Dispatcher

Private Company; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A key aviation service provider is seeking a Dispatcher – Government Operations in Arlington, Virginia. In this role, you will oversee air mission activities in collaboration with government partners. You will be responsible for ensuring safe and compliant dispatch procedures, managing mission planning and execution, and maintaining regulatory standards. The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of FAA regulations, excellent communication skills, and at least 3 years of relevant experience, ideally in high-pressure operational environments.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in flight dispatch, mission coordination, or aviation operations.
• Proven experience in high-tempo operational environments.
• Must possess a Secret or TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all air mission activities involving government partners.
• Approve releases and flight authorizations for missions.
• Ensure accurate tracking and documentation for operations.

Skills

Flight dispatch

Mission coordination

FAA regulations knowledge

Excellent communication

Risk assessment

Proficient in dispatch software

Education

FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate

Tools

Dispatch/operations software

Mission-tracking systems

Job description

Role Overview

The Dispatcher – Government Operations oversees and coordinates all air mission activities involving government partners, Public Aircraft Operations (PAO), and state‑declared aircraft. This role ensures safe, compliant, and efficient dispatching procedures while maintaining strict adherence to federal, state, and agency‑specific regulations. The Lead Dispatcher provides operational leadership, real‑time decision support, and acts as the primary communication link between flight crews, government agencies, and internal operational units.

Key Responsibilities

Government & PAO Operations Coordination

• Serve as dispatch authority for Public Aircraft Operations and state‑declared missions.
• Coordinate directly with government agencies, emergency services, law enforcement, and state aviation offices to validate mission requirements and ensure operational compliance.
• Verify PAO status and documentation for aircraft, crew, cargo, and mission profiles.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of FAA regulations, state aviation requirements, operational waivers, and legal distinctions between public and civil aircraft operations.

Mission Planning & Execution

• Conduct comprehensive flight planning including routing, weather analysis, aircraft performance, NOTAM review, TFR monitoring, and risk assessment.
• Approve releases and flight authorizations for government and PAO missions.
• Prioritize mission requests based on urgency, resource availability, safety considerations, and operational directives.
• Provide continuous operational control and flight following in accordance with agency standards.
• Manage escalations and coordinate with senior leadership during high‑impact and time‑critical missions.
• Facilitate regular briefings with flight crews, maintenance, and operations leadership.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure accurate, compliant tracking and documentation for all PAO and government operations.
• Maintain strict adherence to mission‑specific reporting requirements, data retention rules, and audit standards.
• Assist in developing and enforcing dispatch policies and procedures for special‑category aircraft operations.
• Oversee post‑mission reporting, incident documentation, and regulatory compliance records.

Operational Safety & Risk Management

• Conduct pre‑flight and in‑flight risk assessments for all state‑declared and PAO missions.
• Support Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives, hazard reporting, and trend monitoring.
• Ensure operations align with federal and state aviation safety directives, including NIMS/ICS guidelines during emergency deployments.
• Act as a resource for government mission risk mitigation and operational control decisions.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in flight dispatch, mission coordination, or aviation operations (government or PAO experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulations (including Part 91, PAO distinctions under 49 U.S.C. 40102 & 40125).
• Government/agency mission frameworks.
• Emergency operations and state aviation protocols.
• Proven experience in high‑tempo or mission‑critical operational environments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate across multiple agencies.
• Proficient in dispatch/operations software, mission‑tracking systems, and aviation communication tools.
• Must possess an active Secret (or TS/SCI) security clearance or be eligible to obtain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate or equivalent operational control experience.
• Experience working with law enforcement, emergency management, wildfire aviation, DHS, or state aviation offices.
• Background in special‑mission aviation (SAR, HAA, airlift, medevac, law enforcement, etc.).
• This position does not offer relocation assistance; local candidates are preferred.

Core Competencies

• Strong situational awareness and risk‑based decision making.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team in a dynamic operational environment.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and compliance discipline.
• Rapid problem‑solving in high‑pressure, multi‑agency operations.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Administrative
• Industries: Airlines and Aviation