airways Transportation Systems Specialists (FG-2101) share responsibility for ensuring the safe and efficient use of the National Airspace System (NAS). Their Primary responsibilities include installing, maintaining, repairing, operating, certifying, and monitoring electronic equipment, lighting aids, communication, and data services necessary for the reliable, safe, and efficient flow of air traffic. North American Management and American Institutes for Research (AIR) conducted the selection-oriented job task analysis (JTA) described in this report to identify the specific tasks performed by job incumbents in the 2101 job series, as well as the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) necessary to successfully complete those tasks. The results of this JTA will serve as the basis for the design, development, and validation of selection procedures for hiring persons into the 2101 positions.

The job task analysis consisted of three phases. Phase I involved the development of comprehensive lists of task and KSA requirements for the 2101 positions. This involved reviewing previous job analysis reports and other written materials such as job descriptions, conducting site visits, and holding focus groups with job incumbents. The written materials permitted project staff an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the 2101 position. In addition, project staff toured two FAA facilities and met with job incumbents who described their daily work activities. Preliminary task and KSA lists were developed on the basis of information gathered from the background materials and site visits. A series of subject matter expert (SME) panels were conducted for the purpose of editing and revising these preliminary lists. Incumbents in the 2101 position served as SMEs and offered feedback on the preliminary lists in a structured, iterative review process. The finalized lists resulting from these SME panels served as the basis of the JTA survey conducted in Phase II of the project.

Phase II of the analysis involved finalizing and submitting to CAMI the task and KSA lists constructed in Phase I for use in the JTA survey. A final review panel was conducted to ensure that the task and KSA lists were as accurate as possible. Once finalized, these lists were submitted to CAMI, who created and distributed the JTA survey. Though the project team did not conduct the JTA survey itself, recommendations for survey returns were offered. Specifically, minimal sample sizes and suggestions for obtaining representative returns were submitted to CAMI and served as a means for later evaluations of the obtained survey data. CAMI then created the JTA survey and administered it to the population of 2101s.

Phase III of the JTA consisted initially of analyses of the responses obtained from the JTA survey. The representativeness of the returns was analyzed. Similarities and differences in rating patterns across groups of interest were also assessed. Based on the responses to the JTA survey, the most critical tasks and important KSAs were identified. The degree to which KSAs are required for task performance was assessed in a series of linkage panels. At these panels, job incumbents indicated whether a given knowledge, skill, or ability item is necessary to successfully complete each task item. These linkage ratings were then analyzed and the KSA profiles necessary for each critical task identified.