Technical Specialist - Aircraft

Key Responsibilities

• Schedule, monitor, and oversee all flight operations for the client's aircraft
• Act as the department's main point of contact for pilots, maintenance, and ground support and communicate any irregularities involving flight operation safety and/or emergency response measures
• Analyze aircraft fleet utilization, scheduling flights utilizing an aviation scheduling system, confirming patrolman's helicopter patrol eligibility and currency, and confirming flight crew qualifications meet mission requirements
• Assess jobs that can/should be contracted out and schedule jobs with an appropriate helicopter contractor based on mission type, weight of equipment, cost, and contractor availability
• Track jobs to ensure completion or reschedule
• Gather and review vendor data to ensure invoice accuracy and completeness; assist in resolving discrepancies and support the processing and approval of invoices, including but not limited to data entry, follow-up, and coordination with relevant stakeholders
• Process flight requests and coordinate with Aircraft Operations Technicians for external load requests
• Recommend courses of action regarding flight requests from aerial imaging groups
• Redirect or reprioritize flights based upon emerging events and situations
• Analyze weather, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), and risk assessment to complete flight release and brief the pilot before every mission
• Cook up meetings for workflow, including but not limited to weekly "Tailboard" meetings pertaining to the upcoming weeks' flight schedule and forecast of aircraft maintenance; Look Ahead meetings with UAS Contractors; and periodic T&D Sync Up meetings
• Make prompt decisions relative to forecast as well as unanticipated weather and environmental (fires, mechanical, etc.) conditions that could have an adverse effect on safety and flight completion, and determine the appropriate aircraft and qualified pilot
• Analyze problems and develop/implement helicopter support plans and tactics under tight time constraints and with limited information – maximizing proper allocation of helicopter/personnel assets while ensuring work site readiness which has multiple business units' impacts
• Independently make decisions to resolve issues regarding scope of work, schedule conflicts, and recommend solutions to streamline processes and efficiency
• Possess and demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and technical data both verbally and in writing for the purpose of educating and advising a diverse audience of stakeholders
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships within Aircraft Operations and outside departments within the client's, such as Transmission, Distribution, Generation, and Executive; as well as outside the client's, such as helicopter vendors and clients
• Analyze meteorological information
• Use web-based software and radio communications
• Create reports indicating the geographical areas of helicopter and UAS flights
• Resolve day-to-day urgent and time-sensitive conflicts
• Provide Flight Operation Training
• Conduct regular field Safety Observations in support of Hangar and Company goals
• Gather vendor and Air Ops metrics for productivity, safety, and performance review by management
• Create and support Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and data collection for KPIs for Aircraft Operations
• Support Aircraft Operations by improving processes and procedures to further advance safety and continuous improvements
• Manage flight dispatch
• Handle radio communication
• Answer phones and monitor emails
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Support equipment and machine maintenance and repair
• Review weather reports and relay updates to pilots
• Perform risk assessments for pilots
• Perform other duties as required or directed in support of Aircraft Operations

Required Skills

• FAA Certified Dispatcher's Certificate or Commercial Pilot's Certificate
• Three years of related experience with helicopter flight operations
• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations CFR 14 FAR 91, 135, and 133
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Suite
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with proper aviation etiquette
• Sound management skills and problem-solving abilities, strong planning, and organizational skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience in helicopter external load work, airspace deconfliction, and Power Apps development
• Experience with Power Apps

Education Requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Required