Police Aviation Administrator; Aviation Unit Manager

Position Information

Salary
: $93,554.86 - $ Annually

Location
:
Mesa, AZ

Job Type
:
Full Time

Job Number
: 16963A

Department
: (H210)
Police

Opening Date
: 03/06/2026

Closing Date
: 5/7/2026 11:59 PM Arizona

A Police Aviation Administrator is a civilian position responsible for managing the activities of personnel assigned to the Aviation Section of the Police Department. Duties include evaluating pilots, observers, and mechanics in the performance of their duties; reviewing mission logs, operation reports, and completed departmental incident and supplemental reports; preparing deployment schedules for crew members and aircraft; ensuring section members comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department, and Aviation Section regulations and procedures pertaining to Aviation Section Functions;

identifying potential problems and taking appropriate action to correct and prevent recurrences; and coordinating and facilitating required training.

Additional duties include:

• Preparing and evaluating the section budget; coordinating with procurement personnel; reviewing and executing various contracts; writing and executing grants; working on strategic initiatives; making recommendations on aircraft replacement; overseeing, coordinating, and working with the pilot training vendor in the standardizing of initial pilot training across all phases of flight and ground training; maintaining all training documentation including qualification requirements; maintaining all appropriate flight manuals;
  
  assuring compliance with Departmental and FAA rules and regulations concerning the qualifications and training of pilots and observers; maintaining current copies of the FAA pilot certificates, ratings, and medical certificates held by each pilot; maintaining current documentation/records on audiograms of Section Personnel approved for hearing tests under the requirements of the hearing Conservation Plan under AVI 42; schedule/conduct training for upgrading airman certificates;
  
  conducting training for monthly Continuing Officer Education (COE) requirements as provided by the Training Section; and delegating responsibility for any of the above to other Aviation Section pilots as may be appropriate with the approval of the Aviation Commander or higher ranking official. This classification is responsible for performing related duties as assigned.

A Police Aviation Administrator is assigned to the Police Department Air Support Unit and receives supervision from a Police Commander or higher-ranking official.

The duties and responsibilities of this class are governed by FAA rules and regulations. The work requires considerable initiative and independent judgment in the flight operation of Department rotary and fixed wing aircraft and in the training of flight techniques. This position is also responsible for the Departments Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program and as such a working knowledge of the FAA rules and regulations governing UAS is desirable.

Work is subject to on-call and weekend assignments. This class is FLSA exempt-executive.

apps.mesaaz.gov/job descriptions/Documents/Job Description s/ (Download PDF reader)

Employee Values: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required
:

• Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Aviation, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Extensive (5+ years) progressively responsible managerial, supervisory, and administrative experience in a civilian law enforcement environment.

Special Requirements
:

• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Conditional job offer candidates must pass a psychological test battery and drug screening.
• Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date.
• Substance Abuse Testing required as outlined in City policy and procedures.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications
:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or similar discipline.
• Graduation from a military or civil aviation safety school/program.
• Experience managing aviation pilot and/or maintenance personnel aviation programs.
• Certificate of a current Commercial Rotorcraft-Helicopter Certificate with Instrument Rating and/or a Commercial Fixed-Wing Certificate with Instrument Rating; possession of a Certified Flight Instructor Certificate in either or both categories; and have a current flight review in accordance with 14 CFR Part 61.56.
• Able to obtain an FAA Class II Medical Certificate.
• Working knowledge of the FAA rules and regulations governing UAS is desirable.

Employer:

City of Mesa

Address: PO Box 1466, Mesa, Arizona,

Phone: ,

Website: