Flight Line Lead (Program Assistant)

Central Washington University is recruiting a Flight Line Lead to join our Aviation team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $41,940 - $55,836 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The primary responsibility of this role is to lead student employees in the safe operation of the CWU aviation flight line. This includes a variety of tasks to ensure the readiness and maintenance of aircraft. Key duties involve assisting with de-icing and pre-heating aircraft, cleaning aircraft in preparation for flights, fueling aircraft, and checking and maintaining oil levels and tire pressure. The role also includes positioning aircraft using a tug to various locations such as fuel pits, maintenance facilities, and tie-down areas, and securing aircraft after repositioning.

Additionally, the position requires assisting aircraft mechanics as directed and performing related duties as needed. A significant part of the role involves conducting training for student employees on safety and emergency operations, tug operation, hangar door operation, de-icing, winter weather protocols, and other department-specific training.

This position plays a vital role in shaping the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by enhancing the Aviation Professional Pilot Program as the trusted choice for aspiring pilots. They create a work and learning environment built on trust, accountability, excellence, safety, and stewardship. This important position will influence the future of aviation by promoting a culture that embodies these principles, all within an academic framework that emphasizes innovation and professional integrity in flight training and education. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Understanding of workplace safety standards, readiness and maintenance required for aircraft preparations for flight
• Commitment to following safety procedures and protocols
• Experience, training or demonstrating the ability to use Excel, Word, e-mail and similar applications to produce written correspondence, create spreadsheets, and manage e-mail and tasks.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, time-management, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively handle stressful or adverse situations.
• Ability to effectively organize multiple assignments while maintaining accuracy and timeliness.
• Experience demonstrating the ability to take initiative to accomplish tasks, independently prioritize work, pay attention to details, complete work in a timely manner, and adjust tasks as circumstances dictate.
• Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Willingness to work early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays and work variable shifts based on flight schedules
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Aviation Ramp Agent experience
• Mechanical background
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Salary: This position is based on the range 39 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $41,940 and maximum annual salary of $55,836. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: This position may work indoors and outdoors, at times in hot/cold/noisy/dirty/wet/confined areas such as mechanical rooms, manholes and excavations, and may need to physically access work areas with the equipment and tools necessary for completion of the job. This often requires standing/crawling/bending/walking/climbing while carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with equipment or tools. Requires the ability to lift up to 70lbs repeatedly. Occasional overtime is required, and shift work may be required. May need to drive a service vehicle in congested areas.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
  
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
  
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: August 13, 2025

**Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Name: Jason Berthon-Koch
Title: Executive Director of Operations College of Education and Professional Studies
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 509-963-2959
Website: www.cwu.edu/academics/aviation/

Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email [email protected].

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.