Safety Coordinator

Job Details

Institution: South Dakota State University

Working Title: Safety Coordinator

Posting Number: NFE03097P

Department: SDSU-School of Health & Consumer Sci

Physical Location of Position (City): Brookings

South Dakota State University Aviation seeks an experienced and collaborative safety professional to serve as Aviation Safety Coordinator. As the program’s primary safety leader, this position provides oversight and continuous improvement of the Aviation Safety Management System (SMS), coordinates risk management and safety assurance activities, and promotes FAA-aligned safety practices across all aviation operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, administer, assess, and continuously improve the Aviation Safety Management System (SMS).
• Oversee hazard identification, safety reporting, risk assessment, investigations, audits, and safety assurance activities.
• Monitor and analyze safety performance data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and support operational improvements.
• Promote a proactive, positive safety culture through training, communication, and engagement with students, faculty, staff, and operational personnel.
• Collaborate with aviation and university leadership to support safety initiatives, regulatory compliance, accreditation requirements, and organizational decision-making.
• Serve as the primary aviation safety resource, providing recommendations on risk management, safety performance, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain safety records, reporting systems, documentation, and required program metrics.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness, response planning, and safety-related exercises.
• Support accreditation, assessment, quality improvement, recruitment, retention, outreach, and other program initiatives.
• Participate in limited flight-related activities, including flight instruction, as appropriate to support safety initiatives and maintain operational awareness.
• Serve on university, school, and program committees as assigned.

Benefits:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, Higher Education, Business Administration or a related field completed by start date;
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in aviation operations, aviation safety, flight training, airport operations, aviation management, or a related aviation field;
• Demonstrated knowledge of aviation safety principles, risk management practices, and regulatory compliance;
• Current, or ability to obtain, FAA Flight Instructor Certification;
• Experience working within the aviation industry;
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop recommendations for continuous improvement;
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students and operational personnel;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and
• Valid drivers license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Aviation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Management, Higher Education, Business Administration, or a related field;
• Experience developing, implementing, or managing a Safety Management System (SMS);
• Experience conducting safety investigations, audits, risk assessments, or safety assurance activities;
• Knowledge of FAA regulations applicable to flight training and collegiate aviation environments;
• Experience in an FAA Part 141 flight training program;
• Experience in higher education or collegiate aviation;
• Current FAA Flight Instructor Certification (CFI);
• Additional FAA certificates or ratings;
• Experience with accreditation, assessment, regulatory compliance, or quality assurance processes;
• Experience developing and delivering safety training programs;
• Demonstrated ability to lead safety initiatives and influence organizational decision-making through collaboration, communication, and data-informed recommendations.