Operations Agent

About the position

The People of Southwest Airlines come together to deliver on our Purpose, which is to connect People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. Our Operations Agents carry out important tasks 'above the wing' in the airport, including finalizing details of the weight and balance of aircraft, providing an efficient and hospitable boarding experience for Customers, and coordinating with other workgroups to facilitate a flight's departure. They play a quarterback role in readying a flight for departure while providing Southwest Hospitality to both Internal and External Customers daily. Operations Agents are strong communicators who enjoy working as a part of a Team in a dynamic, safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides friendly service to and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external Customers
• Works in a cooperative spirit to ensure the success of our Company
• Responsible for providing legendary Customer Service to people boarding the aircraft by coordinating Ramp, Operations, Provisioning and servicing aircraft to ensure on-time departures and quick turnarounds and to make up time on delayed flights
• Works in airport operation office, gate area, jetways and air freight facilities. May be exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and jet and machinery noise and fumes. Opens and closes the stations, advising Dispatch of same
• Handles Station AMS and radio communications traffic as needed
• Coordinates loading and unloading of aircraft by monitoring ramp activities
• Answers station operations' telephones
• Advises Gate Agents when boarding will begin
• Prepares dispatch release forms and collects weather reports from Ops Suite for the Crew
• Arranges for fueling of aircraft as required
• Prepares weight and balance forms. Advises Dispatch, FLIFO and Stations of flight departures / arrivals
• Closes out flights; files and maintains accurate flight papers. Ascertains that aircraft are properly cleaned and provisioned prior to departure
• Coordinates special services needed on aircraft such as servicing lavatories, cabin grooming, wheelchairs for Customers and special emergency cleaning
• Operates boarding bridge, coordinates boarding and deplaning Customers
• Works with Gate Agents in expediting the check-in process, collects boarding passes and/or electronic boarding data, and verifies boarding counts
• Checks baggage, when necessary. Uses jetway stairs frequently to carry items from jetway to ramp
• Writes and submits irregularity reports as required. Checks cargo on hand to see that it is properly logged and accounted for. Checks that all board mail and Company material is dispatched and sent to indicated Stations
• Receives, refers, or makes paging calls and makes paging announcements, as appropriate. Keeps other station personnel advised of flight movements, weather conditions, and irregular operations
• Prepares statistical reports to record information from trip papers. Operates equipment for flight information display systems and updates system when operationally necessary
• Properly maintains and wears the uniform by Company regulations and presents a neat and professional appearance while on duty
• Provides friendly service to all co-workers and Customers. Performs special task or assignments as delegated by Supervisor or Station Management personnel
• Responsible for ground security and assuring operations follow security procedures
• May perform the duties of a Freight Agent. Further information can be found in the Freight Agent PAQ
• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Requirements

• Ability to work well with others as part of a team, meet the public, and work under stressful situations
• Must be GSC qualified
• Must comply with DOT drug and alcohol testing program
• Ability to read documents, follow instructions, learn and understand ramp operations procedures, rules and regulations
• Ability to type and/or use a computer keyboard with sufficient speed to meet demands of the job
• Must successfully complete Operations Agent training program with a 90% or greater average and evaluation / probationary period
• Must be aware of hazardous situations and be able to handle emergencies as needed
• Able to work under pressure and handle many functions at once with many different offices and/or groups of people
• Must work under tight time constraints to accomplish quick turns of aircraft
• Must possess good written and oral skills
• Must present a well-groomed appearance in accordance with the Ground Operations Employee Handbook and Labor Agreement
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally by telephone, face to face and public address systems
• Must be able to be alert to moving vehicles or aircraft and use radio equipment
• Must be able to communicate information and instructions verbally or via radio equipment

Nice-to-haves

• Preferred: Two years of airline/military related work experience in ramp/operations/provisioning functions
• Foreign language skills are desirable, but not required

Benefits

• Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)
• Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings
• Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit
• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets)
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.