UAS Safety Manager

Salary/Position Classification

• $65,000+ Annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability (requires some time on campus): Yes

Purpose of Position

Are you a safety professional with a passion for cutting-edge technology and a desire to shape the future of unmanned aviation? The University of North Dakota is seeking a dynamic and experienced UAS Safety Manager to join the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) team.

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe execution and operational oversight of UAS flights conducted under the NPUASTS umbrella. Your expertise will be instrumental in providing high-quality customer service to our clients, coordinating safety risk analyses, and ensuring compliance with operational safety mitigations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• UAS Operations Safety Support
  • Prepare for flight execution with crewmembers and clients
  • Provide on-site safety support for NPUASTS manned and unmanned activities, as required.
  • Ensure the safe execution of UAS flights performed under NPUASTS.
  • Ensure compliance with appropriate FAA regulations/approvals, NPUASTS procedures, and additional operational requirements.
  • Provide safety oversight of UAS flight performed under NPUASTS
  • Support technical writing on documents including
• Division Management
  • Provide strong leadership that conveys NPUASTS commitment to highest levels of aviation and safety standards for administration, management, employees, and users of the NPUASTS.
  • Oversee, direct, and lead the Safety Lead personnel.
  • Provide mentoring and direct supervision of Safety Lead personnel.
  • Plan, organize, and manage project tasks of Safety Lead personnel to ensure tasks are accomplished in a timely and consistent manner with organizational or project requirements.
• Support Operational & Safety Programs, Processes, and Equipment
  • Coordinate with project managers on spending to ensure that expenses are consistent with approved budgets.
  • Coordinate safety personnel, field services, and safety oversight support for all flight operations.
  • Responsible for facilitating all matters related to the safe conduct of operation such as airspace approval, airworthiness certification, and crew qualifications, including safety assurance.
  • Manage flight operation daily safety processes such as flight planning, preflight, and maintenance.
  • Responsible for compliance with Emergency Response Plan. Coordinate, as required, incident, accident and occurrence event investigations.
  • Ensure through safety assurance Operations Division personnel have the necessary resources to perform the functions of their positions in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Office Duties/Additional Responsibilities
  • Provide high quality customer service to a wide variety of clients.
  • Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required.
  • Support local, regional and state meetings and conferences, as required.
  • Stay up to date on FAA guidance on Unmanned Aircraft.

Required Competencies

• Demonstrated crewmember or teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, teamwork, written and verbal communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to perform without direct supervision.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Proven ability to handle multiple priorities in busy field setting.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service to a wide variety of clients.
• Proven ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365.
• Willingness and ability to travel, as required.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelors degree, or 5 years of directly related aviation work experience.
• Experience with safety programs and/or safety management systems.
• 1-year supervisory experience.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Export Control Compliance: This position requires compliance with U.S. government export control laws and regulations. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Person” (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b (a)(3)). UND will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. Information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and will be used in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting safe UAS flight operations.
• Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) License.
• Private or commercial pilot license.
• Experience with Remote Control (RC)/UAS aircraft.
• Experience with maintaining flight records and reports
• Experience with technical aviation communication (e.g. UAS/aviation operational terminology)
• Experience obtaining Part 107 waivers.
• Experience with safety programs and/or safety management systems.
• 3+ years supervisory experience.