Director, Operations

Job Title:  Director, Operations
Salary:  $129,300 - $149,300
Salary Family / Group:  Executive
Department:  Programs and Missions, Operations  
Location:  Remote
Reports To:  Chief Programs and Missions Officer / Michael Nunemaker
Position Type:  Full Time
Typical Hours:  40 Hours / Week
Required Travel:  Yes, <=20%
Contractor:  No
FLSA Status:  Exempt
Validation/Review Date:  19 June 2025

Job Summary:

The Director of Operations oversees the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) operations program areas and missions, managing the operations budget to support missions, training, and supply for the United States Air Force (USAF), as well as national, state, and local agencies and organizations. This role directs the training and evaluation of CAP's programs, including search and rescue, disaster relief, homeland security, homeland defense, drug interdiction, special missions, small unmanned aerial systems, and communications. Additionally, the Director supervises the CAP National Operations Center (NOC) and performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Oversees a team of program managers, operations specialists, and support staff, providing direction and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Conducts performance evaluations, provides feedback, and implements development plans to enhance individual and team performance.

Duties/Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Direct the Operations team in overseeing daily operations of CAP’s operations directorate program areas and missions, ensuring compliance with CAP operations and safety requirements, federal aviation regulations, and applicable standards and requirements of other government organizations and agencies CAP serves or supports.

• Ensure all operations adhere to environmental, legal, and organizational standards.

• Coordinate and manage USAF mission planning and execution, aligning with military requirements and objectives.

• Direct the development and implementation of operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of flight and ground-based operations.

• Manage budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation for the operations directorate.

• Analyze data and reports to identify trends, forecast needs, and address operational challenges.

• Serve as liaison between the organization and federal, state, and local agencies and other relevant entities for operations missions and programs.

• Coordinate and communicate appropriate agreements with federal agencies and partner organizations supporting operational missions; maintain relationships with federal agencies and partner organization counterparts.

• Oversee the development and revision of operations publications (regulations, standards, pamphlets, forms, etc.); communicate changes to impacted groups to manage programs effectively.

• Oversee the development and revision of training, standardization, and evaluation programs to support CAP's operational mission requirements.

• Prepare budget justifications for Air Force Staff and Congress; assist in developing the annual CAP Program Objective Memorandum input.

• Coordinate the collection and development of operational inputs to the CAP Annual Report to Congress.

• Brief CAP, CAP-USAF, Numbered Air Force, and Air Staff leadership on operational mission and program issues and requirements.

• Distribute and manage the operational mission, training, proficiency, flight evaluation, onboarding, return to flight, and subordinate unit inspection, budgets; assist the logistics directorate in distributing and managing consolidated maintenance mission funding.

• Assist the aerospace education directorate in managing the Teacher Orientation Program flight funding

• Assist the cadet programs directorate in managing youth aviation initiative funding.

• Oversee the development of the national-level annual training and flying plan for input and approval by the national commander; oversee the implementation of this plan at the national level; assist CAP wings and regions in developing and implementing their training and flying plans.

• Develop and implement Tables of Allowances for operational mission tools.

• Collaborate with other CAP Offices of Primary Responsibility (OPR) to market CAP's operational mission capabilities and resources to federal agencies and partner organizations; assist wings and regions in similar marketing at the regional, state, and local levels.

• Oversee implementation and/or development of systems tracking member mission qualifications and supporting mission operations tracking mission activities from the customer request through execution to closeout and after-action reviews. Coordinate with directorates overseeing systems supporting operations like accounting, aircraft maintenance, learning management, and resource tracking systems.

• Collaborate with appropriate OPRs and their staff members to develop and implement strategies to reduce operational risk.

Job Qualifications: 

• Must have a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, master’s degree preferred.

• Must have at least five years of demonstrated experience in flight operations (civilian, CAP, military, or government) and be well-versed in general aviation flying. Must also have at least 3 years of mission management experience (civilian, CAP, military, or government).

• Experience managing diverse teams with geographically separated members from varied disciplines and backgrounds, as well as experience managing volunteers, is desired.

• CAP or equivalent external mission-oriented aircrew experience is required. National Incident Management System experience desired.

• Must be familiar with 2 CFR Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, as they apply to areas of responsibility. Travel required, sometimes on short notice.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: 

This position is designated noncritical sensitive, as defined in DoD 5200.2R, requiring that a personnel security investigation be adjudicated for security eligibility. The incumbent must possess or have the ability to possess a Secret security clearance. The incumbent may also be issued a common access card (CAC) to facilitate access to military facilities.

To apply, submit a detailed resume via email to employment@capnhq.gov .   This position does not offer a relocation package.  In this position, Civil Air Patrol offers a 401(k)-retirement plan, health/dental insurance, paid life insurance, sick/vacation leave, paid holidays, optional short/long-term disability, vision, critical insurance, accident insurance, and flexible spending accounts.  Salary: $129,300 - $149,300.  Closing date: 19 June 2025.