Range Control Officer

Cayuse Holdings•Fallon, NV

About The Position

The Range Control Officer (RCO) serves as the central real-time safety contact for air and ground users of the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. The RCO enforces applicable range manuals, procedures, plans, and work instructions, and safely deconflicts live-fire and non-live-fire air and ground training while maintaining restricted-airspace integrity. The position monitors range activity, coordinates with military and other agencies, supports scheduling, collects range-use data, and maintains operational records at an assigned watch station in the Range Operations Center. The RCO maintains positive control of ground users and situational awareness of air traffic, using radar, communications, and surveillance video systems to detect unsafe conditions. The officer may declare a range red, notify affected personnel, and use the Public Address Warning System to direct evacuations. The role also coordinates emergency responses, verifies ordnance and range-clearance requirements, and reports safety incidents promptly, including formal written incident documentation. The RCO provides training to newly hired personnel until they are qualified and conducts periodic recurring training. The position requires sound judgment, technical expertise, and the ability to resolve complex safety and scheduling conflicts. The typical work environment is an office, with routine travel to remote site facilities potentially involved. Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds and constant sitting, visual review, communication, and mental alertness are specified.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Documented military or civilian Air Traffic Control experience with radar supervisory experience in a TRACON or CATCC facility, or experience as an Operations Specialist with Air Intercept Controller qualification, a qualified tactical aircrew member, or a C2 platform aircraft.
Thorough knowledge of FRTC special-use airspace and restricted areas, FAA/Department of the Navy Memorandums of Agreement, and the ability to interpret higher-authority guidance and adapt applicable portions for local use.
Thorough familiarity with NAVSTKAIRWARCENTINST 3700 series, ground-firing weapons procedures, approved ordnance, delivery profiles, target sets, and check-in/check-out procedures.
Proficiency using military or FAA radar systems and two-way radio communications.
Working knowledge of standard NATO code words and familiarity with radio traffic common to military aviation.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Complete the RCO operations training package within six months of employment assignment.
Must be a U.S. citizen and obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance.
Must demonstrate planning and organizing skills and the ability to work under deadlines.
Must be able to maintain constant mental alertness and use sight, speech, and hearing abilities for job duties.
Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree.
Familiarity with airspace management and control.
Ability to organize and conduct tours for agencies and users to reinforce safe-operation policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Serve as the real-time safety contact for FRTC air and ground users and enforce applicable range manuals, procedures, plans, and work instructions.
Safely deconflict live-fire and non-live-fire air and ground training events while maintaining restricted-airspace integrity.
Coordinate with military and other agencies regarding aviation and ground operations that may affect scheduled range operations.
Review and coordinate range and squadron schedules, maintain accurate daily scheduling information, and resolve same-day conflicts.
Collect daily bombing-range usage data and maintain the watch log, including significant events, ground-user access, and ground-munitions expenditures.
Monitor air and ground activity using radar, communications, and surveillance video systems, and maintain situational awareness of FRTC air traffic.
Maintain positive control of ground users and separate and deconflict ground access.
Declare a bombing range red when an unsafe condition is detected, notify affected personnel, and use the Public Address Warning System to provide evacuation directives.
Coordinate aircraft access to restricted airspace and bombing ranges with Air Traffic Control and provide advisory traffic calls on range-control frequencies.
Receive user check-in and check-out reports, verify ordnance authorization for the relevant targets and ranges, and ensure ranges are clear and a Range Safety Officer is identified before authorizing ordnance delivery or laser operations.
Serve as Emergency Response Coordinator and coordinate and facilitate emergency response within FRTC range boundaries.
Report safety and other significant incidents to the appropriate Range Office personnel and prepare formal written incident reports within the required timeframe.
Ensure range activities comply with applicable instructions, procedures, plans, rules of engagement, standard operating procedures, and work instructions.
Train newly hired personnel until qualified and conduct periodic recurring training on range procedures, actions, and knowledge.