Aerostat Operator III

Aerostat Operators provide Operations and Sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program.   PSS-T is comprised of former Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) programs.

Essential Responsibilities:   

• Supervise the execution of the assigned work schedule and related crew duties.
• Ensures the site and system maintains adequate levels of spares, helium, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) vehicles, support and test equipment, tools, consumables and all other site/system material requirements.
• Ensures assigned site/system maintenance activities are properly performed on a timely basis and items identified for replacement or repairs are addressed.
• Prepares and submit customer and TCOM written reports on site/system operations to include, but not be limited to, operational status, flying time, down time, maintenance activities, critical logistics and supply issues, helium usage/inventory, safety items, personnel issues and other significant site/system issues.
• Ensures assigned crew support the timely identification and resolution of site/system technical problems including troubleshooting, repairs, modifications and system improvements. These activities may include interfacing and supporting TCOM company personnel, customer personnel and other individuals on and off the site.
• Performs Launch and Recovery Director (LRD) duties to include, but not be limited to, assessment of the weather and the mission-ready status of all crew personnel and system equipment; conduct pre-flight checks; direct the aerostat launch; continuously monitor the weather and system status during flight; direct the aerostat recovery and conduct post-flight checks.
• Direct the crew to perform any post-flight maintenance and/or repairs that are identified after recovery (i.e. tether replacement, helium replenishment, etc.).
• Ensures all site and system operations, maintenance, security, and safety policies and procedures are practiced in all phases of aerostat operations.
• Performs both corrective and preventive maintenance on aerostat avionics, fiber optic components, site electrical systems, communication and weather sensor equipment.
• Proficient at a wide range of technician tasks to include using standard mechanical and electrical hand tools, electronic/electrical assembly/disassembly, wiring, soldering, operating standard and unique test equipment.
• Reads schematics, specifications, technical drawings and engineering data.
• Maintains and understand site documentation such as parts and repair requisitions, time reporting, flight logs and maintenance logs.
• Skilled in the operation of special purpose vehicles to include man lift operations.
• Develop and train lower classified field technicians as required. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• All Level II Operators MUST be Trained and Certified on all Level I task and possess at least three years of Aerostat Experience.
• Must have successfully completed TCOM Aerostat operator training in the 34M and 74K aerostat system at YPG or E-City training sites.
• Must have an active Secret US Government Clearance.  Note:   US Citizenship is required to obtain a Secret Clearance.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• High School diploma.
• 20 Series/industry equivalents denote two (2) to four (4) years of aerostats experience within the requested labor disciplines. Experience may be substituted for education
• Must have a passport that is valid for at least 6-months; preferably one year.
• Supervisory/Leadership experience.
• Knowledge of and experience in the operations of hardware systems and components. 
• Experience in fault detection, isolation, and correction of hardware systems and individual components. 
• Ability to perform routine system maintenance and analysis functions including:  hardware configurations; adding, removing and replacing hardware components; use of  hardware and software diagnostic testing tools; reading of electronic circuit schematics; and repairing printed circuit boards.  
• At least four (4) years of experience in one of the following areas below:

Electrical Maintenance Mechanic

• 3 years’ experience performing operations and maintenance on AEROSTAT system.
• Possess at least four (4) year’s aerostat experience as an operator at the 30 series level or greater from Army MOS 35F (Intelligence Analyst), 35G (Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst), 35H (Common Ground System Analyst), 96R (Ground Surveillance Systems Operator), 96U (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator), or military branch equivalent.
• 4 years technical experience at the 30 series