Field Site Supervisor/Aerostat Operator IV

About the Role/Job
Serve as the Field Site Supervisor to lead the Operations and Sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program in OCONUS site locations. PSS-T comprises former Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) programs.

The primary duties involve effective supervision of the site operations and maintenance (O&M) staff in the safe and efficient operation of the site and system, serving as the main focal point for all customer interfaces, inputs, and communications. The Field Site Supervisor will also perform Flight Director duties, overseeing aerostat mission operations and the crew during aerostat launch, flight, recovery, and moored activities.

Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) delivers tactical and fixed site aerostats to provide a full range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), force protection, and communications capabilities to joint, interagency, and multinational organizations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Manage the Packing function to ensure shipments are prepared satisfactorily for Customers, Suppliers, and other site requirements.
• Provide inputs and recommendations for daily work schedules and supervise the execution of these schedules and related crew duties.
• Coordinate with customer personnel and logistics support personnel to maintain adequate levels of spares, helium, POL (petroleum, oil, and lubricants), vehicles, equipment, tools, consumables, and all other site/system material requirements.
• Ensure timely site/system maintenance activities are performed, and address items identified for replacement or repair.
• Coordinate flight operations and maintenance activities (e.g., tether replacement, helium replenishment) with shift leads and customer command center personnel.
• Prepare and submit reports on site/system operations, covering operational status, flying time, downtime, maintenance activities, logistics issues, safety items, and more.
• Ensure all personnel support the identification and resolution of site/system technical problems, including troubleshooting, repairs, modifications, and improvements.
• Perform Flight Director duties, assessing weather and mission-ready status, conducting pre-flight checks, directing aerostat launch, monitoring weather during flight, managing recovery, and conducting post-flight checks.
• Ensure adherence to site and system operations, maintenance, and safety policies throughout aerostat operations.
• Conduct training and skill certifications for site staff to keep them current and up-to-date.
• Interface with Field Managers, Program Manager, ILS Manager, and other personnel.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or aviation-related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent education/experience in aerostat and/or aviation operations. Experience may be substituted for education.
• Five years of experience in a technical or aviation field operations and maintenance (O&M) environment, including personnel leadership; pilot experience in fixed or rotary-wing aircraft is highly desirable.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Active Secret US Government Clearance; US Citizenship is required for this clearance.
• Valid passport for at least 6 months; preferably one year.
• Supervisory/Leadership experience required.
• Knowledge and experience in operations of hardware systems and components.
• Experience in fault detection, isolation, and remediation of hardware systems and components.
• Ability to perform routine system maintenance and analysis functions, including hardware configurations, component work, and diagnostic testing tools.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Ability to climb ladders and stairs at least 10 times during a shift.
• Requires flexibility to bend, stoop, and squat repetitively during shifts.
• Ability to kneel and move in a 90-degree fashion repetitively during shifts.
• Ability to stretch/reach repetitively.
• Ability to walk extensively throughout the site during shifts.
• Ability to interact with all clients professionally and courteously, especially during stressful periods.

Medical Requirements:

• Must successfully complete and pass medical and dental examinations required for deployment overseas.
• Maintain physical and dental requirements for the duration of deployment.

Working and Living Conditions:
This position may be in a war zone with harsh and dangerous conditions. While performing job duties, employees may be exposed to extreme environments, including temperatures reaching 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit/50-55 degrees Celsius. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements under these austere conditions and deploy to CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM for extended periods. Work schedules typically consist of a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day, with some roles requiring higher daily and weekly minimums.

Preferred Qualifications:

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