Position Function:
The ASSUREd Safe Lead Instructor is responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) training programs for first responders. This role provides leadership in instructor development, curriculum oversight, training logistics, and instructional delivery, ensuring all programs meet ASSUREd Safe and industry standards. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in training development, team leadership, and UAS operations with a focus on innovation, compliance, and operational excellence.
Salary Grade: 16
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
ASSUREd Safe is a federated ecosystem to educate, train, test, and certify first responders’ use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) in the United States and ultimately across the globe. In order to strengthen national security and resilience to crisis, ASSUREd Safe works with first responders to ensure they can employ UAS to contribute to public safety and quickly enable recovery.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Instructor Development
• Provide instructional leadership and training to instructors, ensuring TLOs, ELOs, and best practices are effectively delivered and retained.
• Conduct professional development to maintain instructor currency and quality of instruction.
• Oversee instructor profiles and recurring training requirements.
• Conduct instructor audits, including site visits to observe and evaluate course deliveries.
• Develop and implement instructor-specific training, including a "Fundamentals of Instruction" course.
• Organize and lead an annual instructor convocation or summit.
• Evaluate and assess instructor performance to promote continuous improvement.
• Assist in course delivery and instruction as needed.
Curriculum & Instructional Content
• Lead the Instructional Systems Designer (ISD) to ensure course material accuracy and clarity of instructional workflows.
• Ensure course content aligns with current policies, regulations, and standards.
• Facilitate the creation, revision, and development of new course materials and training modules ensuring TLOs and ELOs are executed properly.
• Review curriculum for technical accuracy and relevance.
• Monitor external trends, practices, and UAS use cases to ensure alignment with industry standards.
• Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to incorporate operational use cases, TTPs, and skill proficiencies into course content.
Course Delivery & Administration
• Refine and enhance course delivery processes to improve learning outcomes.
• Ensure adherence to delivery standards, including rosters, welcome guides, check-ins, pre/post-tests, and surveys.
• Maintain records and compile reports related to course evaluations and outcomes.
• Coordinate and secure training venues, including mobile training locations.
• Verify that all training environments meet safety and instructional requirements, including classroom setup, airspace authorizations (e.g., COAs/waivers), and scenario execution spaces.
Training Logistics & Equipment
• Manage training equipment logistics, including shipping and delivery coordination to and from training sites.
• Oversee the maintenance and readiness of training kits and equipment, including:
o Setup and teardown procedures
o Software and firmware updates
o Battery health and maintenance
o Airframe airworthiness
• Recommend and evaluate platforms, tools, and equipment to support evolving training needs.
Program Development & Innovation
• Stay current with emerging trends and best practices in UAS for public safety and emergency response.
• Integrate relevant external use cases and advancements into training development.
• Work closely with SMEs, stakeholders, and steering committee members to enhance operational applicability and innovation in training programs.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has supervisory responsibilities.
The above essential duties are representative of major duties of positions in this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon departmental needs. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Not all of the duties may be assigned to a position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Aviation, Public Administration, Education, Engineering, or a related field.
6 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Masters Degree in Emergency Management, Aviation, Public Administration, Education, Engineering, or a related field
2. Knowledge of instructional design, adult learning principles, and federal grant compliance.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in UAS operations and related technologies.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
• Ability to travel for training audits, site visits, and course delivery support.
• No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Externally imposed deadlines; set and revised beyond one's control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; may involve conflict-resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis. Expectations and job assignments will change frequently.
• Job frequently requires driving, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Apply online at jobs.msstate.edu 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, (662) 325-5839.
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: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
