How to hire an aviation operations specialist

How to hire an aviation operations specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aviation operations specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aviation operations specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aviation operations specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The aviation operations specialist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an aviation operations specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an aviation operations specialist that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of aviation operations specialists.

   Type of Aviation Operations Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Aviation Operations Specialist		$17-41
   Flight Operation Coordinator	Flight Operation Coordinators deliver their services from an airport control tower to ensure all takeoff and landing aspects proceed as per the standard procedures and safety. They check all navigation and flight records and monitor the aircraft from the time they take off from the starting place until they reach the scheduled destination... Show more	$11-33

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Math
   • Aviation Operations
   • Flight Schedules
   • Combat
   • Flight Logs
   • MOS
   • Ground Crews
   • FAA
   • Air Traffic Control
   • Process Local
   • DOD
   • NOTAMs
   • Outbound Flights
   • Tactical Operations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Personalize and manage a customer SQL network database to consolidate all incoming orders from different marketplaces.
   • Implement training by using PowerPoint.
   • Review and post notice to airman (NOTAMS) for flight conditions.
   • Ensure that all aircraft operational matters are within manufacturers, FAA and company limits.
   • Plan flights with consideration of weather, NOTAMS, aircraft capabilities, mission requirements, company requirements and aircraft airworthiness.
   • Train all new department hires in safety and fueling operations, including training in company standards and policies and FAA regulations.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aviation operations specialist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An aviation operations specialist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, aviation operations specialists' average salary in montana is 36% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aviation operations specialists 57% less than senior-level aviation operations specialists.
   • Certifications. An aviation operations specialist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an aviation operations specialist's salary.

   Average aviation operations specialist salary

   $57,423yearly

   $27.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aviation operations specialist salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an aviation operations specialist job description

   An aviation operations specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an aviation operations specialist job description:

   Aviation operations specialist job description example

   Looking for a job in aviation? Join the Army National Guard as an Aviation Operations Specialist and watch your skills and abilities soar! In this role, you will help operate one of the largest fleets of aircraft in the world by keeping accurate and detailed flight information records for both flight and ground crews.
   
   Through training and practice in this specialty, you will learn how to schedule and dispatch tactical aircraft missions. Specific duties may include processing flight clearances, planning flight schedules and air crew assignments, coordinating flight plans, and keeping flight logs. This training will prepare you for a civilian career as a flight operations specialist, which could qualify you to work for commercial and private airlines, air transport companies, and airports.
   Alert crash crews of emergencies
   Interpret and post weather reports
   
   Helpful Skills
   Interest in working with computers
   Interest in math, aircraft, and air traffic
   Keeping accurate records
   
   Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career with aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, and government agencies.
   
   Earn While You Learn
   Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to learn. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.
   
   Job training for an Aviation Operations Specialist consists of 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Part of this time is spent in a classroom and part in the field under simulated combat.
   
   Benefits/Requirements
   
   Benefits
   Paid training A monthly paycheck Montgomery GI Bill Federal and State tuition assistance Retirement benefits for part-time service Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage) 401(k)-type savings plan Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans) Health care benefits available VA home loans Bonuses, if applicable Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change
   Requirements Military enlistment in the Army National Guard Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)
   
   Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.
   
   Other Job Information
   
   Job Category: Aviation
   Age Requirements: Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 management logistics

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find aviation operations specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aviation operations specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit aviation operations specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit aviation operations specialists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aviation operations specialist

   Once you've found the aviation operations specialist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new aviation operations specialist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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