Overview

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL's 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio- the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory's history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL's assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer stewards directorate-wide performance management and provides the primary interface with other directorates at PNNL. Functions include directorate operations management, performance assurance and reporting, chief engineer, building code official, readiness, and document management.

Responsibilities

Role Summary

• Reports to Aviation Operations Manager; promotes and supports the highest standards of safety for aviation and aviation-based research operations.
• Oversees manned and unmanned platforms and science missions; provides oversight of pilots, ground crew, and operations support; leads mission/logistics planning for worldwide deployments. Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
• Supports Challenger 850 modification/delivery as a science platform.

Core Responsibilities

• Operational control: ensure safe, efficient, and legally compliant flight operations; oversee PNNL and contractor pilots/dispatchers/crew while maintaining regulatory standards.
• Training and standardization: develop a comprehensive pilot training syllabus meeting FAA standards and science-mission standards (including sustained profiles and low-altitude operations); oversee initial/recurrent/upgrade pilot training, certification, and qualification programs.
• Science-profile procedures: develop/revise crew coordination procedures for science-specific profiles.
• SMS and safety: implement Safety Management System (SMS) to manage operational risk; serve as (and be qualified as) an Aviation Safety Officer.
• Manuals and daily execution: review/update/enforce the General Operations Manual (GOM); manage daily flight schedules, crew assignments, and dispatch operations; manage disruptions due to weather, mechanical issues, or ATC.
• External interface and business operations: act as liaison to FAA/NTSB/airport authorities as assigned; develop/manage annual flight operations budget; negotiate vendor contracts (fuel, ground handling, flight planning software) with Procurement; define hiring standards for flight crews.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 7 years of relevant experience
• Flight experience: 2,500+ hours PIC (airplanes), including 1,000+ hours PIC in turbine multiengine land; 300+ PIC hours in turbine multiengine land conducting international flights.
• 3+ years as a Pilot in Command (PIC) of a multiengine airplane in civil government/military/FAA (or equivalent)-certificated commercial operations.
• 3+ years in a senior flight-ops leadership role (Director of Operations/Chief Pilot/or equivalent) in civil government/military/FAA (or equivalent)-certificated commercial operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Type rating: able to complete an FAA-approved CL-65 type-rating course and earn the type rating.
• Certificates/medical: unrestricted FAA ATP (AMEL); FAA CFI and CFII (AMEL); FAA Class II medical and ability to hold Class I (annual for international ops); hold or be eligible for unrestricted ATP for aircraft operated by PNNL.
• Government flight operations experience; special-mission modified transport-category PIC experience.
• Experience implementing/managing SMS, IS-BAO, and aviation safety programs; IS-BAO workshop completion (or ASO program graduation); GSA ICAP Federal Aviation Safety Officer certification.
• Unrestricted FAA-issued CL-65 type rating; working knowledge of aviation operations and maintenance practices; experience leading/managing an aviation unit; basic understanding of FAA modification/approval; mishap investigation, emergency preparedness, aviation safety, and human factors; knowledge of public aircraft operations regulations/standards; strong written/verbal communication (including public speaking/presentations).
• Experience conducting and supervising Part 91 ("general operating rules") flight operations.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Travel up to 25%; deployments up to six weeks.
• Physical requirements: stand up to 8 hours per day; bend, stretch, crawl, and climb ladders to access all aircraft areas.

Additional Information

This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $194,900.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $329,000.00/Yr.