Aviation Safety Coordinator

South
Dakota State University Aviation seeks an experienced and collaborative safety
professional to serve as Aviation Safety Coordinator. As the program’s primary
safety leader, this position provides oversight and continuous improvement of
the Aviation Safety Management System (SMS), coordinates risk management and
safety assurance activities, and promotes FAA-aligned safety practices across
all aviation operations. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, and
operational personnel, the Aviation Safety Manager fosters a culture of safety,
supports regulatory compliance, and advances operational excellence throughout
the SDSU Aviation program. The Aviation Safety Manager reports directly to the
Director of the School of Health and Human Sciences and works collaboratively
with aviation faculty, staff, and operational personnel to support the safety
mission of the SDSU Aviation Program. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota and is a 12-month,
full-time, benefits-eligible position. 

SDState is the state’s largest, most
comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures,
more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000
students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families,
students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of
attractions and activities.

The Aviation program,
housed within the School of Health and Human Sciences in the College of
Education and Human Sciences, serves approximately 250 undergraduate students
and is supported by three full-time faculty members and seven full-time staff.
Accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), the
program has established a strong regional reputation for producing highly
qualified, professionally focused aviation graduates.

Must be authorized to work in the
U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead,
  administer, assess, and continuously improve the Aviation Safety
  Management System (SMS).
• Oversee
  hazard identification, safety reporting, risk assessment, investigations,
  audits, and safety assurance activities.
• Monitor
  and analyze safety performance data to identify trends, mitigate risks,
  and support operational improvements.
• Promote a
  proactive, positive safety culture through training, communication, and
  engagement with students, faculty, staff, and operational personnel.
• Collaborate
  with aviation and university leadership to support safety initiatives,
  regulatory compliance, accreditation requirements, and organizational
  decision-making.
• Serve as
  the primary aviation safety resource, providing recommendations on risk
  management, safety performance, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain
  safety records, reporting systems, documentation, and required program
  metrics.
• Coordinate
  emergency preparedness, response planning, and safety-related exercises.
• Support
  accreditation, assessment, quality improvement, recruitment, retention,
  outreach, and other program initiatives.
• Participate
  in limited flight-related activities, including flight instruction, as
  appropriate to support safety initiatives and maintain operational
  awareness.
• Serve on
  university, school, and program committees as assigned.

SALARY RANGE:

The
salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, starting at $95,000.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical,
dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid
holidays, and vacation leave. We offer
a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave
each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees
also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced
tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic
institutions. Relocation benefits are
available per university’s guidelines. 

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s
  degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, Higher
  Education, Business Administration or a related field completed by start
  date.
• Minimum
  of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation
  safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a
  related aviation field.
• Demonstrated
  knowledge of aviation safety principles, risk management practices, and
  regulatory compliance.
• Current,
  or ability to obtain, FAA Flight Instructor Certification.
• Experience
  working within the aviation industry.
• Ability
  to analyze data, identify trends, and develop recommendations for
  continuous improvement.
• Ability
  to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students and
  operational personnel.
• Excellent
  verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid
  drivers license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s
  degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, Higher
  Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience
  developing, implementing, or managing a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Experience
  conducting safety investigations, audits, risk assessments, or safety
  assurance activities.
• Knowledge
  of FAA regulations applicable to flight training and collegiate aviation
  environments.
• Experience
  in an FAA Part 141 flight training program.
• Experience
  in higher education or collegiate aviation.
• Current
  FAA Flight Instructor Certification (CFI).
• Additional
  FAA certificates or ratings.
• Experience
  with accreditation, assessment, regulatory compliance, or quality
  assurance processes.
• Experience
  developing and delivering safety training programs.
• Demonstrated
  ability to lead safety initiatives and influence organizational
  decision-making through collaboration, communication, and data-informed
  recommendations.
  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 

Position closes 06/24/2026.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDState accepts applications through an on-line
employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by
the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the
electronic application form. This employment site
will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically
address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the
advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact
information for three professional references. 
Email applications will not be accepted. 
Please
contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance
with this process. 

Any offer of employment is contingent on the
university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law
and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion
of a criminal background check.  

SDState is a tobacco
free environment.   It is the policy of
the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish,
promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees
and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s
Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For
questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Maria Julius, at Maria.Julius@sdstate.edu or 605-688-4366.  

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