Director Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Professional Aviation

Thank you for your interest in employment with Louisiana Tech University.

The Department of Professional Aviation at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, twelve-month faculty within the College of Liberal Arts. The position will begin on June 1, 2025.  The position is to manage the UAS ground and flight instruction to students enrolled in Louisiana Tech University's UAS flight course.  The s-UAS position requires:

• Preparation of schedules, maintenance records, and ensuring that course standards, training requirements, and objectives are met by each student in each UAS flight course.
• Maintaining prominent levels of knowledge and proficiency in the areas of aeronautics, UAS flight training procedures, and flight instruction skills.
• Accomplishing additional duties assigned by the respective supervisor.
• Coordinate research and scholarly activities with the ASSURE program.
• Responsible for ensuring s-UAS students are advised for and consistently perform the correct number of classes during the academic term.
• Ensuring satisfactory progress for each student throughout the training course.
• Routinely informing your direct supervisor of course progress.
• Responsible for timely course completion of each assigned s-UAS flight student(s), including completion of required paperwork and assignment of final course grade.
• Expeditiously informing department head of any scheduling, course, or comprehension issues that may impede or disrupt the student from successfully completing the training or completing the course within the designated time frame.
• Initiating end of course evaluation requests for assigned students.
• Recommending curriculum and course improvements when appropriate and developing new curriculum or course improvements as assigned.
• Responsible for accurately maintaining all appropriate records to include training, student logbooks, student signoffs, s-UAS checkouts, s-UAS tracking information, battery cycles, etc.
• Monitoring the maintenance condition of each s-UAS in operation and inform the appropriate persons of any s-UAS aircraft maintenance discrepancy issues immediately.
• Filing safety reports as necessary on any observed safety violations, or potential situations that may affect the safety of operations.

Required Qualifications:

• 14 CFR Part 107, Remote Pilot certification
• Five years or more of UAS piloting, to include familiarity with and ability to perform required flight maneuvers and procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply effective instructional technique in the classroom and in flight.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply effective instructional technique whether throughout individual instruction or in collaboration with other instructors or in a team.

Degree Requirements: 

Master’s degree in aviation or bachelor’s degree with five or more years of s-UAS experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Basic Ground Instructor (BGI) and/or Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) certification(s).

Master's in aviation related field and experience with collegiate aviation accreditation through the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).

Additionally, there are expectations that the individual filling this position will participate in departmental, college, and university committee structures where appropriate. The individual will also be required to help with academic advising of s-UAS students, assisting with planning, development, and revision of s-UAS flight and ground school curricula. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, engaging in research and scholarly work within the guidelines of the University and other duties as required by the Unit Head.

Application: To apply, attach a single PDF that includes cover letter, current curriculum vitae, s-UAS and any other flight time summaries, description of teaching experience and interests, and the names and contact information for at least three references.

Louisiana Tech University is a member of the University of Louisiana System.

Louisiana Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer and places a high priority on the creation of an environment supportive of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Posting Close Date: This position will remain open until filled.

Please Note:  Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the Job Closing Date to ensure consideration.

Note to Applicant:

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at the Louisiana Tech University may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.