Pilot Assistance Specialist

External Description

Pilot Assistance Speicalist

The
Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world (representing over 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines) seeks an experienced

Pilot Assistance Specialist for our Tysons (McLean), Virginia office. The Pilot Assistance Specialist is a key member of the Engineering & Air Safety (E&AS) Department, providing staff support, coordination, and subject-matter expertise across ALPA’s Pilot Assistance programs—including Pilot Peer Support (PPS), the Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP), Professional Standards, HIMS/substance-misuse assistance, Aeromedical, and Canadian Pilot Assistance. The Specialist ensures these programs remain pilot-focused, confidential, and aligned with evolving best practices in mental health, crisis response, peer support, conflict resolution, and medical/occupational well-being.

The Specialist helps ensure that the Pilot Assistance group is in the best possible position to provide ALPA members with access to trusted resources during times of stress, crisis, conflict, or personal need, by maintaining a strong, coordinated support infrastructure across both U.S. and Canadian operations.

The Specialist plays a key integration role engaging as necessary with the other three Air Safety Organization (ASO) ALPA pillars—Safety, Security, and Jumpseat—working with internal staff and ASO pilots and leadership whose contributions strengthen safety culture and operational resilience. This includes direct engagement with safety-management efforts, training and human-factors initiatives, the Safety and Training Councils, and Canadian occupational health and safety programs to ensure that pilot well-being and human-centered principles are reflected in safety programs, training environments, policy development, and broader ASO activities.

This role continually looks for opportunities to strengthen ALPA Pilot Assistance programs and ensures that pilot well-being remains a foundational element of the Association’s overall approach to aviation safety. The Specialist also supports the implementation of Pilot Assistance initiatives and priorities established by pilot leadership and E&AS management.

Travel: 15 - 20%; local and national, could be as much as 25%.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behavior of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, caste, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics as outlined in federal or provincial laws. We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

ALPA is a member-driven, staff supported, union with two internal professional unions.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human services, public health, organizational behavior, aviation, or a related field, from an accredited college or university; or, an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that includes familiarity with aviation operations and/or pilot working environments.
• Three (3) or more years of experience providing program coordination and support in pilot assistance, peer-support, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) functions, mental-health, aeromedical, safety/wellness, crisis-response, and/or aviation-related volunteer programs.
• Working knowledge of the aviation industry; specifically, Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) related to pilot medical certification, fitness for duty, and safety/certification reporting; and, familiarity with Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) related to pilot medical standards and occupational health is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare guidance, training materials, policy summaries, and program documentation for pilot leadership use.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality,…