Flight Operations Technician I, II, III, or Senior

UAS Flight Operations Technician

The UAS Flight Operations Technician supports the delivery of ASSUREd Safe's national UAS training and credentialing program. This position provides instruction in both ground school and flight operations, conducts learner evaluations, and ensures all course activities comply with ASSURE, MSU, FAA, and FEMA guidance.

Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.

Salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence is comprised of 29 of the world's leading research institutions and more than a hundred leading industry and government partners. ASSURE members are core to four FAA UAS test sites, lead four FAA research centers, and have a multitude of UAS ranging from small drones below 55 pounds to the largest UAS at any US academic institution at 1800 pounds. This alliance features expertise across a broad spectrum of research areas, including: Air traffic control interoperability, UAS airport ground operations, control and communications, detect and avoid, human factors, UAS noise reduction, UAS wake signatures, unmanned aircraft pilot training and certification, low altitude operations safety, spectrum management and UAS traffic management. ASSURE possesses the expertise, experience, and influence that the FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems demands.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Deliver ground school, simulator, and flight-operations instruction for ASSUREd Safe courses and evaluate student performance using established standards.
• Supervise and conduct safe UAS flight operations, demonstrations, and student practical exercises.
• Travel to training sites nationwide and coordinate on-site logistics, equipment needs, and course execution.
• Maintain and manage program equipment, flight platforms, batteries, and instructional materials.
• Contribute subject-matter expertise to course development, updates, and required recertification efforts.
• Support training documentation, grading, credentialing processes, and continuous improvement reporting.
• Represent ASSURE and MSU professionally when working with partner agencies, universities, and federal sponsors.
• Interacts in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

Flight Operations Technician I B. S. Business Administration, Management, Engineering or other technical field. May substitute four years' experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft for education. At least one year of experience as a professional pilot or maintainer of manned or unmanned aircraft. At least one of the following FAA licenses: UAS Pilot, Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Experience teaching or training adult learners.
• Experience in first-responder or emergency management operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely result would be cuts, bruises, etc. Routine deadlines, usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressure from persons other than immediate supervisor. Job frequently requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling and lifting up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically, ability to distinguish colors.

Instructions for Applying:

Apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, and a copy of your transcript(s). Any social security numbers included on requested transcripts should be redacted prior to submitting online.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, View phone number on click.appcast.io.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.