Flight Center Director

About Farmingdale State College:

Farmingdale State College is a recognized leader in applied learning. With over 10,000 students, FSC is the State University of New York's largest college of applied science and technology, with 96% of graduates working in New York State and 75% working on Long Island. Farmingdale prepares emerging leaders in the growing technology, engineering, business and health care fields.

Farmingdale State College is committed to inclusivity and excellence as part of our mission and culture. The College has received the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. We seek candidates of all backgrounds who embrace these values and the broader mission of public higher education.

The College is increasingly focused on expanding student engagement. In addition to the highly successful NCAA Division III athletic program, Esports, and an extensive array of student clubs and organizations give FSC a strong culture of civic responsibility.


Job Description:

The School of Engineering Technology offers a four-year Bachelor of Science program in Aeronautical Science - Professional Pilot. We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced aviation professional to join our team as the Flight Center Director. This leadership position oversees all aspects of the Flight Center's operations, ensuring excellence in training and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The Flight Center Director reports directly to the Dean of the School of Engineering Technology.

Key Responsibilities:

The Flight Center Director will provide strategic direction and operational management for the flight portion of the Professional Pilot program, ensuring compliance with FAA 14 CFR Part 141 regulations. Primary duties include but are not limited to:

Leadership and Management:

• Provide overall direction and leadership to ensure the efficient operation of the Flight Center.
• Supervise and manage a team of 50+ staff, including flight instructors, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff.
• Recruit, hire, and onboard qualified Flight Center employees.
• Foster a culture of safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Operations and Compliance:

• Oversee scheduling of aircraft maintenance and flight training to maximize operational efficiency and student success.
• Ensure adherence to FAA Part 141 requirements, including quality and safety assurance.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures that align with regulatory and program goals.
• Financial and Administrative Planning
• Develop, manage, and monitor the Flight Center budget, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals.
• Oversee purchasing, invoicing, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure resource allocation meets the needs of the program while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Industry Collaboration and Program Development:

• Build and maintain partnerships with the aviation industry to support student success and program growth.
• Identify opportunities to enhance program offerings in alignment with industry trends and demands.
• Represent the Flight Center in professional settings and promote the Professional Pilot program.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Maintain effective communication with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Flight Center and FAA representatives.

This title is in Appendix A of the SUNY Policies of the Board of Trustees and, as a consequence, incumbents serving in this title are not eligible for permanent appointment (tenure), but instead receive renewable term appointments.

The college particularly welcomes candidates with knowledge, skills and abilities that include:

• Commitment to diversity and university initiatives supportive of diversity and inclusion.
• Interest in participating in student-centered service activities.
• Desire to apply expertise in promoting civic engagement with the College's many community partners.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Hold a fixed-wing Pilot License.
• Experience working in a flight training environment governed by FAA Part 61, 141, or 121 regulations, OR have documented military aviation experience with FAA-equivalent certifications and training operations experience.
• Strong proven record of successful organizational skills and the ability to manage a diverse group of people.
• Experience with or oversight of financial operations such as invoicing, budgeting, or revenue.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and computer skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree.
• Hold a commercial pilot license with Instrument Rating and a current FAA Medical Certificate.
• Hold a FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), FAA Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), and/or FAA Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) license.
• Management experience in organizing, training, staffing, and leading a staff of at least 50 people.
• Grant writing and implementation experience.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time UUP position.

• For the first 10 working days, beginning Monday, August 25, 2025, and ending Wednesday, September 3, 2025, applications will be limited to UUP Farmingdale.
• CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: Open Until Filled
• SALARY: $100,000 + $4,000 in downstate location pay = $104,000 Total Compensation. Salary may increase commensurate with experience.

The State University of New York offers excellent fringe benefits including health insurance options and retirement plans.

Click here for New York State Benefits Summary

Visit our Why Work at FSC page to learn more about FSC and the total rewards we offer.

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION

The Consumer Information web page can be viewed at the following link

http://www.farmingdale.edu/consumer-information/index.shtml

This page describes various services, information and statistics on many different aspects of the College's operations.

Farmingdale State College's commitment to inclusive excellence is an important part of our mission of public education and our culture. At Farmingdale State College, we continue to work on building a community that supports freedom, mutual respect, and civility. We seek others who support these values of diversity and inclusiveness and candidates of all diverse backgrounds who wish to participate in our cultural aspirations are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status or any other legally protected status.


Application Instructions:

Interested candidates may apply by clicking on the "Apply Now" link at the top or bottom of this page. The following documents are required for all positions:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/C.V.

Only applications made through Farmingdale's electronic application system will be accepted. Once you successfully apply you will receive an email as confirmation. Returning applicants may login to their Farmingdale State College Careers Account to apply for this position. See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

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