Air Transportation Specialist III

Summary: 

Oversees and coordinates cargo operations at multiple airfields operated by the US Antarctic Program (USAP).  

Position Responsibilities: 

• Oversees the safe loading and unloading of various aircraft operated by Kenn Borek Air (KBA), US Air Force (USAF), NY Air National Guard (NYANG), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), and other contracted airlift providers, while maintaining operational control of ATO resources on the aircraft ramp. 

• Supervises functions including loading and unloading aircraft, operating automated and manual materials handling equipment, and maintaining records on passenger and cargo movement by airlift, including updating mission documents as necessary. 

• Maintains productive relations with all aircrews and NYANG personnel. 

• Serves as primary Point of Contact (POC) for aircraft loading/unloading operations, coordinating with flight crews, cargo staff, and vehicle operators. 

• Performs quality checks on all cargo loads in preparation for aircraft loading. 

• Verifies eligibility of cargo and mail offered for airlift. Ensures all cargo documentation, packaging, labeling and marking requirements have been met. 

• Selects, assembles, palletizes, and transports aircraft cargo loads to and from aircraft and storage areas. 

• Checks arriving cargo against manifest, and documents overage, shortage, or damage. 

• Secures cargo with appropriate devices and equipment adhering to current US Air Force (USAF) regulations. 

• Follows safety and security precautions for handling and storing dangerous materials, special cargo, mail, and passenger baggage. 

• Understands proper loading and compatibility of hazardous material according to military and/or commercial transportation regulations. 

• Assumes supervisory responsibility at the airfield(s) in the absence of the Airfield Shift Supervisor. 

• Supervises rotating cargo teams during airfield operation and provides feedback on performance, including input for end-of-season evaluations. 

• Conducts quality control of practices throughout the cargo movement and pallet building process. 

• Reports all incurred damage to cargo or equipment immediately to Shift Supervisor for further documentation. 

• Trains cargo teams and other departments, as required, on airfield procedures and provides individual training as necessary. 

• Conducts and documents daily maintenance checks on automated and manual material handling equipment, including pallet jacks, forklifts, cargo loading sleds, Delta III transport vehicles, passenger vans, and pick-up trucks. 

• Maintains and reviews procedures for loading passenger and cargo aboard aircraft, and for preparing cargo records. 

• Maintains a safe workplace and ensures that safety is the highest priority in the workplace. 

• Attends and/or presents daily/weekly safety meetings. 

• Maintains and performs required preventative maintenance and inventory of tie-down equipment, including 463L Air Force pallets, cargo straps and nets, chains and tensioners. 

• Identifies, prepares and labels damaged aircraft pallets and tie-down equipment for shipment to CONUS or Christchurch, New Zealand. 

• Performs other duties as required. 

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses: 

• High School diploma or equivalent 

• Minimum of two years’ experience in freight movement, including documenting, expediting, tracking, and hazardous material transportation. 

• Airfield operations experience. 

Expected Skills and Competencies: 

• Ability to work effectively in a team environment. 

• Knowledge of passenger and cargo movement functions, including transport aircraft types, capabilities, and configurations; weight and balance factors; airlift transportation directives and documentation; cargo securing techniques; operation of material handling and other types of loading equipment or devices; and interpreting and following aircraft load plans. 

Preferred: 

• Class “A” Driver’s license issued in the United States 

• One year of supervisory or leadership experience. 

• Familiarity with automated data processing/cargo tracking programs such as MAXIMO, ICODES, and Microsoft Office 2016 software within the Microsoft Windows Operating System. 

• Working knowledge of US Air Force loading regulations (dash 9). 

• Previous experience with remote site and/or polar logistics operations. 

Physical and/or Other Requirements: 

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods  

• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica 

• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer 

• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF 

• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.  

• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.  

• Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.  

• Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States 

• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.