Director of Safety Programs (Full-Time)
Department: Operation
Position Overview:
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) seeks an experienced and dedicated Director of Safety Programs. This critical leadership role is responsible for leading the organization’s comprehensive aviation safety initiatives, ensuring the safe operation of the world’s largest flying collection of historic military aircraft. The Director develops, implements, and manages safety programs across all CAF units, events, and flight operations.
The Director oversees all facets of operational safety, encompassing activities from flight demonstrations to hangar operations. The position requires fostering a robust culture of risk awareness and compliance across CAF Units, Squadrons, and events. The ideal candidate is a seasoned aviation professional with a profound passion for aviation history, operational safety, and the preservation of legacy aircraft.
Key Responsibilities:
- Safety Management & Risk Mitigation:
- Develop and oversee the CAF Safety Management System (SMS), ensuring consistent application across all operations and squadrons.
- Conduct and supervise safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments for aircraft, maintenance & restoration facilities, and event venues.
- Investigate incidents & accidents, lead root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Establish protocols to address the unique operational risks associated with vintage and warbird aircraft, including flight demonstrations, airshows, and aircraft restorations.
- Ground and Industrial Safety:
- Develop and implement comprehensive ground safety protocols for CAF hangars, maintenance facilities, and operational areas.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA and other relevant workplace safety regulations concerning aircraft maintenance, fuel handling, hazardous materials, and machine operations.
- Oversee and improve facility safety measures, including fire prevention, tool safety, electrical safety, and accident prevention programs.
- Conduct regular facility visits to collaborate with and support Unit Safety Officers.
- Implement and manage Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programs and ensure adherence to safety standards during restoration and aircraft servicing.
- Support ground crew training on topics such as ramp operations, aircraft marshalling, and emergency procedures.
- Safety Training and Development:
- Design and implement comprehensive safety training programs for pilots, ground crew, and support personnel.
- Organize and conduct regular flight safety seminars, Crew Resource Management (CRM) workshops, and emergency response drills.
- Collaborate with Unit Safety Officers (USOs) to ensure effective feedback loops on important safety topics.
- Ensure all operational personnel receive training on evolving FAA regulations, CAF-specific protocols, and industry best practices.
- Operational Safety – Airshows & Events:
- Develop and enforce specialized safety procedures for airshows, fly-ins, commemorative flights, and public demonstrations.
- Act as the primary point of contact for airshow safety coordination with the FAA and event organizers.
- Manage and oversee flightline safety, crowd control measures, and emergency response planning at CAF events.
- Ensure pre-flight briefings and post-event debriefings focus on continuous improvement and hazard mitigation.
- Organizational Leadership & Culture Building:
- Foster a strong culture of safety throughout the CAF by promoting open communication, encouraging hazard reporting, and recognizing safety-conscious behaviors.
- Lead safety committees and represent the CAF in aviation safety forums, heritage flight groups, and regulatory safety discussions.
- Develop internal safety campaigns and communicate safety updates across the organization.
- Lead CAF’s safety committees and engage with Unit Safety Officers to align safety goals.
- Facilitate internal communication strategies to share safety lessons learned across all CAF divisions.
Qualifications:
- Required:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in aviation safety, flight operations, or risk management, preferably with vintage, military, or warbird aircraft.
- Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, aviation safety practices, and airshow operations.
- Proven track record in implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) or equivalent safety programs.
- Experience conducting incident investigations, risk assessments, and safety audits.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse teams including pilots, mechanics, and administrative staff.
- Ability to travel frequently to CAF Units, airshows, and events.
- Preferred:
- Certification as a Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) or equivalent aviation safety credential.
- Experience in airshow flight operations or heritage aircraft programs.
- Possession of a pilot’s license (commercial or private), preferably with experience flying vintage or warbird aircraft.
- Background in military aviation or participation in heritage flight organizations.
Benefits:
- Health, Vision, and Dental Insurance available.
- Life insurance, long-term and short-term disability available.
- Up to 3% employer-matched Retirement plan.
- Paid vacation time available for first-year employees.
About the Commemorative Air Force:
The Commemorative Air Force operates over 180 vintage aircraft from WWII and beyond, preserving and flying these historic machines to Educate, Inspire, and Honor future generations. As Director of Safety Programs, the incumbent will play a crucial role in protecting the legacy of aviation history while ensuring the safety of CAF personnel, volunteers, and the public.
This is a unique opportunity to blend a passion for aviation, operational safety, and leadership within a mission-driven organization dedicated to preserving historic military aviation.
Note on Duties:
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.
Application Information:
Instructions on how to apply are provided separately; please refer to the organization's website for contact details. Please refrain from phone calls regarding applications.