Who We Are

For over thirty years, SAM has built a reputation as a trusted, knowledgeable, and innovative partner. Our licensed professionals transform petabytes of complex spatial data into intelligent insights in a holistic Managed Geospatial Services™ (MGS™) framework. As North America's premiere MGS™ company, SAM provides practical, precise, and high-fidelity solutions designed to enhance decision-making, mitigate risks, achieve strategic objectives, and drive costs out of our client's business. Our vision is to advance spatial data acquisition, improve analysis capabilities, and develop predictive analytics to redefine and transform how infrastructure assets are developed and managed throughout their lifecycles.

Your Impact at SAM

To oversee and manage the operational and safety related processes, procedures, and initiatives to achieve the highest level of operational efficiency and aviation safety. Work with operational leadership and the Safety Director to ensure programs and resources are aligned with the overall company goals and Core Values. Provide leadership and strategic direction for manned flight operations and aviation safety.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Primary Duties:

• Ensure compliance with Part 91 regulations, company policies, and safety standards.
• Lead & manage pilots, fostering a culture of proactive safety, excellence, and integrity.
• Perform flight duties on qualified aircraft.
• Develop and implement operational procedures to ensure safety of aerial flight operations and strategies to optimize efficiency and department growth.
• Conduct in-house safety audits of all aircraft and crews to ensure compliance with regulations and standards established and implemented by SAM flight operations.
• Coordinate with internal departments for Safety and Human Resources related tasks.
• Coordinate with SAM’s Safety Department for development of standardized reports and metric measurements.
• Coordinate with outside safety auditors, yearly safety audits, and/or internal safety audits of SAM flight operations.
• Develop, organize, oversee, and conduct pilot training and development. Including the scheduling of initial and recurrent trainings in accordance with SAM policies and safety standards.
• Verify that all company and contract pilots comply with Federal Aviation Regulations.
• Support Human Resources in the interviewing, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of new pilots.
• Review and approve weekly timesheets, per diem requests, and expense reports submitted by pilots.
• Work closely with the SAM Director of Aircraft Maintenace to ensure aircraft documents, checklists, publications, and databases are current and up to date.
• Monitor aircraft status and coordinate with the Director of Maintenance the timely correction of mechanical irregularities and discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain accurate reporting & record keeping practices.
• Monitor insurance documents to ensure clients/projects are covered as per contracts.
• Assist in the insurance renewal process by providing information and documentation.
• Computer skills necessary to operate word processing, email and web-based and/or mobile device applications

Leadership:

• Be a company minded leader that can be trusted to make decisions with the best interests of the company and our people.
• Ensure alignment of strategic initiatives with overall business objectives.
• Be visible and engaged with internal leaders, top market clients, teaming partners, and other related to flight operations and aviation safety.
• Conduct quarterly safety meetings with relevant stakeholders to update and solicit feedback on operational aviation safety strategies and changing needs.
• Lead weekly support, advice, and mentoring sessions with aviation personnel.
• Lead aviation safety related audits, both internally at regular intervals, and as need in response to client and/or regulatory body requests.

Daily:

• Review Flight risk assessments from manned aircrews.
• Conduct trend analysis on flight risk assessments to identify future hazards.
• Review flight plans to identify risks not seen by the flight crew.
• Check for TFRs that will impact SAM missions.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Corporate Safety Director or Aerial Region Director.

Weekly:

• Lead weekly safety briefing for aircrews with relevant aviation topics.
• Participate in operations meetings to help identify potential safety issues.
• Check for airworthiness releases for SAM aircraft, and those operated by our subcontractors.

Monthly:

• Conduct Ramp Checks for potential safety violations.
• Assist in training new pilots and flight crew personnel.
• Lead a monthly safety meeting and review of trend analysis.

As Needed

• Audit current and potential aircraft vendors for program safety.
• Lead audits of SAM’s safety and operational procedures for current and potential clients.
• File and follow up on Operational hazard reports from SAM aviation crew members.
• Lead accident investigations for manned incidents, including near misses.
• Update and distribute safety and operational manuals for manned flight programs.
• Participate in the interview process of new pilots.
• Audit potential company acquisitions from an aviation safety perspective.

What You Bring to SAM

• Experience as a Mapping / Survey Pilot
• Experience in the use of Foreflight
• In-depth knowledge of Parts 61 and 91 regulations and their application.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to manage and provide direction for multiple sites.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working with diverse skill sets and personalities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal.
• Excellent communication skills and experience interacting with all levels of employment.
• Some travel required (up to 50%)

Certifications and/or Licensing Requirements

• Possess a valid Commercial SEL and MEL Instrument rating.
• Possess a valid Flight Instructor SEL and MEL Instrument rating.
• Possess a valid FAA Second Class Medical Certificate.

Our Perks

• Opportunity for hybrid work schedules for office positions – Work-life balance is on us
• Company paid premiums for medical, dental, vision, LTD and life insurance (HSA and FSA plans available)
• Generous paid time off (vacation, sick, holidays and parental leave) – Accrual starts immediately
• 401(k) program offers 100% employer match up to 5%
• Paid continuing education courses and tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program – Your mental health is our priority
• No glass ceiling! Truly a place to spread your wings (Ask about our Career Pathing!)
• Trainings throughout the year – Specialized in-house trainings programs designed to assist you in advancing in your career
• Office snacks, free food and fun-themed events for employees throughout the year
• Passion for our Community – You have endless opportunities to volunteer alongside your peers with our Corporate Social Responsibility Program

Our Culture

Our entrepreneurial culture is a key factor in SAM being recognized as a Top Workplace for twelve consecutive years, and we make it our mission to ensure every one of our employees learns how to build and manage a business, not just be the subject matter expert on the team. At SAM, our employee’s development is instrumental to our success. Your learning will be supported by specialized in-house training programs and mentoring by the industry’s leading experts, who just happen to be on our staff! We make SAM a GREAT place to work, but it all starts with YOU!

EEO

SAM is an EOE/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. SAM also participates in the federal E-Verify Program.