Essential responsibilities

Aerostat operators provide operations and sustainment (O&S) support for the Persistent Surveillance Systems – Tethered (PSS-T) program in OCONUS site locations. PSS-T is comprised of former Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) and Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) programs.

Position will require 6-week training TDY to Elizabeth City, South Carolina.

Aerostat operators and user-level maintainers will participate in the overall, hands-on operation of the aerostat system including launch, in-flight, recovery, and moored activities.

Candidates will perform all functions to operate the PGSS/PTDS, an aerostat mounted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, its mobile mooring platform (MMP), sensor payload(s), communications and navigation systems as well as associated support equipment (boom lift, forklift, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and electrical power generators).

Candidates will perform user-level maintenance functions including performing hands-on preventative maintenance checks and services (PMCS), troubleshooting, removing and replacing line replaceable units (LRUs), and removing and replacing payloads.

Candidates must possess a diverse range of skills with the ability to quickly adapt to new situations. Tasks will be performed under direction of higher classified technicians and/or site personnel.

Minimum requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Two-year associate’s degree in a technical field from an accredited college can substitute for work experience.
• Must have an active Secret US government clearance. Note: US citizenship is required to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Must have a valid U.S. passport with a minimum of one year remaining.
• Must have valid US driver’s license.
• Knowledge of and experience in the operations of hardware systems and components.
• Experience in fault detection, isolation, and correction of hardware systems and individual components.
• Ability to perform routine system maintenance and analysis functions including hardware configurations; adding, removing and replacing hardware components; use of hardware and software diagnostic testing tools; reading of electronic circuit schematics; and repairing printed circuit boards.
• At least one (1) year previous aerostat experience or two (2) years of experience in the following areas may be substituted in lieu of aerostat experience:

1) Electrical maintenance mechanic

• Possess at least two (2) years aerostat experience as an operator at the 20 series level or greater from Army MOS 35F (Intelligence Analyst), 35G (Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst), 35H (Common Ground System Analyst), 96R (Ground Surveillance Systems Operator), 96U (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator), or military branch equivalent.
• Two years of hands-on experience in performing operations and maintenance tasks either on an aerostat system or a related industry/military equivalent is required.
• Must be qualified at the 10 series or greater level (via military or civilian technical schools) is required.
• Ability to read electronic schematics.
• Operations and maintenance of electro-mechanical equipment to include one or more of the following:
  • Hydraulic/servo valves
  • Hydraulic actuators, control systems
  • Test and diagnostic equipment

2) Networking, IT & information systems

• Two years’ experience is required.
• Must be qualified at the 10 series or greater level; MOS 25B/F or other military branch equivalent or industry occupational specialties as a CISCO network administrator; Army MOS 25L/N or other military branch equivalent or industry occupational specialties as a network installation (BICSI or Network+ or Comp T Certification) will be considered.
• CCIE certification with fiber optic certification is preferred.

3) Mechanical maintenance

• Mechanical maintenance with qualifications at the 10 series or greater from U.S. Army MOS 94D/X and 91/B/S/W or other military branch equivalent, or industry occupational specialties such as National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Truck Mechanic or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Mechanic 1 or greater.
• Two years of hands-on experience on an aerostat system or a related industry/military equivalent is required.
• Operations and maintenance of mechanical equipment to include one or more of the following:
  • Hydraulic systems
  • Winch systems
  • Tether/cable handling systems
  • Industrial generator sets
  • Power switch gear
  • HVAC
  • Cranes, aerial lift, forklift
  • Industrial generator sets

Physical requirements

• Requires the ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires the ability to regularly climb extension ladders, roof ladder, stepladders, and stairs at least 10 times during shift.
• Requires the flexibility to bend/stoop, squat repetitively during shift.
• Requires the ability to regularly kneel repetitively for shift.
• Requires the ability to move in a 90-degree fashion on a repetitive basis for shift.
• Requires the ability to stretch/reach on a repetitive basis for shift.
• Requires the ability to walk extensively throughout the plant during shift.
• Requires the ability to interact with all clients in a professional and friendly manner despite periods of stress.

Medical requirements

• Successfully complete and pass the medical and dental examinations as required for deployment.
• Must maintain physical and dental requirements for the duration of the deployment.

Working and living conditions

This position may be located in a war zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environment. Temperatures can reach 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit (50-55 degrees Celsius) during the summer months.

Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this austere, extreme environment, as well as willing and able to deploy to CENTCOM, EUCOM, and AFRICOM for extended periods.

Work schedules are a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day, while some jobs have higher daily and weekly minimums.