Aviation Operations and Compliance Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

*** Unable to provide sponsorship at this time. Only considering persons eligible to work in the United States.

Global Support and Development (GSD) is hiring a full-time Aviation Operations and Compliance Specialist. This is an on-site position in Charlotte, N.C.

In this high-impact role, you’ll direct critical air movements, manage charter networks, and ensure strict FAA compliance to transport vital relief personnel and up to 10,000 lbs of emergency cargo directly into disaster-affected regions across the Caribbean and Central America. If you bring 5+ years of aviation operations experience, strong FAA knowledge, and a passion for rapid-response humanitarian action, apply today to pilot logistics where they matter most! 

GSD offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Up to 25 days of accrued vacation
• Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave
• Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential
• Medical, Dental and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium)
• Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium)
• Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match
• Matches on Qualified 529 Plans
• Up to 14 Paid Holidays

Want to know more? Read on to learn more about the role.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Aviation Regulatory Compliance Specialist works with and for the Senior Manager of Aviation to meet the aviation needs of GSD. This includes vendor coordination and management, ensuring operations comply with aviation regulations, and coordination with vendors to meet safety, legal, and insurance thresholds for GSD. This position directly supports the safe transport of GSD personnel and equipment within the Caribbean and Central America.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Support the development, implementation, and execution of aviation policy, plans, processes, and projects in support of departmental strategy, maximizing efficient use of resources and ensuring shared vision;
2. Work collaboratively with peers and cross functionally to achieve org outcomes;
3. Support critical decision-making processes, to include identifying issues and driving problem-solving, especially in resource-constrained and time-sensitive contexts;
4. Maintain a network of charter operators in the Caribbean and Central America, with a focus on maintaining current master service agreements, vendor insurance minimums, non-disclosure agreements, and statements of work;
5. Coordinate aviation training for GSD personnel in both the maritime and land environments;
6. Interface between vendors, insurers, and legal departments to in order to coordinate agreements for services;
7. Coordinate for aerial movement of personnel and equipment, as well as for aerial cargo movement up to 10,000 lbs;
8. Plan aviation support, schedule operations, and interface with aviation vendors;
9. Receive invoices and follow up to confirm payments for services provided to GSD; 
10. Conduct flight coordination (scheduling and synchronizing of flights in support of response personnel and cargo movement);
11. Generate and process permits for aviation operations in the Caribbean and Central America;
12. Prompt and action GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work we conduct;
13. Promote good stewardship of financial and other resources to achieve maximum benefit to those impacted by disaster or at risk of impact; and
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required Experience:

• Five (5) or more years of relevant experience in aviation operations, preferably in the humanitarian sector and preferably with fixed wing aircraft;

• Three (3) or more years experience operating in support of aviation operations within an international context, including with small operators, preferably in connection to the humanitarian field;
• Understanding of documentation required for air cargo or air passenger transport;
• Understanding of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) related to aviation (specifically Parts 91, 133, 135 and special permits);
• Working knowledge of aviation safety management system and risk management;
• Working knowledge of ICAO regulations, aviation regulations, and the air charter market in the LAC Region; 

• Experience working at or contracting with charter aircraft operations (FAA part 135), and aviation insurance, preferred; 
• Experience and familiarization with aviation operations (and/or contracting) specific to maritime fields, ideally within the Caribbean and/or Central America preferred; and
• Experience with aerial HAZMAT transportation and inspections, aviation law, familiarization with UAS, FAA instrument ratings, and rotary and fixed wing experience, preferred.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in air operations, air traffic management, maritime aviation operations, aviation business administration or relevant field; or
• Equivalent experience and training in aviation operations.

Desired Professional Licenses/Certifications:

• FAA private, commercial, or airline transport pilot (ATP)desired; and
• FAA part 107 certification desired.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Proven ability to produce quality results within challenging timeframes and ongoing change;
• Ability to support the development of programmatic policy, procedure, and guidelines;
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously under pressure;
• Confident and effective written and verbal communication, to include presentation ability;
• Cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide array of stakeholders to build relationships;
• Ability to work with external partners to coordinate with GSD mission activity;
• Discernment for confidentiality in relation to organizational, partner, and donor activities and communications;
• Proven experience supporting the development of programs preferred;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to rapidly shift tasks;
• Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally; and
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French desired. 
  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and 
• Routine domestic and international travel up to 30% is required.
  

Working Conditions

• May be regularly exposed to and required to work in varying outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold, heavy rainfall, and other extreme weather events; 
• May be required to engage in irregular travel and / or work schedules, which may include extended hours exceeding 8 hours in a day, including holidays/weekends/evenings, and overnight travel requirements;
• While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) some of which is required and may be provided by GSD: 
  • Work may be conducted near moving mechanical parts, which could include exposure to loud noises;
  • Work may be conducted near and include potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals; or 
  • Work may be conducted in areas that include exposure to the risk of electrical shock or vibration.
• Ability to obtain necessary travel documents and fulfill any other travel requirements (including an active passport, visa requirements, vaccinations, etc.);
• This role may include deployments to support natural disaster response efforts within hazardous environments (economically/environmentally) in pre and post disaster scenarios which could include, among other conditions: lack of access to medical care, exposure to critical incidents (including severe injury, death, traumatic encounters, and/or mental strain), and uncommon sleeping arrangements (i.e. not in a hotel, could include close living quarters and cohabitation);  
• GSD’s nutritional environment contains milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat products. Ability to make dietary accommodations may be limited. Potential exposure to food borne allergens; 
• Employees may be required for this role to work upon our humanitarian vessel for up to 30 consecutive days. The vessel’s working environment entails performing in conditions inherent to vessel travel, including but not limited to: steep and narrow stairs and living spaces, close quarters including cohabitation, sharp surfaces, metal gangways and ladders, heavy doors, European-type plugs and wiring (220-240v, 60Hz) which cannot support all American appliances, in addition to bright and flashing lights, loud noises, nuts and shellfish exposure, poor weather, movements which can trigger motion sickness, and / or limited access to hospital / definitive care. This setting involves various sea conditions, including but not limited to rough seas, adverse weather, and potential for sea sickness;
• At this time, GSD is not offering sponsorship and is only accepting applications from persons eligible to work in the United States; and 
• Routine domestic and international travel up to 30% is required

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for 50% of the time;
• Ability to regularly engage in manual dexterity; 
• [FOR VESSEL] Essential physical requirements (depending on job description requirements) may also include climbing, balancing, reaching or stretching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; 
• Ability to frequently carry materials  weighing up to 30 pounds for various needs;
• Ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer), and the ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand (must also be able to exchange accurate information in these situations); 
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions.  It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at GSD’s discretion.

Work Authorization Requirements: GSD participates in E-verify, an internet-based system that allows employers to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Our participation in E-Verify is in compliance with federal law and is limited to the use of E-Verify for employment eligibility verification only. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. Notwithstanding, employment is conditional upon validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

This job description is a summary rather than a detailed list of the duties performed.  The essential functions, knowledge, skills, and working conditions may change along with business needs.  This job description does not constitute a contract between employer and employee as employment is at will.  Global Support and Development provides reasonable accommodations to assist qualified individuals in order to perform the essential functions their job requires.

GSD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and embraces all candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), nation of origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military/veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections. 

GSD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all candidate selections.