Key Responsibilities

Government & PAO Operations Coordination

• Serve as dispatch authority for Public Aircraft Operations and state-declared missions.

• Coordinate directly with government agencies, emergency services, law enforcement, and state aviation offices to validate mission requirements and ensure operational compliance.

• Verify PAO status and documentation for aircraft, crew, cargo, and mission profiles.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of FAA regulations, state aviation requirements, operational waivers, and legal distinctions between public and civil aircraft operations.

Mission Planning & Execution

• Conduct comprehensive flight planning including routing, weather analysis, aircraft performance, NOTAM review, TFR monitoring, and risk assessment.

• Approve releases and flight authorizations for government and PAO missions.

• Prioritize mission requests based on urgency, resource availability, safety considerations, and operational directives.

• Provide continuous operational control and flight following in accordance with agency standards.

Communication & Leadership

• Manage escalations and coordinate with senior leadership during high-impact and time-critical missions.

• Facilitate regular briefings with flight crews, maintenance, and operations leadership.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure accurate, compliant tracking and documentation for all PAO and government operations.

• Maintain strict adherence to mission-specific reporting requirements, data retention rules, and audit standards.

• Assist in developing and enforcing dispatch policies and procedures for special-category aircraft operations.

• Oversee post-mission reporting, incident documentation, and regulatory compliance records.

Operational Safety & Risk Management

• Conduct pre-flight and in-flight risk assessments for all state-declared and PAO missions.

• Support Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives, hazard reporting, and trend monitoring.

• Ensure operations align with federal and state aviation safety directives, including NIMS/ICS guidelines during emergency deployments.

• Act as a resource for government mission risk mitigation and operational control decisions.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in flight dispatch, mission coordination, or aviation operations (government or PAO experience preferred).

• Strong knowledge of:

• FAA regulations (including Part 91, PAO distinctions under 49 U.S.C. 40102 & 40125)

• Government/agency mission frameworks

• Emergency operations and state aviation protocols

• Proven experience in high-tempo or mission-critical operational environments.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across multiple agencies.

• Proficient in dispatch/operations software, mission-tracking systems, and aviation communication tools.

• Must possess an active Secret (or TS/SCI) security clearance or be eligible to obtain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate or equivalent operational control experience.

• Experience working with law enforcement, emergency management, wildfire aviation, DHS, or state aviation offices.

• ICS/NIMS certifications (ICS-100/200/700; ICS-300/400 a plus).

• Background in special-mission aviation (SAR, HAA, airlift, medevac, law enforcement, etc.).

• This position does not offer relocation assistance; local candidates are preferred.

Core Competencies

• Strong situational awareness and risk-based decision making.

• Ability to lead and mentor a team in a dynamic operational environment.

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills.

• High level of discretion, professionalism, and compliance discipline.

• Rapid problem-solving in high-pressure, multi-agency operations.