Director of Flight Operations

Overview

Let your career take off with PSA Airlines

About PSA

PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and professional development. We value teamwork, diversity, and inclusivity and strive to create a safe, respectful, and happy work environment for our more than 4,000 employees. Our company culture, known as The PSA Way, is our foundation for operation and fosters stability, growth and a focus on the future while always placing safety at the forefront of everything we do. We are driven in our goals and achievements, eager to be better. We are reliable to one another and accountable for our actions. And we are caring in our daily interactions, with teammates, colleagues, and customers. Join our team to enjoy comprehensive benefits, including travel privileges on the American Airlines global network, so you can explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Benefits

PSA offers the benefits you expect from a company focused on excellence. All eligible team members enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Travel privileges on the American Airlines global network
• A generous vacation plan designed to let you enjoy your travel perks
• 401(k) with company match
• American Airlines Group (AAG) profit-sharing and bonus opportunities
• A choice of three health plan options, all with nationwide coverage with the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network
• Premium dental coverage
• Vision plan options provided, including a plan that covers both glasses and contacts every year    
• Benefits navigation services, including finding a doctor, scheduling an appointment, understanding your medical bills, and free second opinion services
• Access to 24-hour virtual urgent care services
• Family planning and fertility treatment
• LGBTQ+ friendly services including gender affirming care, assistance finding knowledgeable providers, and family planning
• Company-paid Life and AD&D Insurance, Short-term and Long-term Disability, and supplemental life insurance options for spouses and dependent children
• Flexible Spending Accounts for both Health Care and Dependent Care services
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program providing a range of services, including 5 free in-person sessions with a health care professional

Responsibilities

Position Summary

The Director of Flight Operations provides direction to assure Flight Operations achieves Company goals and objectives associated with safety, security, reliability, operational efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Provide leadership to ensure best practices in standards operating procedures and technical/regulatory compliance.

Job Responsibilities 

• Responsible and accountable for the duties and responsibilities required of the Director of Operations as required by FAA Part 119.65(a)(2).
• Ensure that PSA Flight Operations are conducted to the highest level of safety reasonable.
• Maintain and improve safety risk management processes within Flight Operations that support the principles of the Safety Management System (SMS) and this policy manual.
• Enforce departmental safety objectives, which support company goals through close coordination with the Company Safety Department.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with all standards established by PSA Airlines.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with all regulations established by the governing state authorities.
• Serve as the direct liaison between flight operations and the FAA/CAA on matters of mutual concern including, but not limited to operating specifications, de/anti-icing and operational concerns and act as a liaison with relevant external entities.
• Coordinate with Assistant Director of Operations Training and Delivery, to ensure operational safety and standardization of procedures.
• Through the supervision of the Manager of Flight Standards, ensure Flight Standards are upheld and Line Check Airman are well supported.
• Develop and implement strategies for communicating Company goals and department performance requirements to all department personnel.
• Recommend and communicate operational requirements to the Assistant Director of Flight Operations.
• Provide research and development, technical expertise, and coordination in the implementation of new equipment, procedures, and policies.
• Analyze new products to ensure regulatory compliance, safety enhancement, and operational benefits.
• Supervise, train, monitor, and assess staff member performance.
• Through the supervision of Assistant Director of Flight Technical, coordinate with Maintenance, vendors, and users to ensure an orderly introduction, standardization, and support of flight deck avionics equipment.
• Responsible for collaboration between Flight Operations and Flight Technical on operational, airframe and aircraft technology issues.
• Through Assistant Director of Flight Technical and external sources, ensure Flight Operations performance achieves Company goals and objectives associated with achieving the optimum air traffic environment in NextGen Airspace.
• Provide recommendations on new modifications to equipment and/or flight deck configurations.
• Provide research and development, technical expertise, and coordination in the implementation of new operations specifications.
• Disseminate operations specifications and support information to flight crew regarding flight operations.
• Work in conjunction with Director of Operations Control Center and Assistant Director of Maintenance Operations Control on Minimum Equipment List (MEL) revisions, Configuration Deviation List (CDL) revisions, and Deferred Maintenance Programs to ensure the most reliable operation possible.
• Coordinate the Basic Operating Weight procedures with the Directors of Inflight Services, Maintenance, Operations Control Center, Quality Assurance, and Technical Services.
• Coordinate the Aircraft Operational Performance procedures with Directors of Maintenance, Operations Control Center, and Technical Services.
• Identify and communicate training needs to the Training Department.
• Disseminate technical information to flight crews regarding flight operations, dispatch procedures, maintenance functions, and ground operations.
• Maintain and monitor the construction, content, content revision, currency, and distribution of the Pilot Operating Handbook, and Fleet Management publications.
• Maintain and monitor the construction, content, content revision, currency, and distribution of the Flight Operations Manual, and Flight Operations publications.
• Responsible for EFB Program through the Assistant Director of Flight Technical, Fleet Manager and EFB Specialist.
• Attend Director's Meeting and brief Executive Team as to current status of relevant areas of Flight Operations.
• Make recommendations for the flight operations operating and capital expense budgets.
• Implement, monitor, and review the results of the Company Internal Evaluation Program.
• Ensure corporate standards and affirmative action programs are communicated and implemented.
• Work closely with Labor Relations, Vice President Air Operations, and the Assistant Director of Flight
• Operations on matters that impact relationships with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
• The management of safety risks and security threats to the aircraft operations.
• Operations are conducted in accordance with conditions and restrictions of the Air
• Operator Certificate (AOC), and in compliance with applicable regulations and standards of the Operator.
• Responsible for the Company's Security and Safety Management System (SMS) and associated Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance outputs
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Specifics

Qualifications

Required

• Previous 119 authority.
• A pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with at least 2 years supervisory or managerial experience.
• Experience writing technical documents and/or periodical literature.
• Must meet Code of Federal Regulations, Part 119.67(a) qualification requirements to be the Part 119 Director of Operations. Must also meet Common Minimum Qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Be qualified for operations conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.
• 5-8 years' pilot experience with 3 years Pilot-In-Command Parts 135 or 121.
• Airline management experience or instructing background.
• Have a full understanding of the following with respect to the certificate holder's operation:
  • Aviation safety standards and safe operating practices.
  • All applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.
  • The certificate holder's operations specifications.
• Ability to speak/read/write in English.
• If hired, must be able to demonstrate that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Additional Information 

Supervisory Responsibility: This is a supervisory position.

Delegation: In absence, responsibilities delegated to Vice President of Operations.

Travel: Travel is required for this position.

Authorities:

• Responsible for overall operational control of the airline - can be delegated to the Chief Pilot.
• DE/Anti-icing program implementation and processes.
• Manage EFB Program - delegated responsibility to the Assistant Director of Flight Technical or Fleet Manager.
• Required Manual Systems - delegated responsibility to Assistant Director of Flight Technical.
• Operational Weight and Balance and Performance systems.
• Performance and Discipline of pilots.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, facsimile machines and filing cabinets. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb up and down stairs; lift weight up to 25 lbs; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. AAP/EEO Statement: PSA Airlines is an equal opportunity employer; qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Security Clearance: All employees are required to pass the fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) per 49CFR1542.209 as well as a pre-employment drug screen. Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.