Job Description

The Virginia Tech Drone Park is managed by the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) and is focused on providing the resources to promote faculty, commercial and government research, student coursework in design, build, and fly subjects and student recreation/competition while also serving as an educational and outreach resource for drone-related areas of the university and the industry. The Virginia Tech Drone Park staff also works closely with the Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership, which is both a designated FAA Test Site and an FAA Beyond Program participant, helping lead the way in the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

ICTAS is seeking an Operations and Training Manager whose primary responsibility is to manage the day-to-day operations of Virginia Tech's Drone Park, a netted flight facility for unmanned aircraft, and associated labs. The Operations and Training Manager will also develop, instruct, and update short course training curriculum for groups both internal and external to the university. This curriculum will include topics ranging from introductory to highly specialized operations of UAS. The Operations and Training Manager will be responsible for safe, effective, and efficient piloting of UAS; acting as crewmember and/or instructor for UAS operations; and may be called upon to provide technical support for UAS research and funding opportunities within university and college initiatives and to serve on graduate student committees when appropriate.

The incumbent is expected to exercise sound decision making and problem-solving skills while interacting with internal and external UAS operators and training customers. The incumbent should be able to independently and effectively manage UAS research and training operations in diverse situations and field environments. The position reports to the ICTAS Director of Facilities.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Drone Park facility management and scheduling
• Serve as a Flight Instructor for various small UAS
• Acting in various other UAS crewmember roles including Pilot-in-Command (PIC), Visual Observer (VO), and Aviation Safety Officer (ASO)
• Development and sustainment of UAS training courses and curriculum
• Maintenance of University training records
• Participate in university Safety Risk Management (SRM) processes
• Support crew certification and training programs
• Assist in flight operations and training scheduling
• Serve as a supporting university representative for official visits, presentations, and outreach for UAS topics
• Act as an aviation subject matter expert and resource for faculty, staff, students, and university affiliates
• Maintain the university flight training fleet through preventative maintenance and basic modifications/ repairs
• Perform and supervise ground and flight instruction in accordance with all applicable regulations and University policy
• Conduct pre-mission planning, evaluation and briefings
• Complete post mission requirements, reports and logging
• Contribute to safety, training, technical, and operations documentation


Required Qualifications

- Master's Degree in an aviation or technical related field. An exception can be made for a Bachelors Degree in a related field with significant training and experience and FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) or ability to attain the FAA Remote Pilot Certificate upon hire.
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be able to effectively communicate

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in an instructional environment.
- Extensive aviation background and knowledge.
- Proficient RC flying skills.
- Experience with curriculum development