Aviation Maintenance Program Director/Instructor

New River Community and Technical College•Ghent, WV

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a full-time, non-classified position with full state benefits and is exempt from FLSA provisions regarding overtime. The role involves directing the overall operation, administration, and continuous improvement of the Aviation Maintenance Technician Program, ensuring compliance with 14 CFR Part 147 and other applicable regulations. The position requires establishing and maintaining a curriculum aligned with FAA Airman Certification Standards, coordinating course scheduling and delivery, and providing leadership to faculty and staff. Responsibilities include overseeing student learning and records, maintaining facilities and equipment, managing budgets, and serving as a liaison with the FAA and other stakeholders. The role also involves supporting student success, participating in institutional activities, and potentially teaching in other areas based on institutional need and qualifications. A strong emphasis is placed on FAA and Regulatory Compliance Oversight, ensuring readiness for inspections, maintaining accurate records, and promoting a culture of safety and accountability. Instruction responsibilities include developing instructional materials, planning and organizing instruction, and providing timely feedback to students.

Requirements

Current FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic certification - Required
Bachelor's degree in aviation, aviation maintenance, technical education, education, business, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
At least 5 years of practical aviation maintenance experience, including knowledge of 14 CFR Part 147; supervisory, lead, or program coordination experience sufficient to direct personnel, operations and compliance.
Demonstrated ability to support high-quality technical instruction, laboratory/shop training, and student learning in an aviation maintenance environment.
Experience with active learning curriculum development, online or hybrid instructional technology, and assessment of student outcomes.
Valid Driver's license - Required
Strong Planning and Execution skills to include ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule business engagement activities to meet department goals and deadlines.
Effective Communication skills to include Active listening skills leading to appropriate sales techniques and oral and written correspondence and presentations.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in matters involving students, personnel, records, and institutional operations.
Foster a respectful, ethical, inclusive, and collaborative learning and work environment.
Participate in ongoing professional development related to aviation maintenance, FAA compliance, safety, instructional practice, and leadership.
Strong communication, organization, documentation, budgeting, collaboration, and problem-solving skills; proficiency with standard office and instructional software.
Experience building partnerships, recruiting students, managing grants/equipment projects, or leading strategic program growth.
Self-Directed, ability to work independently while following directives from college leadership.

Nice To Haves

Additional aviation or instructional relevant to program leadership - Preferred

Responsibilities

Direct the overall operation, administration, and continuous improvement of the Aviation Maintenance Technician Program.
Ensure the AMTS operates in accordance with current 14 CFR Part 147, approved operations specifications, institutional requirements, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and policies.
Establish, maintain, and oversee a curriculum designed to continually align with the Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards (ACS), as appropriate to the ratings held by the school.
Coordinate course scheduling, instructional sequencing, laboratory activities, and delivery at the primary location and any FAA-approved additional training locations.
Provide leadership to faculty, instructional specialists, and other assigned staff, including hiring support, onboarding, mentoring, scheduling, observation, development, and performance management.
Ensure qualified instructors are assigned to all courses and shop/laboratory activities and that the student-to-instructor ratio in any shop class does not exceed FAA limits.
Oversee student learning, attendance, grading, academic documentation, and graduation records to ensure accurate, timely, and auditable reporting.
Monitor student preparedness for FAA testing and support continuous improvement efforts related to school outcomes, graduate readiness, and minimum FAA passage-rate expectations.
Maintain facilities, aircraft, equipment, tools, parts, instructional materials, and shop inventory in a safe, serviceable, and instructionally appropriate condition for the ratings held and the number of students enrolled.
Coordinate procurement, budgeting, asset stewardship, and expenditure tracking for aviation program operations in collaboration with institutional business and procurement offices.
Support and document internal quality assurance, accreditation activities, corrective action processes, and any FAA-required inspections, reviews, or records requests.
Serve as the primary or delegated program liaison with the FAA, institutional leadership, accrediting bodies, business and industry partners, secondary schools, community stakeholders, and economic development entities.
Lead outreach, marketing, and recruitment efforts; participate in tours, presentations, and public engagement that promote aviation career pathways and program enrollment.
Develop and sustain articulation opportunities, employer partnerships, apprenticeship or internship relationships where appropriate, and other initiatives that strengthen workforce alignment.
Advise and support students, including civilian and military-connected learners, by helping connect them with institutional services, career opportunities, and pathways to completion.
Participate in required institutional meetings, committee work, commencements, professional development, compliance training, and other duties consistent with the role.
Maintain readiness for FAA surveillance, inspection, and review of the school's locations, records, curriculum, personnel qualifications, facilities, equipment, and materials.
Ensure the school issues authenticated completion documentation and other authorized records in accordance with FAA requirements.
Oversee the systems and procedures used for attendance, final course grades, recordkeeping, instructor sufficiency, credit issuance, graduation documentation, and corrective action for identified deficiencies.
Coordinate updates to curriculum, policies, procedures, and operational practices when FAA regulations, guidance, standards, or institutional requirements change.
Promote a culture of safety, documentation integrity, instructional consistency, and regulatory accountability across the aviation program.
Develop instructional materials; plan and organize instruction to enhance student learning; prepare the syllabi; and teach classes in a way that encourages student learning.
Meet classes as scheduled.
Be accessible to students through e-mail, phone, or scheduled office hours or at other times.
Evaluate student work and maintain accurate records of students’ academic standing.
Provide students with constructive, encouraging, and corrective feedback in a timely manner.
Respect the confidentiality of student information; refrain from discussing or releasing such information except within recognized limits.
Complete compliance training routinely and within timelines.
Participate in additional professional development opportunities through professional organization affiliations.