About the Position:
The Virginia State Police (VSP) is seeking to hire an Assistant Director of Safety and Standardization in our Aviation Division located in Chesterfield, Virginia. The job duties for this position include but are not limited to:
• Overseeing aviation safety, pilot training, and standardization throughout the Aviation Division.
• Developing and administering safety and training programs, evaluating pilot proficiency, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and departmental requirements, investigating aviation incidents and accidents, and recommending corrective actions.
• Through these efforts, the position promotes safe and standardized flight operations, reduces operational risk, and supports division-wide mission readiness.
• The position exercises functional authority over Division aviation safety, training, qualification, and standardization programs while coordinating personnel-related actions through the appropriate operational chain of command.
About the Agency:
At the Virginia State Police, we are more than just a law enforcement organization — we’re a united team of problem‑solvers, protectors, and public servants shaping the future of the Commonwealth. Every role here strengthens our mission to preserve life, protect the vulnerable, and enhance safety while upholding civil liberties throughout Virginia.
When you join VSP, your skills create real impact across every community we serve. Our culture is built on being selfless, engaged, and aware, and we succeed through timely, purposeful action; clear communication; personal accountability; and continuous improvement — together.
We prioritize the readiness and well‑being of all our people, entrusting decision‑making to those closest to the challenge and supporting one another with kind, direct feedback that helps us grow. At VSP, you will find meaningful work, real opportunities for advancement, and a supportive culture grounded in service, purpose, and the belief that we are One Mission. One Team. One VSP.
If you’re ready to make a difference and be part of something larger than yourself, your next career starts here.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge:
• Comprehensive knowledge of aviation safety, Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational risk management, crew resource management, flight training and standardization, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, aircraft operations and maintenance, and weather conditions affecting flight safety.
• Thorough knowledge of instructional methods, pilot evaluation, and the development and administration of ground and flight training programs.
• Thorough knowledge of aviation safety investigations, hazard identification, causal analysis, corrective action development, and safety assurance processes.
• Knowledge of aviation safety data collection, trend analysis, recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Skills:
• Skill in aviation safety management, risk assessment, hazard analysis, and development of risk controls.
• Skill in aircraft operations, flight evaluation, aviation instruction, and assessment of pilot proficiency.
• Skill in communicating technical and safety information to operational personnel, supervisors, senior leadership, and external stakeholder.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and other systems used for safety documentation, analysis, and reporting.
Abilities:
• Demonstrated ability to develop, administer, and evaluate Division-wide safety, training, and standardization programs.
• Demonstrated ability to assess pilot proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate aviation Incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and communicate corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide clear technical direction and feedback across organizational lines.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain required records.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to respond on call as required.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument-helicopter ratings, or equivalent military pilot qualifications eligible for FAA certification.
• FAA Second-Class Medical Certificate required.
• FAA Certified Flight Instructor – Rotorcraft certificate, or military instructor qualifications eligible for FAA military competency certification, required.
• Sufficient Night Vision Goggles (NVG) experience to qualify for an NVG Instructor endorsement.
• Considerable commercial, or equivalent military flight experience is required.
• Pilot logbook must be presented at the interview for review by panel members.
• An in-depth review of flight experience and successful completion of a flight evaluation in a Department helicopter are required.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Additional Considerations
• Prior helicopter EMS, public-safety aviation, and/or military aviation experience preferred.
• Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) qualification preferred.
• Additional airplane ratings are preferred.
