Aviation Safety and Promotion Coordinator (Program Specialist 2)

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting an Aviation Safety and Promotion Coordinator (Program Specialist 2) to join our Aviation team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Aviation Safety and Promotions Coordinator serves as the primary coordinator for the Central Washington University Aviation Departments Safety Management System (SMS), safety promotion initiatives, and departmental communications. This position provides leadership in developing and maintaining a positive safety culture while supporting the departments mission through safety management, training, outreach, and marketing initiatives.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Safety & Compliance:

• Coordinate the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the CWU Aviation Safety Management System (SMS).
• Support the departments Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion activities.
• Promote a positive safety culture through education, communication, and employee engagement.
• Monitor safety performance and recommend improvements to department leadership.
• Remain informed of current FAA regulations, industry standards, and best practices related to collegiate aviation safety.
• Serve as the departments primary resource for aviation safety matters.
• Promote safe operating practices throughout flight operations, maintenance, dispatch, academic programs, and student activities.
• Maintain safety-related documentation, manuals, records, and reporting systems.
• Coordinate updates to the Safety Management System Manuals and Emergency Response Plan.
• Support departmental compliance with applicable FAA regulations, university polices, and industry best practices.
• Assist with internal reviews, audits, inspections, and accreditation activities as assigned.
• Manage departmental safety reporting processes, monitor reported hazards, and assist with tracking corrective actions and follow-up activities.
• Maintain safety training records, safety committee documentation, and other records supporting, regulatory compliance and departmental operations.
• Foster a Just Culture that encourages hazard identification, open communication, learning, accountability, and non-punitive reporting.
• Collect, organize, and maintain departmental safety data to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Monitor safety performance indicators, operational trends, and hazard reporting activity to identify opportunities for risk reduction.
• Assist with the investigation of aviation accidents, incidents, hazards, and other safety events in accordance with departmental procedures.

Safety Training & Emergency Preparedness:

• Coordinate safety training programs that support the departments Safety Management System and Emergency Response Plan.
• Assist with the development and delivery of recurring safety training, onboarding programs, safety meetings, and emergency response exercises.
• Develop and coordinate safety onboarding programs for new students, faculty, staff, Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs), student employees, and other aviation personnel.
• Promote safe workplace practices related to fire prevention, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, emergency equipment, slip/trip and fall prevention.
• Assist in identifying workplace hazards and recommending corrective actions related to facilities, maintenance shops, flight operations, and support areas.

Communication, Outreach & Promotion:

• Coordinate communications that promote the Aviation Departments academic programs, flight training operations, safety initiatives, and student opportunities.
• Coordinate internal and external marketing efforts including digital signage, newsletters, flyers, brochures, and recruitment materials.
• Coordinate and manage the Aviation Departments official social media platforms by creating engaging content that highlights student success, safety initiatives, faculty accomplishments, departmental events, and aviation opportunities.
• Promote departmental involvement with aviation organizations, community partners, and K-12 outreach programs to encourage interest in aviation education and careers.
• Monitor department safety communications and distribute safety-related information to faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in aviation, airport operations, aviation safety, communication, public relations, marketing or any other closely related field OR Bachelors degree in Aviation Management, Professional Pilot, Occupational Safety, Health Management, Aviation Safety, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or any closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FAA regulations, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and Part 141 flight training operations.
• Ability to analyze information, identify trends, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, university administrators, industry partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Aviation Management, Professional Pilot, Occupational Safety & Health Management, Aviation Safety, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a closely related field.
• Experience working in collegiate aviation, flight operations, aviation safety, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience developing or coordinating safety programs, training initiatives, or emergency preparedness activities.
• Experience with aviation safety reporting systems, data management, or safety analytics.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power BI, or similar reporting and analytical software.
• Experience supporting website management, digital communications, or social media platforms.
• Experience coordinating events, conferences, outreach activities, or marketing initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to present information to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
• A record of promoting institutional excellence in the work environment.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 42 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $45,924 and maximum annual salary of $61,332. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an indoor office setting with frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, perform extensive data entry and other computer-related tasks and create/maintain filing systems for departmental records. Some evening or weekend work and/or occasional travel may be required. This position may work indoors and outdoors at times in hot/cold/noisy/dirty/wet/confined areas such as mechanical rooms, manholes and excavations, and may need to physically access work areas with the equipment and tools necessary for completion of the job. This often requires standing/crawling/bending/walking/climbing while carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with equipment or tools. Occasional overtime is required, and shift work may be required. May need to drive a service vehicle in congested areas.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: September 24, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Alex Walker

Title: Assistant Professor Aviation

Email: Alex.Walker@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-3310

Website: www.cwu.edu/academics/aviation/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.