Aviation Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $3,863.00 - $3,875.00 Monthly
Location : Carbondale, Illinois
Job Type: Faculty
Job Number: 2600073
Department: School of Aviation-SIUC
Opening Date: 03/17/2026
FLSA:: Exempt
Security/Safety Sensitive:: NA
FTE: 1.0
Description
The Southern Illinois University School of Aviation seeks applicants for flight instructor positions at the rank of Assistant Instructor in the Aviation Flight (Associate of Applied Science) program. This is a term, non-tenure track faculty appointment. Flight instructors are hired based on the needs of the program and applications are continually evaluated throughout the year, with the first review beginning March 20, 2026. Because program needs change quickly, candidates with a completed application on file will be given full consideration as vacancies open.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
This position is represented by SIU Carbondale Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association/IEA-NEA. For more information regarding salary and other details please visit:https://laborrelations.siu.edu/labor-contracts/.
Examples of Duties
Flight instructors are responsible for 1) providing individual flight instruction to students enrolled in Aviation Flight courses, including preflight/post-flight inspections as well as maintaining the training records of assigned students, 2) assisting faculty as needed in teaching aeronautical and aircraft systems classes leading to FAA Pilot Certificates and Ratings, and 3) engaging in other duties as determined by the Chief Flight Instructor. All instructors are expected to adhere to all university, FAA, accreditation, collective bargaining agreement, and other relevant policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications (FAC/AP) or Additional Required Qualifications (CS Custom Classifications):

• All candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications. Application materials should clearly document meeting minimum qualifications:
  
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating
  • FAA Certified Flight Instructor-Airplane Single Engine Certificate (CFI)

• In addition, candidates must meet one of the following:
  
  • Earned bachelor's degree by date of hire, and
  • Obtain Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Airplane Certificate required within four months of date of hire. Individuals may not serve as "Instructor of Record" for any Aviation courses until CFII is earned. Additionally, individuals who do not earn their CFII in a timely fashion may not have their contract renewed.

OR

• • 50 hours of documented instruction provided as a flight instructor, and
  • Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Airplane Certificate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• FAR141 experience within a university flight program.
• Earned master's degree by date of hire at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Required Documents: Submit a letter of application, current resume/vitae which includes verification of the above qualifications and flight hour summary, copies of certificates, transcripts, and names, addresses/email addresses and phone numbers of five references to: copies of any FAA certificates held. If applying with a bachelor's degree and/or a master's degree, unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application, but official academic transcripts must be received prior to date of hire.
Contact: Victoria Mathieu,
Supplemental Information
The School of Aviation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is nationally recognized, FAA-approved, and offers programs in Aviation Flight, Aviation Management, and Aviation Technologies. The school offers several undergraduate and graduate degrees in both online and in-person formats. Onsite instruction is offered on the grounds of the Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, including in the state-of-the-art Transportation Education Center composed of office space and classrooms, a 60,000 square foot hangar, a helicopter laboratory, and a variety of other hands-on learning laboratories. Additional information regarding the Aviation Technologies Program is available at http://www.aviation.siu.edu/.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master's degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.
The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about , , and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.
University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.
Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.
Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program.
SIUC also provides extensive tuition benefits for its employees and their families such as: tuition waiver/application fee waiver for the employee and their dependents, a Legacy tuition rate for children of SIU Alumni, and Civil Service Employee Counsel (CSEC) Education Assistance Program (EAP)
For more information please visit: https://hr.siu.edu/benefits/