Flight Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Central Washington University is recruiting Flight Instructors to join our Aviation team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they help educate future aviators for the University and beyond. This recruitment will be used to establish a pool of applicants that will be continuously screened on an as-needed basis. These temporary appointments begin September 16, 2026 and end June 15, 2027. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary 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 ~8,300 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 seven out of eight years, CWU was 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:
A Flight Instructor's duty is to accomplish safe, efficient and student-centered flight training that complies with University policies and procedures, and FAA regulations.
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.
Job Duties
- Meets with each student as published on schedule; ensures that all flight lessons are completed according to the Training Course Outline specifications; ensures that all appropriated endorsements are made in the student's flight book and personal logbook
- Submits requests for stage checks upon completion of each stage of flight training with Chief Flight Instructor; ensures that all flight lessons and flight books are completed before request for stage check
- Ensures that all training activities, flights, and briefings are conducted in a timely fashion and during normal business hours
- Ensures safety of flight training activities by routinely performing pre- and post-flight checks of aircraft
- Meets with team leader on a regular basis to evaluate student performance and progress
- Participates in ongoing training to maintain proficiency and to ultimately be qualified as a Check Instructor
- Assists in recruitment functions to attract new students to the aviation program
- Flight instructors will teach flying by outside visual reference, and reference to instruments. Additionally, flight instructors with a multiengine land airplane class rating may teach the Multiengine flight lab
- Check Instructors category flight instructors will perform all the duties of a flight instructor and pass additional rigorous aeronautical knowledge and flight exams given by the Chief Flight Instructor and be approved by the FAA. Check instructors will administer student Stage Checks, End of Course exams, and instructor pilot proficiency checks
- Perform other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
  • Single Engine Land
  • Instrument Airplane
• Flight Instructor Certificate
  • Airplane Single Engine Land
• Second-Class Medical Certificate
  • No restrictions that would prevent performance of flight duties assigned by CWU or performance of normal non-flying flight line activities
• Other requirements
  • Finalists will be required to satisfactorily complete an evaluation/standardization check flight with CWU's Chief Flight Instructor or designee
  • Applicants must provide an authorized release permitting CWU's Chief Flight Instructor to examine the applicant's FAA Accident/Incident file
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clear performance requirements with students, while consistently in an encouraging and fair manner holding students to those standards, and understanding that those standards will change from one stage check to the next, from beginning student to meeting Airman Certifications Standards (ACS) before the end of course check (EOC)
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.

For consideration as a Check Instructor:

• Must meet Flight Instructor requirements.
• Other requirements:
  • Must have at least two quarters of full time Flight Instructor experience at CWU
  • Finalists will be required to satisfactorily complete an evaluation/standardization check flight with CWU's Chief Flight Instructor or designee
  • Applicants must provide an authorized release permitting CWU's Chief Flight Instructor to examine the applicant's FAA Accident/Incident file
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Flight Instructor Certificate
  • Instrument Airplane rating
    • An applicant may be hired without the Instrument Rating provided they will earn the rating within 12 months of their initial hire date
  • Airplane Multiengine Land
• Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency
• Experience working with students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds
• 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!
Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule
Salary : This position has a minimum annual salary of $41,184 and maximum annual salary of $57,658. The Hiring Department's expected monthly salary is $3,572 for Flight Instructors and $4,154 for Check Instructors. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position.
Schedule/Appointment : 40 hours per week/ Hours may vary and include Sat/Sun / Temporary appointment starting September 16, 2026 and ending June 15, 2027
Working Conditions : This position may work indoors and outdoors, at times in hot/cold/noisy/dirty/wet/confined areas such as aircraft cockpits. This often requires standing/crawling/bending/walking/climbing while carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with aircraft movement or fueling.
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 .
How To Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• Resume including work history, education, training;
• Current Flight Instructor Certificate and FAA Medical Certificate; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: Continuous, and as needed
This pool is open and continuously accepting applications. The department will contact applicants for interviews on an as-needed basis.
** Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Contact Information
Name: Chris Pratz
Title: Chief Flight Instructor
Email: cpratz@cwu.edu
Phone: (509) 859-4112
Website: cwu.edu/academics/aviation/
Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.
Conditions of Employment
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 crc@cwu.edu.
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 HR@cwu.edu 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.