On the bridge of a starship, the Ops station allowed the Ops officer to manage the allocation of resources (including power) to the various systems, departments, and personnel aboard ship. Since there were so many things going on aboard even a small starship, the conflicting needs for resources had to be resolved quickly to avoid disrupting the conduct of anyone’s duties. At the Ops station, the Ops officer could quickly and easily handle complicated scheduling and resource allocation issues (routine matters are managed automatically by the computer).

Operations Department Position Descriptions

Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer has the primary responsibility of ensuring that ship functions, such as the use of the lateral sensor array, do not interfere with one and another. S/he must prioritize resource allocations, so that the most critical activities can have every chance of success. If so required, s/he can curtail shipboard functions if s/he thinks they will interfere with the ship's current mission or routine operations. The Chief Operations Officer is a Department head, and a member of the Senior Staff.

Assistant Chief Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer cannot man the bridge at all times. Extra personnel are needed to relive and maintain ship operations. The Operations Officers are thus assistants to the Chief, fulfilling his/her duties when required, and assuming the Operations consoles if required at any time. The Assistant Chief Operations Officer is the second-in-command of the Operations Department, and can assume the role of Chief Operations Officer on a temporary or permanent basis if so needed.

Operations Officer

The Chief Operations Officer cannot man the bridge at all times. Extra personnel are needed to relive and maintain ship operations. The Operations Officers are thus assistants to the Chief, fulfilling his/her duties when required, and assuming the Operations consoles if required at any time. The Operations Officer reports to the Chief Operations Officer.

Boatswain

Each vessel and base has one Warrant Officer (or Chief Warrant Officer) who holds the position of Boatswain. The Boatswain (pronounced and also written "Bosun" or "Bos'n") trains and supervises personnel (including both the ship's company or base personnel as well as passengers or vessels) in general ship and base operations, repairs, and protocols; maintains duty assignments for all Operations personnel; sets the agenda for instruction in general ship and base operations; supervises auxiliary and utility service personnel and daily ship or base maintenance; coordinates all personnel cross-trained in damage control operations and supervises damage control and emergency operations; may assume any Bridge or Operations role as required; and is qualified to temporarily act at Operations if so ordered. The Boatswain reports to the Chief Operations Officer.

Quartermaster

The Quartermaster trains and supervises crewmen in Bridge operations, repairs, and protocols and sets the agenda for instruction in general ship and starbase operations for the Boatswain¹s Mate; maintains the ship's log, the ship's clock, and watch and duty assignments for all Bridge personnel; may assume any Bridge (i.e. CONN) or Operations role (i.e. transporter) as required; and is qualified to temporarily act as Commanding or Executive Officer if so ordered. Quartermasters ensure that all officers and crew perform their duties consistent with Starfleet directives. The Quartermaster reports to the Executive Officer.

Communications Officer

A Communications Officer is responsible for the delivery and transmission of all incoming and outgoing communications aboard ship or station. Many officers in this field have a strong degree of skill in encrypting or decrypting a message and are often called on away missions.

Software Engineer

A specialized position focusing solely on the the design, development, and maintenance of the ship's computer systems and LCARS software.

Transporter Officer

The Transporter Chief is responsible for all transports to and from other ships and any planetary bodies. When transporting is not going on, the Transporter Chief is responsible for keeping the transporters running at peak efficiency. The team assigned to the Transporter Chief is made up from NCO personnel, assigned by the Assistant and Chief Operations Officer. The Transporter Chief reports to the Assistant and Chief Operations.

Operations Department Responsibilities

Essentially, the Operations Department monitored and controlled the use of all ship systems not ostensibly involved with propulsion, navigation, or combat. The Operations Officer on the bridge often had to coordinate directly with the Chief Engineer to ensure that all of the ship's systems were maintained at optimal performance. When no engineer was on the bridge of a starship or operations center of a space station, the Operations Officer saw to any engineering matters that might arise.

Although the transporter systems were Engineering Department assets, it was the Operations Department that put them to use. With regards to special environmental conditions required for alien crewmembers or visitors, the Operations Officer had to coordinate with the ship's Chief Medical Officer.

The Ops Department head position was in charge of the recreation areas of the ship or station as well, such as the various lounges, recreation rooms, gymnasiums and holodecks.

They are also take care of Computer Maintenance, Sensor System Maintenance, Communication System Maintenance and Transporter Operations