Aviation Safety Coordinator

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.
• Cook up emergency preparedness, response planning, and safety-related exercises.
• Serve on university, school, and program committees as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and flexible benefits
• Retail retirement plan with 6% matching
• Compensation packages
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Internal and state-sponsored training
• Reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions
• Relocation benefits per university’s guidelines.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, or a related field; or six years of demonstrated experience in aviation safety management or organizational safety leadership; or an Associate’s degree and four years of demonstrated experience in aviation safety management or organizational safety leadership.
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a related aviation field.
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a related aviation field.
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a related aviation field.
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a related aviation field.
• Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, 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.