Aviation Operations Specialist (Kenner, Louisiana, United States) - Entergy

Job Title: Aviation Operations Specialist

Work Place Flexibility: Onsite 

Legal Entity: Entergy Services, LLC 

Entergy Aviation began in 1927 with a 2-seat enclosed cabin modified biplane to a department today that manages the safe operation of all company-owned, contracted, and sub-contracted aviation equipment used for the expeditious business transport of Entergy personnel and for the operation, maintenance, and construction of the enterprise electric system. The five focus areas of the department are Aviation Corporate Jets, UAS Program, Safety & Governance, Maintenance, and Operations Control Center, comprising 20 team members. Entergy’s corporate jet division was the first corporate flight department in North America to achieve IS-BAO certification and the first flight department in the world to achieve Stage III in the IS-BAO system. The very heart of both the Aviation department and the enterprise of Entergy is the safety culture. Safety is a shared responsibility; and every team member always remains vigilant to assure a safe environment around aviation equipment and to ensure every passenger and employee returns home uninjured at the end of the day.

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE:

The Aviation Specialist will be the primary point of communication and coordination for UAS, Helicopter, and Fixed-wing aircraft pilots and managers regarding utility patrol flights released into the national airspace system.  It is the responsibility of this role to coordinate all schedule changes, updates, and travel needs effectively and efficiently between the managers, Lines of Business (LOB), and the aviation team. This role serves as the primary coordination center for all aviation operations across the enterprise. In addition to the duties above, the dispatcher will ensure coordination of safe operations among all aircraft operating by or on behalf of the Company. 

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the daily release and deconflictions of aviation assets, including helicopters, UAS, and Fixed-wing aircraft, to provide a safe and efficient operation for routine and non-routine patrols of utility transmission lines.
• Communicate directly with pilots to confirm flight details, including weather conditions, flight paths, and mission objectives to provide flight release for scheduled time block.
• Has joint responsibility with the PIC (Pilot in Command) for the safety and operational control of flights under their guidance.
• Oversees, manages, and directs flight operations in compliance with government and company regulations to expedite and ensure safety of flight. 
• Delays or cancels flights if unsafe conditions threaten the safety of their aircraft or passengers.
• Analyzes and evaluates meteorological information to determine potential hazards to safety of fight and to select the most desirable and economic route of flight. 
• Prepares flight plans and determines fuel requirements by considering aircraft type, flight dispatch, maintenance limits, weather, and operational conditions to ensure safe and compliant operations, while monitoring aircraft position reports for airspace deconfliction needs to evaluate flight progress.
• Abide by all company standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate with Line-Of-Business teams to align flight schedules with operational priorities and mission objectives.
• Aids all Aviation personnel with coordination of monthly metrics, budget reports, inputs, meetings, and deadlines.  
• Provides support to Dispatcher Lead as needed and performs in interim, duties and responsibilities of Aviation Dispatcher Lead in their absence.
• Supports Aviation Operations Control Center and Aviation Personnel with administrative and scheduling duties as needed.
• Communicates with pilots, executive assistants, and various support personnel to ensure complete and accurate comprehension of the complex and detail filled aspects of the Aviation Operations Control Center.
• Manages dynamic aircraft operations environment and cross functional reporting requirements including the scheduling and re-routing of corporate business jets, chartered aircraft, fixed and helicopter patrols and UAS solutions in response to the ever-changing and dynamic utility landscape.
• Committed to upholding Entergy’s Code of Integrity and aligned with Entergy’s Employee Practices.
• Other duties, as assigned or required.

Safety Focus

• Ensure ongoing, consistent, and reliable tracking of personnel assets assigned to the OCC both on the ground, and in the air via any and all means available, to include but not limited to MyAir, TracPlus, Google Earth, Satellite Phone, handheld radios/transceivers, etc. 
• Identify areas of operational inefficiency and propose/implement strategies and solutions to improve the overall scope and effectiveness of the OCC in support of existing and proposed/future projects. 
• Provide centralized, coordinated handling of, and dispatch response to emergencies as reported from the field.
• Actively contribute to daily, weekly, and other scheduled communications briefing and tailboards according to project needs and in support of ongoing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Call upon stop work authority when necessary and practice just culture at all times.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education and experience required of the position:

• 3+ years’ experience within Aviation operations, flight scheduling or dispatch with multiple aircraft types (Fixed wing, rotorcraft, etc.)
• Experience working in roles requiring coordination with pilots, maintenance, or operational teams is preferred
• Basic Understanding of FAA regulations and aviation operations, including flight planning and dispatching processes

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required of the position:

Familiar with FAA Regulations to include:   

• Part 91
• Fixed Base Operators
• UAS Part 107
• Helicopter/ fixed wing utility operations
  Familiar with: Bell 429
• Concepts of Entergy’s Flight Operation Manual   
• Aviation software programs to include but not limited to: MyAir Flight Scheduling Software, ForeFlight, Drone Logbooks, TracPlus, Concur Travel System, Amex GBT, Microsoft office suite, Power BI
• Aviation utility patrol operations

Any certificates, licenses, etc. required for the position:

• Licensed Dispatcher certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration
• UAS license preferred

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Primary Location: Louisiana-Kenner Louisiana : Kenner 
Job Function: All Other Jobs
FLSA Status:  
Relocation Option: No Relocation Offered
Union description/code:  
Number of Openings: 1
Req ID: 117155
Travel Percentage:Up to 25%

An Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Vets. Please click here to view the EEI page, or see statements below.

EEO Statement: The Entergy System of Companies provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Entergy System of Companies complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

The Entergy System of Companies expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of the Entergy System of Company employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

Accessibility: Entergy provides reasonable accommodations for online applicants. Requests for a reasonable accommodation may be made orally or in writing by an applicant, employee, or third party on his or her behalf. If you are an individual with a disability and you are in need of an accommodation for the recruiting process please click here and provide your name, contact number, the accommodation requested and the requisition number that you are requesting the accommodation for. Employee Services will contact you regarding your request.

Additional Responsibilities: As a provider of essential services, Entergy expects its employees to be available to work additional hours, to work in alternate locations, and/or to perform additional duties in connection with storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations as deemed necessary by the company. Exempt employees may not be paid overtime associated with such duties.

Entergy Pay Transparency Policy Statement: The Entergy System of Companies (the Company) will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Company’s legal duty to furnish information.  41 CFR 60-1.35(c). Equal Opportunity and Pay Transparency.

Pay Transparency Notice:

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (dol.gov)

The non-confidential portions of the affirmative action program for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans shall be available for inspection upon request by any employee or applicant for employment.  Please contact HRCompliance@entergy.com to schedule a time to review the affirmative action plan during regular office hours.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
As a provider of essential services, Entergy expects its employees to be available to work additional hours, to work in alternate locations, and/or to perform additional duties in connection with storms, outages, emergencies, or other situations as deemed necessary by the company. Exempt employees may not be paid overtime associated with such duties.

Please note: Authorization to work in the United States is a precondition to employment in this position. Entergy will not sponsor candidates for work visas for this position.