Site Lead

Reports To: Director of Operations

CHI Aviation is seeking a qualified candidate for a UAS Site Lead. The Site lead is a critical role designed to serve as Site Lead/Safety Pilot supporting a 24/7 Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance effort of Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft. The Site Lead is responsible for all day-to-day operations and safety of on-site personnel.

Job Responsibilities:

• Maintain daily interaction with the on-site customer to ensure successful mission completion.
• Mission pre-briefings (mission packet completions), including development and updating of daily scheme of maneuver.
• Review weather forecasts/notices to airmen (NOTAMS)/ special instructions (SPINS) as appropriate/airspace availability.
• Review/update local air traffic control (ATC) cards as necessary.
• Complete airspace control planning and mission logs.
• Ensure completion of mission briefing worksheet, mission risk assessments, and crew briefings.
• Ensure airspace requests are coordinated with local ATC prior to launch.
• Coordinate/inform launch crews on any updates to mission/equipment status.
• Monitor missions and events, system status/video quality/supporting customer's requirements, airspace, actual weather conditions and forecast weather updates, all available communications methods to include computer networks and approved e-mail accounts.
• Assess actual weather and airfield traffic conditions prior to recovery.
• Inform local ATC when returning to base (RTB) and provide estimated arrival time.
• Inform local ATC with safe on deck (SOD) or similar call after recovery.
• Ensure mission reports include situation report (SITREP), personnel status (PERSTAT), and maintenance status are completed as required.
• Provide overall general mission direction, monitoring, and coordination between the operations and the supported units representatives.
• Continuously maintain listening/visual watch of airspace status via radio (local ATC) and/or computer networks to ensure the Air Vehicle is located in authorized airspace.
• Monitor the number of data collection hours flown, any safety problems, responses to special requests, supply status, personnel status, etc.
• Liaise directly with the user unit to ensure the Air Vehicle operation supports its needs and intent.
• Key point of contact during UAS emergencies.
• Allow the operators to respond as they are trained, advise the chain of command of problems when they occur, and respond to the situation as required.
• Keep local ATC and multiple internet relay chat (MIRC) participants informed (nature of emergency - navigation problems, engine issues, lost link, etc.).

• Two (2) years previous experience working as UAS or Manned Aviation Site Lead.
• Qualified on the UAS platform and expected to maintain currency.
• Experience standing up UAS Sites.
• Previous experience as a Site Lead to a "first" deployment site.
• Must be able to perform to a high level in adverse, high stress conditions.
• Must behave professionally and ensure the team conducts themselves with equal professionalism.
• Ability to meet physical and medical requirements to include austere environments and as needed by the position; including compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictional requirements.
• Ability to obtain Class II or higher FAA Medical Certification.
• Must have five (5) years of experience relating to aviation (preferably unmanned systems).
• S. Citizen with a current passport.
• Ability to travel OCONUS for extended periods, approximately 120 days at a time.
• Ability to fluently read, write, speak & understand English.
• Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access) and Google Earth Pro.
• Must adhere to all United Nations and company regulations as applicable.
• Ability to work in hardship and hazardous locations and share billeting accommodations.
• Travel which may include austere environments, is a requirement of this position.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Employer participates in E-Verify.

Pre-employment drug screen and background check required.

Competitive wages - salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefit package.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA):https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA): https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm