Pilot Training & Qualification Specialist

About the role

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is seeking an experienced Pilot Training & Qualification Specialist to join our team in Tysons, Virginia. This position focuses on policy areas related to pilot training and qualification, including air carrier training programs, student, private, commercial, instrument, multi-engine, and instructor certification. The specialist will represent ALPA and its committees in interactions with government and industry safety officials.

Responsibilities

• Provide staff coordination and liaison with government, industry, and professional stakeholders on behalf of ALPA's Air Safety Organization (ASO) and other Association committees, MECs, and National Officers.
• Develop and coordinate written communications to membership, government, and industry groups outlining ALPA positions on pilot training issues.
• Occasionally provide technical support to accident and incident investigations involving pilot training issues, FAA/TC pilot certificate enforcement action cases, and other safety investigations within the policy area(s).
• Travel up to 20% of the time, with up to 25% of the time potentially being local or national travel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation, aeronautical science, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Three (3) years of progressive experience in civil aviation pilot training, pilot qualification programs, regulatory compliance, or a closely related area, with five (5) or more years strongly preferred.
• Experience in U.S. and/or Canadian Aviation Regulations (FARs and CARs); national and international aviation standards related to pilot training and qualification.
• Pilot’s license with an instrument rating and/or special knowledge or applicable expertise in the aviation industry.
• Experience engaging with federal advisory committees, aviation rulemaking committees, or international aviation organizations (ICAO, IFALPA).
• Expert knowledge of pilot training and qualification requirements at the air carrier level, including ATP, type rating, First Officer Qualification, and recurrent training standards.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare guidance, training materials, policy summaries, and program documentation for pilot leadership use.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent high-priority projects under tight deadlines.
• Sound judgment and analytical thinking, with the ability to distill complex technical and regulatory information into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, support sensitive volunteer work, and navigate issues with professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and respond proactively to emerging needs or time-sensitive program issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Teams, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel).

Qualifications

• Strong time management skills; be able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment; and, transition easily between projects.
• Physical demands include constant operation of a computer/smartphone/tablet, sitting, standing, bending, reaching, moving about the office and the local metropolitan area, determining what others have said or written, and conversing with others and exchanging accurate information.

Benefits

• 401k Plan with Non-Elective Employer Contribution of 12% plus 2% contribution into a Market-Based Cash Balance Plan (MBCBP) after 180 days of employment.
• Generous health care benefits on day one – Aetna PPO Plan, Aetna High Deductible Health Plan, and a Kaiser HMO Plan (where available), which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision benefits for the employee, their spouse, and/or dependent children. Employees do not have to pay premiums if they enroll in the Aetna High Deductible Health Plan or the Kaiser HMO Plan.
• 15 days paid vacation and 13 holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year.
• Generous sick and bereavement leave.
• Competitive parental leave.
• Company-paid coverage for long term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment.
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts.
• Retiree health plan and a retiree health account (retiree HRA).
• Education Assistance Program that reimburses 100% of eligible expenses.
• Optional benefits include a legal plan, supplemental life insurance, college 529 plan, pet insurance, long term care insurance, and qualified transportation fringe benefits (where available).
• Partial remote work opportunities are available after six months of service.

Pay

Projected annual salary range: $97,948.00 – $139,923.00

Schedule

Full-time position