Aviation Operations Specialist

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

5d • $60,000 - $75,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is hiring a full-time, exempt, Contingent Category II contractual Aviation Operations Specialist for its Department of Aviation Sciences. The role supports the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation of the University's aviation programs. Assignment will be primarily to Flight Training or Aircraft Maintenance, depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and departmental needs. The position is based primarily at the UMES Aviation facility at Salisbury–Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (KSBY), with occasional duties at the main campus in Princess Anne, Maryland.

The specialist supports daily aviation operations, scheduling, dispatch, recordkeeping, regulatory compliance, safety activities, and departmental reporting. Depending on assignment and FAA qualifications, duties may include flight, ground, and simulator instruction or aircraft inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. The position is a staff contractual fixed-term role, open until filled, with a salary range of $60,000–$75,000.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, copies of relevant FAA certificates and ratings, and contact details for three current or past supervisors serving as professional references. A current supervisor will not be contacted without prior consent. The successful candidate must provide acceptable documentation of authorization to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and at least three years of related aviation experience.
• Candidates without a bachelor's degree may be considered with an associate degree, FAA certificates or ratings required for the assigned functional area, and at least four years of directly related aviation industry experience.
• Applicants must meet FAA certification requirements for at least one functional area: an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate and current FAA medical certificate appropriate to assigned duties for Flight Training, or an FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings for Aircraft Maintenance.
• Strong oral and written communication, organization, time-management, and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to work independently, coordinate aviation operations, and apply applicable procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and aviation scheduling, dispatch, training-record, or maintenance-tracking systems.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on operational needs.
• Knowledge of organizational principles and time-management practices.
• Skill in project management, including planning, coordinating, tracking progress, and completing initiatives within established timelines.
• Ability to analyze complex information, identify issues, and evaluate options.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Additional work experience may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis for up to four years.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in collegiate aviation or an FAA Part 141 environment.
• Experience with aviation Safety Management Systems, regulatory compliance, or audits.
• For Flight Training: CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, or other advanced instructor qualifications.
• For Aircraft Maintenance: Inspection Authorization.
• An associate degree plus the required FAA credentials and at least four years of directly related aviation industry experience may be considered in place of a bachelor's degree.

Responsibilities

• Support daily aviation operations, scheduling, dispatch, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain student training, aircraft, maintenance, and operational records as applicable.
• Support FAA Part 141 documentation, inspections, audits, accreditation activities, and departmental reporting.
• Support the Department's Safety Management System and related safety activities.
• Track aircraft availability, maintenance status, student progress, and other operational information.
• Coordinate with instructors, maintenance personnel, vendors, airport personnel, and University offices.
• Perform certificated aviation duties within the privileges and limitations of FAA certificates held.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• For Flight Training assignments, provide flight, ground, and simulator instruction; support student training records, scheduling, dispatch, and TCO compliance; and conduct progress or stage checks when appropriately qualified and authorized.
• For Aircraft Maintenance assignments, perform or assist with aircraft inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair; maintain maintenance, inspection, and Airworthiness Directive compliance records; and support maintenance scheduling, parts, tooling, hangar operations, and coordination with outside maintenance providers.

Benefits

• Participation in the State Health Insurance Program and prescription plans available to state employees.
• Eligibility to participate in supplemental retirement plans approved by the State of Maryland and the University System of Maryland.
• Five days of accrued annual leave per year.
• Three days of accrued sick leave per year.
• Eight paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level