Deputy Director of Safety

Deputy Director of Safety

The Deputy Director of Safety supports the Director of Safety in the development, implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of the organization's corporate safety programs. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable FAA regulations, OSHA safety and health standards, accreditation standards, and industry best practices while fostering a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.

The Deputy Director of Safety serves as a key leader in managing the Safety Management System (SMS), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Emergency Response Program (ERP), Internal Evaluation Program (IEP), audit processes, and safety risk management activities for fixed-wing air ambulance operations conducted under 14 CFR Parts 135 and 91.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Safety Management System (SMS)

• Assist in the administration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the company Safety Management System (SMS).
• Monitor compliance with FAA SMS requirements and industry best practices.
• Facilitate safety risk management (SRM) activities, including hazard identification, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
• Track and analyze safety performance indicators (SPIs) and safety performance targets (SPTs).
• Conduct trend analysis and prepare safety performance reports for executive leadership.
• Promote a positive safety culture through employee engagement and communication initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain adherence to OSHA safety and health standards.
• Monitor compliance with all applicable FAA regulations, including 14 CFR Part 135 and Part 91 requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of FAA guidance, advisory circulars, policy changes, and industry standards.
• Support interactions with FAA Principal Inspectors and regulatory authorities.
• Assist in preparing for FAA inspections, audits, and surveillance activities.
• Ensure corrective actions resulting from regulatory findings are effectively implemented and tracked.

Accreditation and Industry Standards

• Maintain organizational compliance with: EURAMI standards, NAAMTA standards, ARGUS Platinum/PROS standards, and applicable CAMTS-related aviation requirements, if applicable.
• Coordinate accreditation preparation, site visits, audits, and corrective action plans.
• Monitor evolving industry standards and recommend improvements to organizational safety programs.

Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP)

• Manage the day-to-day administration of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).
• Coordinate Event Review Committee (ERC) activities.
• Review and process ASAP reports while maintaining confidentiality protection.
• Identify trends and recommend corrective actions based on ASAP data.
• Promote voluntary reporting and non-punitive safety reporting principles.

Emergency Response Program (ERP)

• Manage and maintain the Aviation Emergency Response Program.
• Conduct periodic reviews and updates of emergency response plans.
• Coordinate emergency response training, drills, and exercises.
• Evaluate exercise performance and implement lessons learned.
• Support actual emergency response activations as required.

Internal Evaluation Program (IEP)

• Administer and continuously improve the Internal Evaluation Program.
• Develop and maintain audit schedules covering all operational departments.
• Conduct internal audits of flight operations, maintenance, dispatch, training, quality assurance, and safety programs.
• Identify compliance gaps, systemic risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor corrective action plans and verify effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Prepare audit reports and executive summaries.

Safety Investigations and Risk Analysis

• Lead or support investigations involving incidents, accidents, hazards, and operational irregularities.
• Conduct root cause analysis and identify contributing factors.
• Develop corrective and preventive action recommendations.
• Ensure investigation documentation is completed accurately and maintained appropriately.
• Monitor effectiveness of implemented mitigations.

Training and Safety Promotion

• Assist in developing and delivering safety training programs.
• Conduct safety briefings, workshops, and educational initiatives.
• Promote employee participation in safety reporting programs.
• Support safety committee meetings and cross-functional safety initiatives.
• Develop safety communications, bulletins, newsletters, and awareness campaigns.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and interpret operational and safety data.
• Develop reports and presentations for executive leadership, safety committees, and regulatory agencies.
• Monitor trends in operational events, ASAP reports, audit findings, and risk assessments.
• Support data-driven decision making and continuous improvement initiatives.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a resource and advisor to operational departments on safety-related matters.
• Collaborating with Flight Operations, Maintenance, Training, Medical Operations, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources.
• Act on behalf of the Director of Safety when delegated.
• Assist with departmental planning, budgeting, and strategic safety initiatives.
• Support development of organizational safety goals and objectives.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Safety Management, Aviation Management, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent aviation experience.

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years of aviation safety, flight operations, maintenance, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Part 135 operations.
• Experience with aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Experience conducting aviation audits and investigations.
• Experience administering ASAP or voluntary safety reporting programs.
• Experience with emergency response planning and crisis management.

Preferred Experience

• Air ambulance or medical transport aviation experience.
• Management or supervisory experience.
• Experience with EURAMI, NAAMTA, and ARGUS accreditation processes.
• Experience interacting directly with FAA regulatory oversight personnel.
• Experience managing Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of FAA Parts 135 and 91 regulations.
• Thorough understanding of SMS principles and ICAO safety management concepts.
• Knowledge of aviation risk management methodologies.
• Strong investigative and root cause analysis skills.
• Knowledge of ASAP administration and reporting processes.
• Knowledge of emergency response planning and business continuity principles.
• Understanding of aviation accreditation standards and audit methodologies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive safety information.
• Proficiency with safety databases, audit management systems, and Microsoft Office applications.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Aviation Safety Management Certificate
• Aviation Auditor Certification
• IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 Incident Command System training
• ATP, Commercial Pilot, A&P, or other aviation-related certificates