Airspace Specialist (Correspondence)

Salary: £34,000 up to £37,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The Airspace Specialist (Correspondence) role is one of the CAA’s focal points for external correspondence relating to aviation noise complaints, queries about new and trialled airspace structures, aviation related environmental enquiries (AREE), and any related correspondence/information request received by our External Response team and/or coordinated on behalf of the Chair/CEO/GDSARG’s Offices.

Working alongside the Airspace Specialist (Correspondence and Communications), you will work to tight deadlines to develop responses to external correspondence related to airspace regulation. Working with subject matter experts when required, you will co-ordinate responses ensuring compliance with response times. You will provide advice and guidance to colleagues on responding to airspace change and aviation noise correspondence. You will also act as a representative of the Airspace Regulation team at internal CAA meetings relating to correspondence.

Core Accountabilities

Primary

• Co-ordinate external correspondence received by the Airspace Regulation team, drafting responses within set deadlines, working with subject matter experts to gather further technical information when required. Prioritising and escalating any requests for exceptions or situations with no precedent.
• Coordinate comprehensive responses to enquiries relating to aviation regulation issues and complaints in accordance with CAA/SARG processes; to answer the queries raised in a timely and empathetic manner, educate members of the public and enhance the reputation of the CAA.
• Contribute to the formulation of responses to airspace-based enquiries and provide draft responses on behalf of the CEO or Chair to enquiries from MPs or other public representatives/bodies through the CAA’s External Response (ER) process and, where appropriate, respond directly to other airspace enquiries from non-aviation stakeholders, ensuring that any additional expert input required is coordinated effectively to formulate comprehensive, timely responses.
• Ensure the provision of comprehensive responses to airspace-based enquiries through the CAA’s Aviation Related Environmental Enquiries (AREE) process; answering the enquiries raised in a timely and empathetic manner. Acting as a point of contact, providing advice and guidance to colleagues supporting the AREE correspondence function.
• Act as the Airspace Regulation point of contact for receiving and responding to aircraft related environmental complaints from the general public. This aspect of the role, in conjunction with the AREE function, is fundamental to fulfilling a statutory requirement on the CAA.
• Provide correspondence support across the Airspace Regulation team as required.
• Responsible for writing and coordinating Freedom of Information Act responses on behalf of Airspace Regulation, acting as a focal point for information requests submitted in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act / Environmental Information Regulations.
• Responsible for ongoing maintenance and development of FCS 1521 master spreadsheet and related records.
• Seek legal expertise and clarification when required. Liaise closely with the CAA’s Communications Department and Office of the General Council to co-ordinate and ensure consistency in response.
• Maintain relevant management system documents.
• Develop and maintain clear processes within the Airspace Regulation correspondence function to ensure we meet our statutory duties.
• Maintain AREE and Airspace Regulation content on CAA website.
• Routinely identify and share key themes and trends, identifying improvements and efficiencies in the correspondence function. 
• Draft inputs for AR’s contribution to ExCo and CAA Board Reports, and CEO/ Chair briefing notes.
• Represent Airspace Regulation at internal CAA meetings relating to correspondence.

Secondary

• Assist the Airspace Regulators (Engagement and Consultation) and the Airspace Specialist (Engagement and Consultation) by providing administrative and project management support to the Airspace Change Process where required.
• Provide Management Information to Manager Airspace Regulation and Principal Airspace Regulators as required to enable the most efficient use of team resource in progressing the Airspace Change Process.
• Assist the Principal Airspace Regulator (Engagement and Consultation) in providing project management support internally.
• Readiness to take responsibility for projects or issues and to be accountable for their timely delivery and quality; for example, to make improvements to develop a suite of standard responses and make enhancements to team processes and services.
• 2Maintain a good general knowledge of developments in aviation and where required assist in the formulation of UK policy in the areas for which the section is responsible.
• Undertake additional tasks as allocated by Airspace Regulation Principal (Engagement and Consultation).

Generic

• Capture and readily share safety-relevant intelligence, information and analysis from multiple internal and external sources with all CAA groups.
• Understand and apply the principles of Performance Based Regulation in accordance with the ESP linear process. To keep up to date with CAA records management policies and procedures and to amend AR practices and procedures to ensure continuing compliance.

About You

To be considered for the role you will need to have:

Essential

• Experience in a customer facing role and proven experience of responding to requests for information from members of the public.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain and present complex information in a professional and accessible manner.
• Ability to follow corporate communication brand guidelines, including tone of voice.
• Analytical with good attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• Experience of MS Office packages specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Understanding of the Data Protection Act, UK GDPR and Freedom of Information (FOI) process.
• Experience of liaising with senior staff within a large organisation.
• Ability to rapidly establish personal credibility with technical specialists and develop constructive relationships.
• A high level of commitment, reliability, and flexibility, and be an excellent team worker with sound interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work with minimum supervision and possess strong time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Experience interpreting policies and processes, knowing when there is a need to escalate requests to senior colleagues.
• Possess high organisational skills with the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplined team.
• Experience of working under pressure and balancing competing demands.
• A good general knowledge of developments in aviation.

Desirable

• Experience from within the Air Traffic Management (ATM) environment or more general aviation environment.
• A good knowledge of the CAA and UK aviation industry supported by an understanding of key legislative factors influencing and determining the CAA’s role as an airspace regulator e.g. the Civil Aviation Act, Air Navigation Order, Rules of the Air Regulations and the appropriate MAA Regulatory Publications.
• An awareness of national and international ATM regulatory bodies and their interaction.
• An awareness of the environmental impact of aviation and strategies and actions to mitigate these.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

BPSS - To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 23rd March 2026

Interview Date: 15th April 2026 (in person Aviation House – Gatwick)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.