Professional Practice Assistant Professor - Air Traffic Control

Overview

Utah State University’s Aviation Technology is seeking candidates for an aviation Professional Practice Assistant Professor role (95% Teaching 5% Service roles) that focuses primarily upon teaching in the air traffic control content area of the department. The department provides educational opportunities for students from technical credential certificates, Associate of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Aviation Science degrees; and courses use different delivery modalities. The teaching role requires an individual who provides excellent instruction of aviation classes, with possible applications within Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management, Professional Pilot (fixed and rotary wing), and Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs.

 

Candidates must demonstrate effective instructional design, online learning management system knowledge, and course development. Course responsibilities could also include graduate-level responsibilities. This is a full-time 9-month, academic-year, non-tenure track, benefited position beginning on 1 January, or 1 August 2027. The successful candidate must demonstrate the capacity to provide college-level aviation teaching excellence; the ability to work harmoniously with colleagues within and across departments; and contribute to program development, assessment, and growth in the department.

 

Review of applicants will begin 1 October 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. We are seeking experienced individuals who will provide instruction in an environment that embraces learning, positive spirit, high-performance, integrity, and diversity.

Responsibilities

Primary course responsibilities will include supporting the Air Traffic Control programming, and may include other non-flight operations aviation courses. A full-time teaching load for this position is 4-5 courses per semester, with typical load of ~24-27 credit hours per academic year.

• Experience in the aviation industry and/or collegiate teaching environment.
• Teach approximately 12-15 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses per semester in Aviation Technology
• Service to include committee work in support of departmental, college, university, and professional society activities.
• Assist with departmental student recruitment activities, career student advising and student club activities.
• Maintain and enhance laboratory teaching environment.
• Assist in student recruitment and retention, alumni and industry relations, program marketing/public relations, and other program needs.
• Professional development, including conferences, online interactions and contributing to the aviation and collegiate education communities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least three years of fully certified/credentialed professional air traffic control experience in one or more of the following operational environments:
  • Air Route Traffic Control Center (En Route)
  • Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)/Terminal Radar
  • Airport Traffic Control Tower
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer and technology skills.
• Ability to effectively instruct, mentor, and evaluate students in classroom and simulated air traffic control environments.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation, aviation management, education, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five or more years of fully certified/credentialed professional air traffic control experience.
• Experience as an FAA Certified Professional Controller (CPC), Control Tower Operator (CTO), or military air traffic controller with applicable FAA credentials.
• Experience as an On-the-Job Training Instructor (OJTI), Instructor Training Specialist, Crew/Watch Supervisor, Controller-in-Charge (CIC), or in another air traffic control training or supervisory position.
• Experience conducting FAA air traffic control training evaluations, performance verifications, certification evaluations, skills checks, or equivalent formal controller evaluations.
• Experience as an FAA Academy instructor, evaluator, course manager, or other position involved in the delivery or evaluation of FAA air traffic controller training.
• Experience providing air traffic control instruction or training in tower, terminal radar, and/or en route environments.
• Experience with air traffic control simulation systems, including scenario development, configuration, operation, troubleshooting, or management.
• Experience developing and evaluating air traffic control simulation scenarios, including progressively complex scenarios designed to measure student performance.
• Collegiate teaching experience.
• Online or hybrid course instruction experience.
• Experience with curriculum development, instructional design, or development of air traffic control training materials.
• Knowledge of the FAA Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), including Standard and Enhanced AT-CTI program requirements.
• Experience with FAA air traffic training curriculum, including Air Traffic Basics, Tower Initial Qualification, and/or En Route Initial Qualification curriculum.
• Experience using learning management systems and other educational technologies.
• Master's degree or higher in aviation, aviation management, education, or a related field.
• Record of professional development in aviation or air traffic control, including certifications, training, presentations, publications, or professional service.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover Letter - describing your qualifications for the position to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Unofficial electronic transcript for all degrees to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Three professional references with contact information to be typed at the beginning of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

 

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

 

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

 

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or [email protected]. 

 

*updated 07/2026

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

 

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

 

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

 

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

 

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

 

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

 

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

 

*updated 08/2026