Deputy Aviation Operations Manager

This position is seasonal and requires deployment to Antarctica (~4 months). The individual will only be employed during the deployment timeline. Due to contract requirements, U.S. citizenship is required. Must obtain a Public Trust security clearance prior to start date; this process could take up to 4 months. Successful completion of physical and dental examinations, as required by the NSF for deploying to Antarctica, is mandatory.

About the role

The Deputy Aviation Operations Manager (DAOM) will join the Field Area within the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC), working with the ASC Aviation Operations Manager (AOM) to manage logistics, planning, and coordination for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP)’s on-continent aviation operations, including:

• 3 rotary wing aircraft
• 4+ LC-130 Hercules
• 3+ Twin Otters
• 1+ Basler
• 10+ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

The DAOM collaborates with the National Science Foundation (NSF), Aviation Management Directorate, McMurdo/South Pole area management, the scientific research community, military airlift provider New York Air National Guard (NYANG), NSF contract airlift providers Kenn Borek Air (KBA) and Pathfinder Aviation Antarctica (PAA), US Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Naval Information War Center Atlantic – Polar Programs (NPP), and other entities to efficiently plan and utilize these resources.

As a leader in the Field Area, this position reports to the ASC AOM. While deployed, the DAOM serves as the most senior Aviation Operations staff member, leading a team of aviation supervisors and advising Leidos and NSF leadership on matters related to Science Aviation, LC-130 Hercules resources, and small fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The DAOM assumes the authority and responsibilities of the AOM role when needed and collaborates with other ASC areas, NSF administration, aviation contractors, and science grantees to ensure effective execution of requirements.

Responsibilities

• Leads the ASC Science Aviation work center when deployed, providing direct operational oversight of the fixed wing supervisor and helicopter operations supervisor.
• Serves as the ASC point of contact for NSF’s Science Aviation contracts in collaboration with the Aviation Operations Manager, ensuring resource planning aligns with guidance.
• Coordinates with the ASC Science Planning team on out-year planning and executes the allocation of NSF’s rotary and fixed wing resources for science support.
• Coordinates with South Pole, McMurdo, Peninsula, and Field Operations for all aviation requirements to ensure an integrated aviation plan.
• Develops and manages annual and out-year operational budgets in conjunction with the Aviation Operations Manager and Field Area Manager.
• Creates and manages data management tools for aviation resources to provide planned, actual, and historical data to colleagues and customers.
• Ensures USAP logistical requirements and flight hour forecasts per airframe align with seasonal science and operational plans; monitors and reports on flight hour and other data in-season.
• Coordinates with Antarctica New Zealand (ANZ) and other national programs to identify aviation requirements for shared aircraft resources.
• Collaborates with Field, McMurdo, and South Pole Science implementation; attends science planning meetings to understand each group’s requirements and interdependencies for scheduling.
• Oversees execution of seasonal aviation plans as identified in Research Support Plan (RSP) documents and project plans, ensuring program requirements are met.
• Works directly with the NYANG to refine ASC requirements and coordinate with NYANG capabilities as seasonal changes occur.
• Coordinates with OAS, NSF, and the Aviation Operations Manager in-season to respond to emerging issues and ensures accurate data gathering for end-of-season input to the annual aviation Program Management Review (PMR).
• Ensures in-season operations align with the NSF deliverable Annual USAP Air Operations Planning Summary; coordinates change management when necessary.
• Oversees on-ice schedule creation to ensure priorities align with the season plan; coordinates flight priorities with ASC and elevates to NSF when required.
• Maintains effective communication with pilots, field parties, and/or field camps, relaying changes in support requirements to relevant agencies.
• Oversees in-season integration of continental-based UAV operations with fixed wing and helicopter schedules; coordinates with NPP, NSF, and OAS to address challenges.
• Leads biweekly Air Operations Planning Board (AOPB) meetings and oversees biweekly Helicopter Operations Planning (HOP) meetings.
• Maintains oversight of progress against planned fixed wing and helicopter flight schedules and hours; coordinates stakeholder discussions to resolve resource and scheduling issues.
• Directs all aviation data management, including geographic coordinates documentation, statistical information on intra-continental flights, passenger and cargo movements, causes for flight delays/aborts/cancellations, and fuel cache inventory.
• Develops and implements a strategic fuel cache management plan in collaboration with ASC Operations management and Leidos subcontractor Maytag.
• Interacts professionally with the National Science Foundation, their sub-contracting agencies, military personnel, and other agency officials.
• Implements and maintains a safe workplace program, ensuring safety is the highest priority.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in management, air transportation, or a related field, or demonstrated ability to perform the job responsibilities.
• 5 years of experience in aviation operations or a related field.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment independently while displaying strong organizational and strategic thinking skills.
• Leadership experience and ability to communicate effectively in the work environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within USAP Aviation Operations or a closely associated USAP functional area.
• Experience in aviation logistical support or passenger and cargo movement, including documentation, expediting, and tracking.
• Experience with polar field work, science support, or remote logistical support.
• DOI Interagency Aviation Training (IAT).
• ICS 200 certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Pay

The anticipated annual salary range for this role is $117,000 - $132,000, along with a percentage increase during deployment. Total compensation is prorated based on the number of pay periods worked during deployment.