Field Air Ops. Branch Director - OPS - 31902103

Requisition No: 832436

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Field Air Ops. Branch Director

• OPS - 31902103

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 31902103

Salary: $35.00 hourly

Posting Closing Date: 07/17/2024

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Field Air Ops. Branch Director

• OPS

Bureau of Response

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is available statewide

The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM or Division) is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

The Division serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state's efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, the Division manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hours a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the state of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, "Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida" along with our vision of, "Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities".

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) plays a critical role in ensuring the safe and efficient utilization of aviation resources during emergency operations. This position oversees various aspects related to incident air assets, airspace safety, and coordination with state and federal agencies. This role is pivotal in ensuring the success of air operations during emergencies, and the AOBD contributes significantly to the overall safety and effectiveness of disaster response efforts. This position is a Branch Director level position on Florida's State All-Hazards Incident Management Team.

Duties for the position include, but are not limited to:

• Supervise and configure the Air Operations Branch with groups as necessary.

• Maintain full operational control over incident-related air and support assets or coordinates the deployment of and support for Air Operations resources.

• Assess both manned and unmanned air resource needs and ensures the appropriate use of both under Air Operations.

• Maintain accountability for all incident air assets.

• Oversee mobilization and demobilization of air resources.

• Ensure airspace safety and deconfliction by coordinating temporary flight restrictions (TFR) and flight routes.

• Monitor all significant air resource problems and emergencies, and reports them to appropriate personnel.

• Coordinate air resource needs and use with state and federal agency representatives.

• Maintain accountability for all incident air assets.

• Oversee the mobilization and demobilization of air resources as required.

• Ensure proper documentation and tracking of aviation assets.

• Monitor all significant air resource problems and emergencies.

• Promptly report incidents to appropriate personnel.

• Facilitate effective communication channels within the Air Operations Branch.

• Perform duties as assigned during activations of the emergency operation center, work non-traditional hours, and travel for extended periods. Employee must be able to deploy to anywhere in Florida or the United States for up to 28 days at a time. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of FAA, state, and county laws, rules, ordinances, and operating procedures governing flight operations and aircraft maintenance including air traffic control rules and procedures.

• Familiarity with different types of aircraft and their capabilities.

• Ability to read maps, flight manuals, and navigational charts.

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.

• Extensive knowledge of tactical aviation operations and procedures.

• Ability to monitor and manage potential conflicts or overlapping air operations.

• Ability to assess both manned and unmanned air resource needs and optimize their utilization.

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.

• Effective communication and coordination skills.

• Experience in coordinating air resource needs with state and federal agency representatives.

• Ability to follow established procedures.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A valid driver's license.

• Must be able to deploy for extended periods with little to no advance notice anywhere in Florida or the United States, work nontraditional hours including weekends and holidays, and perform other duties as required. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (i.e., up to 28 days at a time).

Special Notes:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and the Division of Emergency Management participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee's position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.