The Director of Safety (DOS) oversees and directs the School of Aeronautics (SOA) safety program. The DOS organizes and leads the directorate to ensure safety in support of SOA technical training and a high quality / safe student training experience during the 100 hours / 6 days per week that SOA is open for operations. The DOS is responsible for ensuring that the SOA properly implements safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion. The DOS operates in support of the Executive Director of Operations and provides continuous safety oversight, analysis, and recommendations at the executive level. The DOS, in coordination with the SOA leaders, will establish a safety management system (SMS) and develop and maintain effective safety programs aligned with the school’s SMS. The DOS facilitates and leads the promotion of a positive safety culture within SOA. The Director ensures that faculty and staff are trained and compliant with all safety standards, providing a safe training environment for students. The DOS works with other SOA directors to manage operational safety within the increasingly complex and demanding Flight Operations, Simulator Operations, Aviation Maintenance Technician Program (AMTP), and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations. The DOS is actively involved with the daily operations of the SOA to maintain situational awareness of the effectiveness of safety policies and procedures. The Director of Safety maintains flight currency in assigned aircraft to assess the operational safety environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promotes a culture of safety among faculty, staff and students. Through cooperation, communication, and training across all LUSOA departments, ensuring personnel at all levels of the organization understand their safety responsibilities and accountabilities.
• Ensures that LUSOA policies and procedures align with FAA, NTSB, and OSHA safety regulations, and assists in the revision of flight operations documentation, including safety procedures, training guides, and checklists.
• Serves as a safety liaison to the School of Aeronautics, providing regular briefings, analyses, and recommendations regarding SOA safety performance, emerging risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Manages the Safety Reporting System to confidentially and promptly address concerns, and analyzes safety risks using data from reports, surveys, and toolbox talks.
• Oversees the LUSOA Emergency Response Plan to ensure preparedness for aviation accidents, and leads investigations into accidents, serious incidents, and safety occurrences.
• Engages directly with directors of Flight, AMTP, UAS and Simulator Operations to ensure daily operational risk management. Addresses real-time safety concerns through identifying hazards, analyzing risk, and mitigating risk.
• Oversees SMS Safety Assurance Processes to ensure that the operational risk controls are working. Coordinates and supports both internal and external safety audits to ensure compliance and foster continuous safety improvement, while managing the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) program.
• Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission – Training Champions for Christ.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate Director of Safety and other personnel with assigned safety duties.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four-year college degree in aviation, safety, or a related field.
• Knowledge of appropriate regulatory requirements (14 CFR 60, 61, 91, 141, and 147).
• Proven ability to design and implement safety initiatives for complex multi-faceted operations.
• Hold and maintain a third-class medical or higher.

Preferred Qualifications:

• FAA certificates (CFI, CFII, MEI, A&P, and/or IA).
• 141 flight training and/or 147 maintenance training experience.
• Master's degree in aviation, safety, or a related field.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Computer skills

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be required to travel out of state.
• May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting.  It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate.  Working environment may include facilitation of events outdoors occasionally.

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel.  Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position.

 

Time Type

Full time

Location

Onsite

 

 

Pay Range

Compensation is determined based on factors such as qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, along with University needs and external market conditions. Market benchmarks may be used, as appropriate, in combination with internal equity to ensure pay is fair and aligned with the broader compensation structure.

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

 

 

$85,000.00 - $100,000.00