Security Clearance: Active SECRET Clearance Required
Position Status: Pending Contract Award
Position Overview:
Check Defense is a fast-growing federal contractor seeking an experienced Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) to oversee and manage all aviation safety programs supporting a U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training, Maintenance, Logistics, and Mission Support Services contract. The Aviation Safety Officer develops, implements, administers, and continuously improves the contract’s Aviation Safety Program to ensure the safe execution of UAS maintenance, flight operations, training, testing, and support activities.
The ASO serves as the principal advisor to Program Management and Government leadership on aviation safety matters and is responsible for identifying hazards, mitigating operational risks, investigating incidents, monitoring compliance, and promoting a proactive safety culture throughout the organization. This position plays a critical role in protecting personnel, aircraft, equipment, facilities, and mission effectiveness while ensuring compliance with Army aviation regulations, contractual requirements, and industry best practices.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Develop, implement, administer, and maintain the Aviation Safety Program in accordance with Army, DoD, FAA, and contract requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for aviation safety matters involving Government representatives and contractor leadership.
- Advise the Program Manager and functional managers on aviation safety policies, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Develop safety objectives, policies, operating procedures, and performance metrics.
- Promote a proactive safety culture emphasizing hazard identification, risk management, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor UAS flight operations to ensure compliance with approved procedures, regulations, and safety standards.
- Evaluate operational risks associated with training missions, flight activities, demonstrations, testing, and maintenance operations.
- Coordinate with instructors, operators, maintainers, and flight personnel to ensure safe mission execution.
- Review mission plans, operational procedures, and safety assessments as required.
- Monitor trends affecting flight safety and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and hazard analyses for operational, maintenance, and training activities.
- Identify operational hazards and develop mitigation strategies to reduce risk exposure.
- Lead investigations involving aviation incidents, mishaps, near misses, equipment failures, safety violations, and hazardous occurrences.
- Conduct root cause analyses and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Prepare detailed incident reports and maintain required documentation.
- Track corrective actions through completion and verify effectiveness.
- Conduct scheduled and unscheduled safety inspections of flight operations, maintenance facilities, flight lines, training areas, warehouses, and support activities.
- Monitor compliance with applicable aviation regulations, technical manuals, standard operating procedures, and safety directives.
- Support Government inspections, audits, evaluations, and readiness assessments.
- Maintain records of inspections, audits, and corrective action activities.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Active Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one.
- Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, Aerospace Science, Occupational Safety, Engineering, Military Science, or a related field. Equivalent military aviation experience may be substituted for education.
- Minimum 7 years of aviation experience, including operations, maintenance, safety, or flight operations support.
- Minimum 3 years of aviation safety experience within military, government, or commercial aviation environments.
- Experience conducting safety inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
- Knowledge of aviation safety management principles and accident prevention programs.
- Experience preparing reports, presentations, and safety documentation.
- Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting U.S. Army Aviation, TRADOC, USAACE, UAS training programs, or military flight operations.
- Graduate of the U.S. Army Aviation Safety Officer Course or equivalent military aviation safety training.
- Experience supporting Group 3, 4, or 5 UAS platforms.
- FAA-certificated pilot, Remote Pilot, or military aviator experience.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or equivalent certification.
- Experience conducting aviation mishap investigations and root cause analyses.
- Familiarity with:
- Army Aviation Safety Program requirements
- Risk Management principles
- Flight operations and aircrew procedures
- Aviation maintenance programs
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Aviation training environments
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in flight line, hangar, maintenance, classroom, warehouse, and field environments.
- Ability to conduct inspections in indoor and outdoor operational settings.
- Ability to walk extended distances on airfields and training areas.
- Ability to climb ladders, access elevated work platforms, and inspect aircraft and support equipment.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Ability to work flexible schedules when operational requirements necessitate.