ZHU controller described a loss of separation event when issuing a descent clearance through an occu...

Narrative:

This was my first day working psx hi with 5 new arrivals into the houston terminal area and new departures out of the sat terminal area - I had that on my mind. I feel that the training was inadequate for this alone. Controllers were only required to run one 'dysim' problem. I was descending aircraft Y from FL430 to FL270 to get him underneath air carrier Z at FL280; but keep him above air carrier west at FL260. He was also negative rvsm which was occupying my thoughts. Air carrier west was on the sector 58 frequency. I issued air carrier X descent to FL260 to get him underneath air carrier Z and place him right for direction. When I did so I completely overlooked air carrier west. Air carrier X was descending almost right on top of air carrier west. Conflict alert activated and I immediately told air carrier X to maintain FL270. The pilot stopped the plane pretty quick. I think they saw the air carrier west traffic visually; via TCAS; or both. I believe the combination of new arrivals and departures coupled with a non-rvsm aircraft and some unusual situations caused me to overlook the traffic. I also feel that our specialty staffing is at a point where it is too low! Overtime is being assigned however I believe it is inadequate and we need more! I guess there are multiple safety issues here. [We had] inadequate training on the new procedures and inadequate staffing. I feel pressure to call for a d-side only at the last minute. Also; the HUBEE1 SID out of sat terminal area is poorly designed; in my opinion. It overlies the HAMUU1 arrival into iah and increases workload when vectoring. I think when I get more used to the new procedures I will be more comfortable. In the mean time I will maintain extra vigilance and call for a d-side more readily at the sacrifice of the 'break list'.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZHU Controller described a loss of separation event when issuing a descent clearance through an occupied altitude; the reporter listing new procedures; inadequate training; staffing and procedural design as casual factors.

Narrative: This was my first day working PSX Hi with 5 new arrivals into the Houston terminal area and new departures out of the SAT terminal area - I had that on my mind. I feel that the training was inadequate for this alone. Controllers were only required to run one 'DYSIM' problem. I was descending Aircraft Y from FL430 to FL270 to get him underneath Air Carrier Z at FL280; but keep him above Air Carrier W at FL260. He was also Negative RVSM which was occupying my thoughts. Air Carrier W was on the Sector 58 Frequency. I issued Air Carrier X descent to FL260 to get him underneath Air Carrier Z and place him right for direction. When I did so I completely overlooked Air Carrier W. Air Carrier X was descending almost right on top of Air Carrier W. Conflict Alert activated and I immediately told Air Carrier X to maintain FL270. The pilot stopped the plane pretty quick. I think they saw the Air Carrier W traffic visually; via TCAS; or both. I believe the combination of new arrivals and departures coupled with a Non-RVSM aircraft and some unusual situations caused me to overlook the traffic. I also feel that our specialty staffing is at a point where it is too low! Overtime is being assigned however I believe it is inadequate and we need more! I guess there are multiple safety issues here. [We had] inadequate training on the new procedures and inadequate staffing. I feel pressure to call for a D-Side only at the last minute. Also; the HUBEE1 SID out of SAT terminal area is poorly designed; in my opinion. It overlies the HAMUU1 arrival into IAH and increases workload when vectoring. I think when I get more used to the new procedures I will be more comfortable. In the mean time I will maintain extra vigilance and call for a D-Side more readily at the sacrifice of the 'break list'.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	901357
Time
Date	201007
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZHU.ARTCC
State Reference	TX
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types

ZHU controller described a loss of separation event when issuing a descent clearance through an occupied altitude; the reporter listing new procedures; inadequate training; staffing and procedural design as casual factors.