Aviation Science and Technology Program Manager; REVISED

Aviation Science and Technology Program Manager (REVISED)  The Aviation Science and Technology Program Advisor serves as both a primary student-facing advisor and a key contributor to the operational management and growth of the aviation program. This position supports students through academic coursework, FAA certification milestones, medical requirements, flight training, and institutional processes while also assisting Aviation Department Leadership with program coordination, enrollment growth, retention initiatives, and long-term sustainability planning.

As a developing program, the aviation program requires an advisor who can balance individualized student support with program-level thinking. This role requires specialized knowledge of aviation training pathways, FAA regulations, Veterans Affairs education rules, and the operational coordination needed between academic units and external flight training partners. The position collaborates closely with Aviation Department Leadership, campus administrative offices, and flight training partners to ensure both student success and program viability.
Master's degree by the date of employment and 1-year of related experience, i.e., collegiate advising, academic counseling, student affairs, etc. Internships and practicums are acceptable as relevant experience. OR a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of related experience, i.e., collegiate advising, academic counseling, student affairs, etc. Internships and practicums are acceptable as relevant experience. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with academic departments, flight training organizations, and administrative offices. High attention to detail and ability to manage compliance-related information. Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Master's degree in Aviation, Education, Student Affairs, or a related field. Basic knowledge of academic advising practices and student success strategies. Demonstrated ability to research, interpret, and apply federal regulations. Familiarity with FAA regulations, VA education benefits, or veteran student services. Experience supporting military-connected or veteran learners.

Experience with regulatory approval or compliance processes. Foundational understanding of aviation concepts and pilot training pathways.
Student Advising & Program Navigation (20%) Advise aviation students on all academic and training requirements from program entry through completion, including integration of summer semester training strategies, benefits, and burdens. Track and document major program milestones, including:
Completion of FAA Class 1 (or appropriate) Medical Certificate. Required advising and check-in meetings with Aviation Department Leadership. Enrollment in ground school and flight courses in correct sequence. Provide clear explanations of program structure, timelines, expectations, and performance standards for both academic and flight training components. Collaborate with Aviation Department Leadership on course overrides, prerequisites, instructor permissions, and registration approvals.

Communicate departmental policies related to progression, training performance, academic standing, and professionalism expectations. Refer students to campus resources to support academic success, financial stability, mental/physical well-being, and career development.
Aviation Program Management, Growth & Sustainability (20%) Partner with Aviation Department leadership to support the strategic and operational management of a rapidly growing aviation program, with particular focus on enrollment scaling, capacity planning, resource alignment, and student progression across multi-year pipelines. Serve as a thought partner to leadership by analyzing program performance and helping translate growth goals into actionable operational plans that balance demand, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Provide regular insights and recommendations to Aviation Department leadership regarding student demand trends, operational constraints, instructional capacity, and future resource needs. Track, analyze, and interpret program-level performance indicators, including enrollment growth, retention, persistence, time-to-completion, FAA milestone progression, and attrition. Use data to identify bottlenecks, risk points, and opportunities for continuous improvement, supporting evidence-based decision-making as the program scales. Support the development of dashboards, reporting tools, and milestone tracking systems that enable proactive intervention and transparent program oversight.
FAA Requirements & Certification Pathway Management Communicate FAA certification progression (e.g., Private Pilot ? Instrument Rating ? Commercial Pilot ? CFI ? Multi-Engine ? ATP) to students. Assist students in planning FAA knowledge tests, practical tests, and required flight experience hours. Monitor progress toward FAA milestones and proactively identify delays,…