ACUASI Director of Operations

***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***
The UAF Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) is recruiting for a Director of Operations to manage operations, personnel functions, and help safely integrate UAS into the National Airspace System. ACUASI is a world leader in the UAS field, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the UAS industry to help develop, test and prove equipment and techniques to allow the use of UAS for a variety of missions such as cargo delivery, infrastructure monitoring, and mammal surveys. The successful candidate will lead the day to day operations collaborating with a diverse group of scientists, pilots, engineers, and project managers. Salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

The Director of Operations is a fast paced roll in multiple unit coordination, responsible for safe overview and direction of all ACUASI Flight and Engineering efforts. Working directly with Engineers and Pilots across a vast diversity of topics from scientific missions with stringent data polices to long term enduring projects regarding UAS Integration into the airspace. You will have direct authority over ensuring projects and grants are completed in a timely and effective manner, and be responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance in all aspects of daily ACUASI operations. The Director of Operations will be surrounded by key staff to assist you in this role, and to provide guidance through experience and mentorship in our unique departmental culture. ACUASI's Goal is the complete integration of UAS (Drones) into the airspace, and as the Director of Operations you will have a tip of the spear roll in ensuring that we carve this new and emerging pathway for aviation.

To thrive in this roll, you must possess good interpersonal skills and the ability to work across cultural and interpersonal issues with staff and external agencies. A deep understanding of aviation and aviation safety culture. A willingness to learn and continue to grow in this ever changing field. Lastly a commitment to the advancement of UAS technology and development through emerging technologies and safe aviation practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks Alaska. This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 83, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on October 29, 2024, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE October 28, 2024.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Kenna Metivier, Signers' Business Office Assistant HR Manager at kjmetivier@alaska.edu or 907-474-1847

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.