Assistant Director of Safety & Standardization

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; On-site; USD 106,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers, on behalf of the Department of State Police, seeks an Assistant Director of Safety & Standardization for the Aviation Division located in North Chesterfield, VA. The role focuses on aviation safety oversight, training program development, and standardization across operations.

Candidates must hold FAA rotorcraft/helicopter ratings, an FAA CFII or equivalent, and the ability to lead complex safety initiatives; strong collaboration with leadership and external partners

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of aviation safety and SMS.
• Experience in aviation safety investigations and hazard identification.
• Ability to develop and evaluate safety and training programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee aviation safety, pilot training, and standardization across the Aviation Division.
• Develop and administer safety and training programs; evaluate pilot proficiency.
• Investigate aviation incidents and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate safety and standardization with division leadership.

Skills

Aviation safety

Risk assessment

Pilot evaluation

Safety reporting

Education

FAA rotorcraft-helicopter ratings

FAA instrument-helicopter ratings

FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Rotorcraft

FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Title: Assistant Director of Safety & Standardization DSP30337

State Role Title: Law Enforcement Manager II

Hiring Range: $106,026 to $160,899 Final compensation will be determined based on experience and qualifications applicable to the position. Placement at the top of the range is not guaranteed.

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Department of State Police

Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia

Agency Website: vsp.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This position is open to all current Department employees, both sworn and professional staff. If filled by a sworn employee, the position will retain the rank of Lieutenant. If a professional staff candidate is selected, the position will be reclassified to a non-supervisory level equivalent to the rank of Lieutenant.

Sworn employees applying for this position shall be governed by the State Police Manual and must submit an application through PageUp and must attach their SP-88 and SP-92P.

About the Position:

• Overseeing aviation safety, pilot training, and standardization throughout the Aviation Division.
• Developing and administering safety and training programs, evaluating pilot proficiency, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and departmental requirements, investigating aviation incidents and accidents, and recommending corrective actions.
• Through these efforts, the position promotes safe and standardized flight operations, reduces operational risk, and supports division-wide mission readiness.
• The position exercises functional authority over Division aviation safety, training, qualification, and standardization programs while coordinating personnel-related actions through the appropriate operational chain of command.

About the Agency:

At the Virginia State Police, we are more than just a law enforcement organization — we’re a united team of problem‑solvers, protectors, and public servants shaping the future of the Commonwealth. Every role here strengthens our mission to preserve life, protect the vulnerable, and enhance safety while upholding civil liberties throughout Virginia.

When you join VSP, your skills create real impact across every community we serve. Our culture is built on being selfless, engaged, and aware, and we succeed through timely, purposeful action; clear communication; personal accountability; and continuous improvement — together.

We prioritize the readiness and well‑being of all our people, entrusting decision‑making to those closest to the challenge and supporting one another with kind, direct feedback that helps us grow. At VSP, you will find meaningful work, real opportunities for advancement, and a supportive culture grounded in service, purpose, and the belief that we are One Mission. One Team. One VSP.

If you’re ready to make a difference and be part of something larger than yourself, your next career starts here.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of aviation safety, Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational risk management, crew resource management, flight training and standardization, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, aircraft operations and maintenance, and weather conditions affecting flight safety.
• Thorough knowledge of instructional methods, pilot evaluation, and the development and administration of ground and flight training programs.
• Thorough knowledge of aviation safety investigations, hazard identification, causal analysis, corrective action development, and safety assurance processes.
• Knowledge of aviation safety data collection, trend analysis, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Skills

• Skill in aviation safety management, risk assessment, hazard analysis, and development of risk controls.
• Skill in aircraft operations, flight evaluation, aviation instruction, and assessment of pilot proficiency.
• Skill in communicating technical and safety information to operational personnel, supervisors, senior leadership, and external stakeholder.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and other systems used for safety documentation, analysis, and reporting.

Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop, administer, and evaluate Division‑wide safety, training, and standardization programs.
• Demonstrated ability to assess pilot proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate aviation Incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and communicate corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear technical direction and feedback across organizational lines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain required records.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to respond on call as required.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft‑helicopter and instrument‑helicopter ratings, or equivalent military pilot qualifications eligible for FAA certification.
• FAA Second‑Class Medical Certificate required.
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Rotorcraft certificate, or military instructor qualifications eligible for FAA military competency certification, required.
• Sufficient Night Vision Goggles (NVG) experience to qualify for an NVG Instructor endorsement.
• Considerable commercial, or equivalent military flight experience is required.
• Pilot logbook must be presented at the interview for review by panel members.
• An in‑depth review of flight experience and successful completion of a flight evaluation in a Department helicopter are required.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Additional Considerations

• Prior helicopter EMS, public‑safety aviation, and/or military aviation experience preferred.
• Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) qualification preferred.
• Additional airplane ratings are preferred.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Contact Information

Name: Talent Acquisition & Employee Relations Section of the Human Resources Division

Phone: [e-mail]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.