Mentor Selection & Mentor Responsibilities Policy

POC: Facility Advisory Board	Date: 2004-12-02
Code: ZLA-006	Version: 2.10

1. PURPOSE.

This Policy establishes criteria for Mentor Selection & Mentor Responsibilities in the Los Angeles ARTCC.

2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for this Policy is the ZLA Facility Advisory Board. This Policy was originally drafted by Marc Sykes, ZLA Facility Chief, on December 12, 2003 , and approved by Ian Elchitz, VATUSA Western Regional Director. This Policy shall be maintained, revised, updated or cancelled by the ZLA Facility Advisory Board or any organization that supersedes, replaces or assumes the FAB responsibilities. Any suggestions for modification/amendment to this Policy should be sent to the FAB for review.

3. DISTRIBUTION.

This Policy governs the selection of individuals seeking entry into the Los Angeles ARTCC Mentor Program and the responsibilities of Mentors once appointed.

4. BACKGROUND.

Mentors are those controllers who express an interest in volunteering their time primarily to provide initial training and orientation to Student (S-1) controllers. Secondarily, they augment the Instructor Staff in providing supplemental training to Senior Student (S-3) and Controller (C-1) grade controllers seeking promotion within the Los Angeles ARTCC.

5. REQUIREMENTS.

(a) The following rules shall apply to individuals requesting Mentor status:

1. The Training Administrator will be responsible for administration of the Mentor Program.
   
2. Each applicant will be presented to the FAB for discussion and comments.
   
3. The applicant must receive a recommendation from the Air Traffic Manager, Deputy Air Traffic Manger, or Training Administrator after an informal online examination to determine suitability.
   
4. The applicant must be in compliance with all Los Angeles ARTCC and VATSIM/VATUSA Policies and Procedures.
   
5. The applicant must hold the grade of Senior Student (S-3) or above to be considered. No mentor may provide training at a position at which he or she is not normally authorized to control.
   
6. The applicant must display a willingness to instruct others in the implementation of standard operating procedures, and utilization of all appropriate training material.
   
7. The applicant must display the necessary aptitude and ability to control at a level consistent with the position for which the Mentor is making application.
   
8. The applicant must display the temperament and maturity required to mentor properly.
   
9. The applicant must display a willingness to make himself/herself available for 2 mentoring sessions per month.

(b) The following rules shall apply to all ZLA Mentors:

1. Each new Mentor shall submit to the Training Administrator the ASRC or VRC chat logs between themselves and their Student, and the radio communications chat log for the first 5 sessions after their appointment. ZLA is committed to uniformity in its Training Program. We know how hard it is to make the transition from “learner” to “teacher” and with the chat logs we will be able to better assist the new Mentor with the transition.
   
2. Mentors are expected to make themselves available for 2 sessions per month to be considered Active. The activity rule may be waived by the Air Traffic Manager, Deputy Air Traffic Manager, or Training Administrator at their discretion.
   
3. Each Mentor shall log his/her sessions by submitting a Training Note using ZLA’s automated system at the conclusion of each session.
   
4. The Mentor rating will be limited to a six-month period, after which it must be renewed by submitting, at the request of the Training Administrator, 1 session chat log as specified in Section 6-b-1.
   
5. The Mentor rating can be suspended or revoked at any time by the Air Traffic Manager, Deputy Air Traffic Manager, or Training Administrator.