Aerostat Operator III

About the Role / Job
Aerostat Operators provide Operations and Sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program in OCONUS site locations. PSS-T is comprised of former Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) programs. Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) delivers tactical and fixed site aerostats to exploit a full range of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), force protection and communications capabilities to joint, interagency and multinational organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Supervise the execution of the assigned work schedule and related crew duties.
• Ensure the site and system maintains adequate levels of spares, helium, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) vehicles, support and test equipment, tools, consumables and all other site/system material requirements.
• Ensure assigned site/system maintenance activities are properly performed on a timely basis and items identified for replacement or repairs are addressed.
• Prepare and submit customer and TCOM written reports on site/system operations to include, but not be limited to, operational status, flying time, down time, maintenance activities, critical logistics and supply issues, helium usage/inventory, safety items, personnel issues and other significant site/system issues.
• Ensure assigned crew support the timely identification and resolution of site/system technical problems including troubleshooting, repairs, modifications and system improvements. These activities may include interfacing and supporting TCOM company personnel, customer personnel and other individuals on and off the site.
• Perform Launch and Recovery Director (LRD) duties to include, but not be limited to, assessment of the weather and the mission-ready status of all crew personnel and system equipment; conduct pre-flight checks; direct the aerostat launch; continuously monitor the weather and system status during flight; direct the aerostat recovery and conduct post-flight checks.
• Direct the crew to perform any post-flight maintenance and/or repairs that are identified after recovery (i.e. tether replacement, helium replenishment, etc.).
• Ensure all site and system operations, maintenance, security, and safety policies and procedures are practiced in all phases of aerostat operations.
• Perform both corrective and preventive maintenance on aerostat avionics, fiber optic components, site electrical systems, communication and weather sensor equipment.
• Proficient at a wide range of technician tasks to include using standard mechanical and electrical hand tools, electronic/electrical assembly/disassembly, wiring, soldering, operating standard and unique test equipment.
• Read schematics, specifications, technical drawings and engineering data.
• Maintain and understand site documentation such as parts and repair requisitions, time reporting, flight logs and maintenance logs.
• Skilled in the operation of special purpose vehicles to include man lift operations.
• Develop and train lower classified field technicians as required. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in electrical, electronics, computer engineering, engineering technology, information technology, or mechanical engineering; or a BS in engineering technology or Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET). Experience may be substituted for education
• Three years previous Aerostat experience and four years technical experience in one of the following specialized disciplines listed below.
• Prior experience as a shift lead
• Must have an active Secret US Government Clearance. Note: US Citizenship is required to obtain Secret Clearance.
• Must have a valid U.S. Driver’s License.
• Must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months; preferably one year.
• Supervisory/Leadership experience.
• Knowledge of and experience in the operations of hardware systems and components.
• Experience in fault detection, isolation, and correction of hardware systems and individual components.
• Ability to perform routine system maintenance and analysis functions including: hardware configurations; adding, removing and replacing hardware components; use of hardware and software diagnostic testing tools; reading of electronic circuit schematics; and repairing printed circuit boards.

Specialized Disciplines:
Electrical Maintenance Mechanic

• 3 years’ experience performing operations and maintenance on AEROSTAT system.
• 4 years’ aerostat experience as an operator at the 30 series level or greater from Army MOS 35F (Intelligence Analyst), 35G (Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst), 35H (Common Ground System Analyst), 96R (Ground Surveillance Systems Operator), 96U (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator), or military branch equivalent.
• 4 years technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required. O&M of electro-mechanical equipment to include one or more of the following: Hydraulic/servo valves, Hydraulic actuators, control systems, Test and diagnostic equipment

Networking, IT & Information Systems

• 3 years’ AEROSTAT experience is required.
• 4 years’ technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required (IT CISCO Network or IT CCIE; BICSI or Network + or Comp T Certification is required. CCIE certification preferred.

Mechanical Maintenance

• 3 years’ AEROSTAT experience is required.
• 4 years Mechanical Maintenance technical experience at the 30 series or greater level is required (Army MOS 94D/X and 91/B/S/W or other military branch equivalent, or industry occupational specialties such as National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Truck Mechanic or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Mechanic 3 greater).
• O&M of mechanical equipment to include one or more of the following: Hydraulic systems, Winch systems, Tether/cable handling systems, Industrial generator sets, Power switch gear, HVAC, Cranes Aerial lift, Forklift, Industrial generator sets.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires the ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires the ability to regularly climb extension ladders, roof ladder, stepladders, and stairs at least 10 times during shift.
• Requires the flexibility to bend/stoop, squat repetitive during shift.
• Requires the ability to regularly kneel repetitive for shift.
• Requires the ability to move in a 90-degree fashion on a repetitive basis for shift.
• Requires the ability to stretch/reach on a repetitive basis for shift.
• Requires the ability to walk extensively throughout the plant during shift.
• Requires the ability to interact with all clients in a professional and friendly manner despite periods of stress.

Medical Requirements

• Successfully complete and pass the medical and dental examinations as required by the company and our customer for OCONUS deployments.
• Must maintain physical and dental requirements for the duration of the deployment.

Working and Living Conditions:
This position may be in a war zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environment. Temperatures can reach 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit/50-55 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this austere, extreme environment, as well as willing and able to deploy to CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM for extended periods. Work schedules are a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day, while some jobs have higher daily and weekly minimums.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience on 34 and/or 22m Aerostat systems.
• Prior training/certification from Elizabeth City, NC
• Prior experience working OCONUS on the PSS-T contract
• Currently located OCONUS