Ops (Duty Post)

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The Ops department insignia

The Operations Duty Post has the primary responsibility of ensuring that ship functions do not interfere with one another. They must prioritize resource allocations (including physical resources like phasers, technical resources like energy, and personnel resources like Away Teams) so that the most critical activities can have every chance of success. They can curtail any shipboard functions if they think they will interfere with the ship's current mission or routine operations.

Personnel in this role are called the "Operations Manager," "Ops Officer," or "Chief of Operations." Typically, Ops is manned by a member of the command staff of a starship, regardless of seniority. On the USS Enterprise-D, Ops Manager Data (who doubled as second officer) was the most senior member of the ship's staff save the captain and XO, but on USS Voyager, Ops Manager Harry Kim was the most junior bridge officer. As analytical operations relied upon knowledge of science and engineering disciplines, operations managers sometimes performed the additional duties of a science officer, as exemplified by both Lieutenant Commander Data and Ensign Harry Kim. On space stations, the chief of operations usually commands the maintenance and engineering staff, since stations do not require the large number of propulsion engineers typically found working under the command of a chief engineer on a starship. Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien was a senior chief petty officer who filled this billet on Deep Space 9.

Role of Communications

Before the advent of the universal translator, a communications officer who was well versed in the universal rules of language was a staple aboard any starship. With the implementation of the universal translator, the communication officer's role became more narrowly focused on calibrating the complex software which handled translation. As the translator became more integrated and automated, this position was phased out, and the role of handling communications began to be handled by either the Tactical office, or the Operations officer. As a ship may require either of these officers to handle this specific role, it is important that the Operations officer be well versed in communications protocols.

Specific duties

Aboard Starfleet vessels the Operations Officer is in charge of sensors, environmental systems and hangar deck operations. This duty assignment is tasked with conducting all forms of sensor sweeps including planetary reconnaissance scans. The Ops Officer often must coordinate directly with the Chief Engineer to ensure that all of her systems are maintained at optimal performance. When no engineer is on the bridge, the Operations Officer sees to any engineering matters that may arise. Although the transporter systems are Engineering Department assets, it is the Operations Department that puts them to use. In regards to special environmental conditions required for alien crewmembers or visitors, the Operations Officer must coordinates with the ship's Chief Medical Officer. The Ops Department head position is in charge of the recreation areas of the ship as well, such as the various recreation rooms, gymnasiums and holodecks. The Ops Officer will also work very closely with the ship's Conn Officer with respect to the use of the ships shuttle bays, since the Conn Officer is responsible for flying the shuttles and training shuttle pilots.

Essentially, the Operations Department monitors and controls the use of all ship systems not ostensibly involved with propulsion, navigation, or combat.

See also

• The operations station of an Intrepid Class vessel.