Director of Agricultural Aviation and Workforce Programs

Delta State University; Cleveland (MS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Delta State University in Cleveland, MS seeks a Director of Agricultural Aviation and Workforce Programs to lead grant-funded projects, coordinate academic and industry partnerships, and manage student recruitment and progression through the programs.

The role supervises instruction, oversees flight simulators, reports to the Aviation Department chair, and ensures compliance with sponsor requirements while expanding agricultural aviation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience in a comparable environment.
• Grant implementation knowledge is required.
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Good organizational and administrative skills.
• Knowledge of local government.
• Commitment to working with diverse populations in the Mississippi Delta.
• Willingness to attend meetings outside normal work hours and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and retain students, trainees, and external clients participating in grant-funded activities.
• Meet all grant performance measures, deliverables, milestones, compliance requirements, and reporting deadlines.
• Manage grant resources and budgets in accordance with sponsor requirements.
• Maintain operation of flight simulators and related technologies.
• Deliver high-quality instruction and support student success, completion, and certification.
• Develop partnerships that advance workforce-development objectives.
• Support growth and expansion of agricultural aviation initiatives at Delta State University.
• Draft communications and manage scheduling and travel for office personnel.
• Recruit aviation students for available cohort slots.
• Assist students with barrier mitigation and link to job opportunities.

Skills

Grant implementation knowledge

Excellent written and oral коммуника__

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management / Agricultural Aviation / related field

Master's degree or doctorate preferred

Job description

Director of Agricultural Aviation and WorkforcePrograms

Position Type: Staff

Department: Dept of Commercial Aviation

Posting Number: 201201760

Full or Part Time: Full Time

Tenure/Non-Tenure: Non-Tenure Track

Salary Basis: 12 month

Responsibilities

Aerial Applicator Program Coordinator will be responsible for the recruitment and case management of all students to support program completion. This position will monitor and provide updates and required reports on the implementation and student matriculation through the program. The program coordinator will work with the project director to facilitate collaboration with other educational, industry, and community partners to provide resources and support services to the program. The program coordinator will report to the chair of the Aviation Department.

• Administer grant-funded agricultural aviation and workforce-development programs successfully.
• Recruit and retain students, trainees, and external clients participating in grant-funded activities.
• Meet all grant performance measures, deliverables, milestones, compliance requirements, and reporting deadlines.
• Manage grant resources and budgets responsibly and in accordance with sponsor requirements.
• Maintain effective operation, scheduling, and utilization of flight simulators and associated technologies.
• Deliver high-quality instruction and support student success, completion, and certification.
• Develop partnerships that advance agricultural aviation workforce-development objectives.
• Support the growth, sustainability, and expansion of agricultural aviation initiatives at Delta State University.
• Performance of routine, clerical and administrative functions including drafting written correspondences, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files.
• Complete forms in accordance with university policies; arrange conferences, meetings, and travel reservations for office personnel
• Recruit aviation students for available slots in the cohort.
• Complete all enrollment paperwork for all programs and partners
• Assist students with barrier mitigation (work clothes, supplies, etc.)
• Work with WINs to link to job opportunities and career assistance
• Determine and refer to service supports (food stamps, childcare, utilities, etc.)
• Track and Evaluate student achievement and incentives in the database.
• Track and process flying scholarship awards and tuition awards.
• Track student progression and completion of each pathway component
• Produce fiscal and program reports for the grant.

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Aviation Management, Agricultural Aviation, Agricultural Business/Science, Aviation Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Safety, or a related field. Applicants without a graduate degree must demonstrate significant professional experience, industry expertise, and/or specialized certifications sufficient to meet University and accreditation requirements to teach in the assigned disciplines.

Five (5) years of professional experience in a comparable environment; familiarity with a university setting, processes, and systems. In addition, it is required for this person to have:

• Grant implementation knowledge
• Excellent written and oral communications;
• Good organizational and administrative skills;
• A knowledge of local government;
• A commitment to working with diverse populations in the Mississippi Delta;
• A commitment to attend meetings, conferences or special events after normal work hours and weekend;
• A valid driver's license and access to an insured motor vehicle for business use are required.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and university's resources.

Minimum Qualifications: Required Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Aviation Management, Agricultural Aviation, Agricultural Business/Science, Aviation Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Safety, or a related field. Applicants without a graduate degree must demonstrate significant professional experience, industry expertise, and/or specialized certifications sufficient to meet University and accreditation requirements to teach in the assigned disciplines.

Five (5) years of professional experience in a comparable environment; familiarity with a university setting, processes, and systems. In addition, it is required for this person to have:

• Grant implementation knowledge
• Excellent written and oral communications;
• Good organizational and administrative skills;
• A knowledge of local government;
• A commitment to working with diverse populations in the Mississippi Delta;
• A commitment to attend meetings, conferences or special events after normal work hours and weekend;

A valid driver's license and access to an insured motor vehicle for business use are required.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred Education: Master's degree or earned doctorate from an accredited institution in Aviation/Aerospace, Agricultural Science, Business, Education, Safety, Geospatial Sciences, or a related discipline. Academic Qualifications: Must possess academic credentials, professional experience, and/or specialized certifications sufficient to teach University courses in one or more of the following disciplines:

• Flight Instruction
• Flight Simulation Instruction
• Agricultural Business
• Agricultural Aviation
• Precision Agricultural Science
• Aerial Application Operations
• Aviation Safety
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Remote Sensing
• Information Systems for Aviation
• Aviation Management
• Aviation Technology
• Related disciplines aligned with program needs

Qualifications may be demonstrated through one or more of the following:

• Master's degree or doctorate in the teaching discipline;
• Master's degree with at least eighteen (18) graduate semester hours in the teaching field;
• Bachelor's degree with significant professional experience directly related to the teaching discipline;
• Industry-recognized certifications, licenses, or credentials relevant to the assigned instructional area;
• A combination of education, professional accomplishments, certifications, and documented subject matter expertise sufficient to satisfy University, accreditation, and program requirements.

Preferred Credentials:

• FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), or FAA Ground Instructor Certificate
• FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107)
• Experience with flight simulation systems, aviation training devices, or simulator-based instruction

Open Date: 10/21/2026

Close Date:

Open Until Filled: Yes

Delta State University is committed to a policy of equalemployment and educational opportunity. Delta State University doesnot discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, nationalorigin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. This policyextends to all programs and activities supported by theUniversity.