Director of Flight Program Operations

Director of Flight Program Operations

Salary

$128,750.00 Annually

Location

Moses Lake, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-42

Division

Instruction

Department

Aviation (Commercial Pilot)

Opening Date

05/22/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

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.

SUPERVISES:

• Flight Interns - 6-8
• Program Specialist 2 - 2
• Aircraft Mechanic/Inspector Lead - 1
• Aircraft Mechanic/Inspector - 1
• Aircraft Mechanic - 1

BBCC's organizational strength is captured in our small but mighty spirit. A small college taking on BIG things to enact BIG change to lift our students and employees. We are dedicated to extending postsecondary access to all our service district members and providing an environment for all to grow personally and professionally, steered by our mission and vision.

Vision: To become our communities' first choice to dream, learn, and succeed.

Mission

Serve as a Bridge

Stand as a Leader

Support for Success

Our guiding principles are a call to action, establishing a standard for how we interact with each other, present BBCC in the community, serve students AND act upon areas of inequity.

Guiding Principles

Honor our Role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Advocate for Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity

Embrace our Workplace Norms

Innovate Proactively

Model Integrity

Educate All

If you share these values, we encourage you to come be a part of the movement happening at Big Bend Community College.

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by June 12, 2026. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.

Essential Job Duties

Essential Job Duties:

Primary essential responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

Program Leadership & Governance

• 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.

Supervision (Director Authority)

The Director of Flight Operations 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.

• Professional conduct and workplace expectations
• Attendance, leave, and scheduling considerations
• 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

Supervision (Collaborative with Chief Pilot)

• Performance Evaluation and Review for Professional Staff and Flight Interns.
• Workload assignment and equity.

Training Standardization (Collaborative with Chief Pilot)

• 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.

Program Resources and External Relations

• 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.

Collaborative Safety and Training Oversight (Collaborative with Chief Pilot)

• Review safety trends, audit outcomes, and corrective actions.
• Collaboration on systemic, workforce, and resource matters affecting training.

Safety Governance & Oversight

• 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.

Authority & Limits

• The Director holds institutional accountability for compliance, safety governance, and fiscal integrity.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

At the time of application, all applicants must possess the following:

• 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.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• 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.

Competencies:

• 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.

Application Requirement:

• Copies of US Commercial Pilot Certificate or higher (will not have operational flying duties).

Application Instructions

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by June 12, 2026. Big Bend Community College reserves the right to offer this position to a qualified candidate at any time, so a prompt response is encouraged.

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• 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.* Supplemental questions are designed to address the Additional Desirable qualifications list in the job posting.
• Unofficial transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate course work and degrees. Official transcripts required upon employment.*

NOTE: You must complete the online application in full and respond to the required supplemental questions. Failure to provide this information or responses of "See Resume" may eliminate you from consideration for this position. The college reserves the right to remove documents, submitted but not requested, by BBCC as part of the application process. These documents include, but are not limited to statements of teaching philosophy, diversity statement, letters of recommendation, student evaluations, performance evaluations, etc.

BBCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the Colleges discretion.

This posting does not reflect the entire job description and may be changed and/or modified, at any time, without notice.

If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please contact NEOGOV Customer Service at 1-855-524-5627.

CONDITIONS OF 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. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete the questions.

Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform the position.

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.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

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.

Please direct all inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity, and/or grievances to the Vice President of Human Resources & Labor/Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator/Section 504 Coordinator, BBCC 7662 Chanute Street NE, Moses Lake, WA 98837; 509-793-2026 or via email at hroffice@bigbend.edu.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE CAMPUS:

In compliance with state and federal regulations, 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. The complete policy and procedure are available to view on the policies page of the BBCC website. Printed copies of the policy and procedure are available by contacting the Human Resources Office at 509-793-2008.

BBCC ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT:

BBCC strives to be a safe and secure campus for our students, employees, and community. Detailed information regarding campus security, crime statistics for the most recent-three year period, and other information is available on the Campus Safety and Security page of the BBCC website. If you have questions or would like a printed copy of the materials please contact Campus Safety and Security at 509-793-2286.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

Big Bend Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, marital status, pregnancy status or families with children, a mother breastfeeding her child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, genetic information, and/or status as a veteran or any other legally protected classification.

Big Bend Community College provides a robust benefit package. The benefits, programs, and services offered are a sizable amount of an employees overall compensation and an important factor in encouraging a healthy work-life balance.

Our package includes health, vision, prescription drug, and dental insurance for the employee and dependents. There are several plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Employees are also covered by basic life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. Additional insurance coverage, like auto insurance, is available to state employees at reduced rates. Visit Washington Health Care Authoritys Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) Program at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov.

We will help you prepare for life after your career by offering an excellent retirement plan, which includes employer contributions. In addition, employees have the option to participate in two tax-deferred retirement investment programs.

Leave benefits include 12 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and vacation accrual of 12-24 days of vacation per year.

Big Bend encourages staff development, and personal and professional growth. Internal and external opportunities for training and development are offered each year to build employee competencies and develop leadership capacity. Participation in the State Employee Tuition Waiver program provide further potential for personal and career growth.

For more information on what Washington State has to offer, visit Experience Washington at www.experiencewa.com.

For more information on the college you may visit our website at www.bigbend.edu.

01

Did you upload copies of all professional licenses and/or applicable certificates including FAA Medical Certificate, Flight Instructor Certification, US Commercial Pilot Certificate, and all other endorsements?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you consent to having FAA (Pilot Records Database, etc.) and driving records reviewed?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Big Bend Community College

Address 7662 Chanute Street, NE

Moses Lake, Washington, 98837

Phone 509-793-2026

509-793-2008

Website http://www.bigbend.edu