Director of Flight Program Operations

Big Bend Community College • Moses Lake, WA

12h

About The Position

The Director of Flight Program Operations provides leadership, institutional oversight, and strategic direction for the Part 141 Flight Training Program. The Director is responsible for the governance, regulatory compliance oversight, fiscal oversight, safety governance, workforce alignment, and external relations. The Director of Flight Operations and the Chief Pilot Instructor operate as collaborative partners, combining institutional oversight and operational expertise to deliver a safe, compliant, equitable, and high-quality flight training program. The Director provides institutional oversight and leadership for the Flight Program, working in close partnership with the Chief Pilot, who retains responsibility for daily flight instruction, instructional methods, student training decisions, flight scheduling, and aircraft dispatch. This position reports to the Dean of Workforce Education.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in aviation, management, education, public administration or closely related field
• Four years of progressively responsible experience in aviation operations, aviation program management, or administration of a regulated technical or instructional program.
• Demonstrated experience working within a compliance-driven or safety-regulated environment (FAA, transportation, education, public safety, or similar).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory, policy, and procedural requirements within an institutional or organizational context.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sufficient to represent the institution with regulatory agencies, labor groups, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
• Copies of US Commercial Pilot Certificate or higher (will not have operational flying duties).
• BBCC Online application.
• Cover letter, addressing why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications make you the ideal candidate.
• Comprehensive resume or CV.
• Response(s) to the questions found in the Supplemental Questions Tab above.
• Unofficial transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate course work and degrees.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in aviation, management, education leadership, or related discipline.
• Direct experience in an instructor, Chief Pilot, or leadership/oversight role within a Part 141 flight training program or comparable FAA-regulated aviation operation.
• Experience developing safety management system (SMS).
• Experience with program budgeting, capital planning, or grant development, particularly in aviation, workforce education, or technical education settings.
• Experience working within a community college, university, or workforce education environment.
• Commercial Pilot Certificate or higher (used for credibility and understanding, not for operational flying duties).
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams in complex organizations involving academic, operational, and administrative units.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to students of varied ethnicity, ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Demonstrated history of strong and active leadership, strategic vision, and managerial competency.
• Develop and cultivate strong relationships across the organization at all levels.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable presenting to external audiences and large groups.
• Ability to create and execute a plan while maintaining flexibility to overcome challenges through creative problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Maintain institutional accountability for compliance with FAA regulations, college policies, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Collaborate with the Dean of Workforce Education on strategic planning, annual operating plans, and long-range program development.
• Holds direct supervisory authority over all Flight Program personnel as employees with the exception of the senior flight instructors, consistent with college policy, administrative practice, and applicable negotiated agreements.
• Oversight of hiring, appointment, reappointment, non-renewal, and separation processes in accordance with institutional policy and labor agreements.
• Management of personnel issues, including coaching, corrective action, and discipline, when required in accordance with institutional policy and labor agreements.
• Performance Evaluation and Review for Professional Staff and Flight Interns.
• Workload assignment and equity.
• Development and review of training standards and instructional methodologies.
• Ensure proposed standardization initiatives align with: Negotiated agreement provisions, Instructor workload and equity, Institutional resources and staffing models.
• Support implementation of training standards by ensuring institutional readiness and resource availability.
• Review program-level trends impacting training quality or sustainability.
• Develop and manage program budgets and capital planning (aircraft, simulators, facilities).
• Serve as primary institutional liaison to airport authorities, advisory committees, and industry partners.
• Represent the college in workforce development initiatives, outreach, and professional organizations.
• Review safety trends, audit outcomes, and corrective actions.
• Collaboration on systemic, workforce, and resource matters affecting training.
• Establish and oversee safety governance frameworks (FAA approved SMS), including reporting structures and institutional response processes in accordance with institutional policies.
• Ensure resources are allocated to address systemic safety or compliance risks.
• Holds institutional accountability for compliance, safety governance, and fiscal integrity.

Benefits

• Official transcripts required upon employment.
• Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employers.
• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.
• An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of Big Bend Community College to sponsor an H-1B visa.
• In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
• Official transcripts must be provided to the college upon hire.
• Big Bend provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• BBCC is committed to a safe and drug and alcohol-free campus.
• Employees are expected to comply with BBCC’s policy prohibiting illegal drug use or activity, including notifications of criminal drug convictions and the use of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that are likely to affect job safety.

What This Job Offers

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