Aviation Safety Officer

Aviation Safety Officer

The Aviation Safety Officer develops, administers, and continuously improves aviation, occupational safety, and environmental programs for the Autonomy Research Institute (ARI). The position promotes a proactive safety culture by identifying operational hazards, assessing risk, recommending mitigation measures, monitoring corrective actions, and supporting compliance with applicable federal, state, local, university, contractual, and sponsor requirements. The Aviation Safety Officer provides safety oversight and technical guidance for aviation, unmanned aircraft systems, research, testing, field operations, maintenance, and related technical activities.

The position conducts inspections, audits, investigations, safety training, and operational risk assessments to reduce the potential for accidents, injuries, environmental incidents, property damage, and other safety-related losses.

The Aviation Safety Officer, under general direction, develops, implements, and administers ARI's aviation safety, occupational safety, and environmental compliance programs. The Aviation Safety Officer evaluates operational risks; conducts safety inspections, audits, and investigations; develops safety policies and procedures; delivers required training; and monitors corrective actions. The position supports safe and compliant aviation, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), research, testing, maintenance, field, and facility operations conducted by or on behalf of ARI.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safety Program Management: 60%
• Safety Compliance, Documentation, and Training: 20%
• Operational Safety Coordination and Risk Support: 20%

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in aviation safety, occupational safety, environmental health, industrial hygiene, aviation management, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in aviation safety, safety management, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, accident prevention, or related experience.
• Additional education may be considered as substitution for the minimum experience qualifications:
• Master's degree in aviation safety, occupational safety, environmental health, industrial hygiene, aviation management, or related field, and five (5) years of experience in aviation safety, safety management, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, accident prevention, or related experience.
• Maintain Valid Driver's License.
• Experience conducting safety inspections, audits, hazard assessments, incident investigations, risk assessments, safety training, or corrective-action monitoring.
• Knowledge of applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), state, local, university, and sponsor requirements.
• Knowledge of how to acquire Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and understand regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of safety management systems, hazard identification, operational risk management, accident prevention, incident investigation, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action management.
• Knowledge of aviation, UAS, occupational safety, environmental compliance, emergency preparedness, and safety-recordkeeping principles.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• High level of articulation and professionalism
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Critical thinking and proactive problem solving
• Ability to take initiative and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to either work in a team environment or independently with minimal guidance
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks, resources, and time effectively
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, standards, contracts, sponsor requirements, university policies, and operational procedures
• Ability to develop and deliver safety training, briefings, reports, policies, procedures, manuals, and technical recommendations
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive, confidential, and legally protected safety and personnel information
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and influence safe work practices among individuals who may not report directly to the position
• Ability to travel up to 20% to support aviation missions, field operations, inspections, investigations, meetings, and training
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally work outdoors, in field environments, and under variable weather or operational conditions

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting or supporting aircraft, UAS, occupational, or operational accident and incident investigations, reporting, root-cause analysis, and corrective-action development.
• Experience in aviation safety and accident prevention, including the use of safety management systems, hazard-reporting systems, operational risk-management tools, safety databases, or aviation occurrence-reporting systems.
• Professional…