Aspen School District seeks a qualified Instructor of Aeronautics and Aviation for the 2024/25 School Year.

Position Title: Instructor of Aeronautics & Aviation

Department: Aspen School District

Reports to: Aspen High School Principal & Collaborates with Aspen Flight Academy (AFA)

Classification: Certified/Full-time Exempt/Salaried

Contract Period: 9 Month (185 days with some variance depending on the year)

Compensation: Certified Salary Schedule with additional compensation available for specific tasks as determined; 

ASD offers district-funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit-eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen, employee assistance program, wellness program, and supplemental insurance (i.e. cancer, disability, etc). Commuter benefit available to those who reside past Carbondale. 

Position Summary

The Instructor of Aeronautics & Aviation shall manage, organize and oversee the Aspen School District’s courses with the goal of providing a path to an aviation career for every interested student. This includes developing, teaching, and managing AOPA aviation courses in the classroom; overseeing the Every Student Flies program & the SIM, and supporting the flight instruction program by collaborating with Aspen Flight Academy (AFA).

Position Responsibilities

Instructor of Aeronautics & Aviation Responsibilities:

• Develop aviation curriculum for students enrolled in the Aspen School District. Responsible for implementing the AOPA curriculum, maintaining classroom management, interacting with students, managing the gradebook on Powerschool. 
• Shall be responsible in teaching students how to fly in a variety of settings using methods that include textbook education and simulators. 
• Shall use ground and school based classes to teach students the basics of flying an aircraft and to help them prepare for the written test, if they so choose, when applying for their pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 
• Shall develop curricula, instruct students in a classroom setting, determine student proficiency, report of student progress, and develop evidence-based teaching methods. 
• Be responsible for maintaining communications between students and parents on a regular basis. 
• Be responsible for maintaining communication with the school district and stakeholders regarding students’ achievements. 
• Attend all district/school required meetings and events 
• Be responsible for planning and co-leading an experiential education course/trip for the high school. Planning includes the development of all details and coordinating all locations Ex Ed course/students will visit. 
• Create, submit, and maintain the class schedule. 
• Be responsible for managing and organizing all things associated with the aviation courses.
• Provide opportunities for students to work on simulators outside of class time. 
• Serve as staff sponsor for the high school Aviation Club.
• Support AEF and AFA fundraising efforts by working with the Executive Director(s) and/or Superintendent of Schools. This includes: attending functions, promoting courses, etc.
• Maintain, operate, update, calibrate and schedule the use of district owned simulator to improve flight and reduce training costs. 
• Help coordinate flight instruction opportunities between students and AFA.
• Assist students in registering to take the FAA Ground School exams for courses taught in the district. 
• Support the integration of aeronautical programming at the middle school and high school. 
• Manage desktop flight simulators, including, but not limited to, operation thereof, upgrades, and systems life cycle (purchase, upgrade, replacement, and salvage). 
• Provide updates and communication regarding Aviation data & successes to AFA and ASD (number of private pilot licenses earned, scholarships, etc.)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
• Aeronautical concepts, aviation regulations, navigation equipment, systems and techniques
• Management and development of aviation curriculum
• Classroom and ground based instruction and management

• Basic professional written and oral communication norms and standards 

• Ability to:
• Operate and use navigation training equipment and standard office and classroom machines
• Instruct students with enthusiasm, motivation, ingenuity and creativity
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Apply organization and project management best practices
• Work independently and autonomously set priorities
• Act consistently in ways that directly support the mission of the Aspen School District
• Contribute actively to the goals and success of the District l through collaboration, cooperation, and flexibility 
• Maintain high ethical standards, legal responsibility, and confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess an active Colorado Department of Education (CDE) teaching license and/or a CTE credential for Aviation.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field 

Preferred Qualifications

• Hold a Commercial Pilot Certification (250 flight hours) or Airline Transport Pilot Certification (1,500 flight hours) or a Certified Flight Instructor (approved by the FAA). 
• Master’s Degree in a related field

Essential Physical Requirements

• Physical: Reaching, walking, standing, sitting, typing, talking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, seeing, and hearing. Lifting up to 50 lbs.

Acknowledgment

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the Aeronautics Instructor. The instructor will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent (or designee) and/or Aspen High School Principal. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.