Director, Small-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (s-UAS) Program

Louisiana Tech University; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA seeks a full-time, twelve-month faculty member for the Department of Professional Aviation within the College of Liberal Arts. The s-UAS position manages ground and flight operations for enrolled students and ensures course standards and training requirements are met during the academic term.

The role requires UAS piloting experience, certified remote pilot status, and strong instructional skills in both classroom and flight settings, with additional

Qualifications

• 14 CFR Part 107, Remote Pilot certification
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Prepare schedules, maintenance records, and ensure course standards and objectives are met by each student in each UAS flight course.
• Maintain knowledge of aeronautics, UAS flight training procedures, and flight instruction skills.
• Coordinate research and scholarly activities with the ASSURE program and advise s-UAS students on course progression.
• Ensure timely completion of coursework, paperwork, and final grades for assigned s-UAS students.
• Inform supervisor promptly of scheduling, course, or comprehension issues and assist with curriculum improvements.

Skills

Remote Pilot Certification

UAS piloting

Instructional techniques

Team instruction

Job description

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 manages the UAS ground and flight operation to applicable students enrolled at Louisiana Tech University.

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 More than three years of UAS piloting skills and experience, including 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.

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.

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

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.

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

Louisiana Tech is an Equal Opportunity and ADA Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including veterans and persons with disabilities.

Louisiana Tech University adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal and civil rights laws, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

Louisiana Tech offers students an unparalleled educational experience in its 79 undergraduate majors, 32 master’s degree programs, and nine doctoral programs. Founded in 1894, the University has been recognized as one of America’s Top Colleges in Forbes and as the No. 1 college in the state of Louisiana for value in Kiplinger’s. The University has been ranked as a Top Tier research university in US News and World Report for 10 years, and is the only university in the state of Louisiana to be recognized in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2020 University Impact Rankings for its commitment to sustainable development. The University has a history of and commitment to creating programs that are the first in their fields, like biomedical and cyber engineering. Louisiana Tech’s partnerships with business, government and the military help create both academic programs and job development in the I‑20 Cyber Corridor. Louisiana Tech is an economic driver for our region and state, and our campus is a home for new and growing enterprises. This connection to innovation impacts our academic programs and provides job opportunities for our students in fields like cybersecurity and engineering. The traditional core campus of approximately 280 acres connects with the Enterprise Campus, a home for new and growing enterprises and to the heart of Ruston. Louisiana Tech and the City of Ruston continue to work hand in hand to create a healthier and more environmentally responsible community by developing safe pedestrian paths, lighting, sustainable landscaping, bicycle paths and more.

Mortissa Harvey – Title IX Coordinator Office Location: Wyly Tower 1536 Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]