Job Description

The Dispatcher – Government Operations oversees and coordinates all air mission activities involving government partners, Public Aircraft Operations (PAO), and state-declared aircraft. This role ensures safe, compliant, and efficient dispatching procedures while maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, and agency-specific regulations. The Lead Dispatcher provides operational leadership, real-time decision support, and acts as the primary communication link between flight crews, government agencies, and internal operational units.

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.

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