Deputy Project Manager, Flight Operations & Transportation

GARDAWORLD FEDERAL SERVICES•El Paso, TX

21d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Project Manager, Flight Operations & Transportation is responsible for the safe, secure, compliant, and efficient execution of flight operations and ground transportation supporting detainee movements. Reporting to the Project Manager, this position provides operational leadership across airfield/tarmac activities, transportation dispatch and execution, fleet readiness, personnel deployment, custody transfers, and mission coordination between the detention facility, assigned airfield(s), and other approved destinations. The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) serves as the senior operational leader for the Flight Operations and Transportation functions and is responsible for ensuring scheduled and no-notice missions are properly staffed, equipped, coordinated, documented, and executed in accordance with contract requirements, applicable ICE/DHS standards, transportation requirements, and company policies. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong operational judgment, disciplined execution, and the ability to manage complex, time-sensitive missions in a highly regulated environment.

Requirements

Must be a United States citizen.
Eight (8)+ years of progressive experience in detention, corrections, secure transportation, aviation/flight operations, law enforcement, logistics, or comparable high-accountability operations, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role.
Demonstrated experience leading transportation operations, including dispatch, vehicle/fleet readiness, driver or transport-officer supervision, staffing, scheduling, and mission execution.
Working knowledge of detainee transportation, chain of custody, restraint use, incident response, and emergency procedures in a secure custodial environment.
Working knowledge of applicable DOT/FMCSA requirements for commercial passenger transportation, including CDL/driver qualification, Hours-of-Service, and drug/alcohol testing requirements, where applicable.
Experience developing and implementing SOPs, post orders, staffing models, KPIs, corrective actions, and operational controls.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated sound judgment in high-consequence, time-sensitive environments.
Ability to work effectively with government representatives, contracting personnel, detention leadership, aircraft operators, airport authorities, law enforcement, subcontractors/vendors, and internal support functions.
Strong written communication skills and ability to produce accurate, audit-ready operational reports, incident documentation, and contract deliverables.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Must be able to obtain and maintain all background, suitability, licensing, airport access/badging, and other credentials required by the contract and assigned duties.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Transportation, Logistics, Aviation Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Experience supporting ICE Air Operations, federal detainee/prisoner transportation, aircraft-side custody transfers, or comparable secure air-transport operations.
Experience with fleet management/telematics, dispatch, camera/evidence, detention management, and reporting systems.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of Flight Operations and Transportation, including tarmac operations, dispatch, drivers, transport officers, supervisors, mission staging, and associated support personnel.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee detainee transportation between the detention facility, assigned airfield(s), medical appointments, courts, transfer locations, and other authorized destinations in accordance with mission requirements.
Serve as the senior contractor operational authority for aircraft-side/tarmac activities, coordinating staging, escort, restraint verification, boarding, deplaning, custody transfer, and movement between ground transportation and aircraft.
Coordinate closely with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Air Operations (IAO), the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), aircraft operators, airport/FBO personnel, and other government or law-enforcement partners as required for mission execution.
Develop and maintain integrated daily and surge transportation plans, including staffing, shift schedules, vehicle assignments, dispatch coverage, mission sequencing, contingency staffing, and 24/7/on-call coverage as required.
Ensure transport vehicles are mission-ready and appropriately configured, including required safety equipment, restraints, cameras, GPS/telematics, communications equipment, and other contract-required systems.
Oversee fleet readiness and coordinate preventive maintenance, inspections, repairs, vehicle substitutions, fueling, and escalation of out-of-service or safety-related conditions to minimize mission disruption.
Ensure CDL, DOT medical card, driver qualification, Hours-of-Service, drug/alcohol testing, and other applicable transportation requirements are maintained for personnel and operations within scope.
Establish and enforce chain-of-custody, detainee accountability, manifest reconciliation, restraint accountability, property handling, medication/travel-document custody, and required movement documentation.
Conduct or ensure completion of pre-mission briefings addressing manifests, special-management detainees, restraint levels, seating and vehicle plans, communications, emergency procedures, contingency assignments, and post responsibilities.
Ensure airfield/ramp activities comply with applicable airport authority, FAA, TSA, aircraft-operator, and site-specific safety and security requirements, including SIDA/AOA access and escort controls where applicable.
Maintain operational readiness for delays, weather diversions, vehicle breakdowns, aircraft changes, medical emergencies, security incidents, staffing shortfalls, and other no-notice mission changes; develop and rehearse appropriate contingency plans.
Ensure compliance with applicable ICE/DHS detention and transportation standards, including the National Detention Standards (NDS) 2026, PREA requirements, use-of-force requirements, company policies, contract requirements, and federal, state, and local regulations within the scope of Flight Operations and Transportation.
Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and accountability for supervisors and staff; ensure personnel maintain required training, licensing, certifications, clearances, and qualifications.
Monitor operational performance and establish controls and metrics for mission completion, on-time performance, staffing fill, fleet availability, vehicle readiness, incident rates, custody accuracy, documentation compliance, and corrective-action closure.
Review incidents, accidents, vehicle or aircraft-side safety events, use-of-force events, custody discrepancies, and service failures; ensure timely escalation, reporting, root-cause review, and corrective action.
Support contract deliverables, inspections, audits, government reporting, corrective action plans, and performance reviews related to Flight Operations and Transportation.
Manage transportation-related operating costs, including overtime, fuel, maintenance, rentals, and other mission expenses, in coordination with the Program Manager and Finance.
Identify and implement improvements to dispatch, routing, staffing, fleet utilization, mission handoffs, documentation, and operating procedures to improve safety, reliability, compliance, and cost effectiveness.
Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs, post orders, transportation procedures, emergency response protocols, and other operational controls necessary to sustain a safe and compliant operation.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and mission requirements.