Salary/Position Classification

• $55,000+ annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week

Purpose of Position

The UAS Safety Lead position is responsible for supporting NPUASTS safety systems, industry standards and policy initiatives for the NPUASTS. This position will ensure the organization’s safety systems are supporting the safe execution of, and operational oversight of, UAS flights performed under the NPUASTS. This position will also support regulatory and policy trends for Unmanned Aircraft Systems to support NPUASTS clients and internal safety management. The UAS Safety Lead will report to the UAS Safety Manager to support all Test Site Directors in ensuring the safety systems, standards and policy are all supporting advanced UAS operational requests to appropriate regulatory agencies. Occasional travel will be required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the NPUASTS unmanned safety division
  • Support the UAS Safety Manager by providing the highest levels of aviation and safety standards for administration, management, employees and users of the NPUASTS.
  • Assist with ensuring safety is the primary objective during any operation of the Test Site by ensuring the operations at the Test Site are in accordance with process and procedures approved by the FAA.
  • Support all aspects of the NPUASTS SMS including:
    • Monitor the effectiveness of SMS
    • Initiate correction actions, when necessary
    • Provide safety reports on SMS performance on a periodic basis
    • Provide safety advice to top management and proposing corrective actions on safety related issues as needed, and
    • Ensure that safety-related documentation and records are available and up-to-date.
  • Support the Safety Management System with analyzing and generating safety data from Test Site operations including but not limited to:
    • Assist with conducting and coordinating in-depth analysis of unmanned aviation safety data
    • Assist with tracking and evaluating UAS flight trends and risks.
  • Support potential client calls via email and teleconferences, as required. 
• Support standards and industry activities
  • Assist in supporting multi-stakeholder standards and industry activities to include
    • Understanding the latest industry trends and upcoming technology
    • Align industry activities to multi-stakeholder standards
    • Formulate organizational plan to implement these technologies
    • Support flight safety by working with the organization to evaluate and improve upon safety systems and related supported procedures and materials.
  • Assist in providing information and content to support briefings with customers, legislators and policy makers.
• Technical content development
  • Support identifying and gathering essential information to be included in documents, or to be used as supporting materials.
  • Assist in writing clear, concise and detailed technical documents to be understandable by the user, including, but not limited to:
    • Documentation requests for FAA waivers, authorizations, and exemptions,
    • Concept of Operations,
    • Risk Assessments,
    • Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and
    • Contribute to conference presentations and associated materials
  • Use consistent application of styles and established layout plans within technical documents

Required Competencies

• 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 office setting.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service to a wide variety of clients.
• Proven ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Willingness and ability to travel, as required.
• Knowledge of FAA Guidance on Unmanned Aircraft.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, or associate degree with 3 years of equivalent aviation work experience, or 5 years of equivalent aviation work experience.
• Experience with Safety programs, Safety Risk Management, and/or Safety Management Systems.
• Experience writing technical documents such as reports, training curriculum, and/or policies.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• 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

• Aviation experience.
• Experience with Public Policy and/or regulatory initiatives.
• Experience obtaining waivers, exemptions, or authorization processes with the FAA.
• Possess a FAA Pilot’s License
• UAS Experience
• Flight test experience.
• Experience using and interpreting data from safety assessment management tools and/or software.