Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS): safety manager job description

Why Do You Need Description of Aviation Safety Manager

Occasionally, your airline or airport managers will need to know what are the duties and responsibilities of the safety manager for the airline or airport aviation safety management system. Here are some quick examples:

When hiring a new safety manager, you will certainly need to communicate to prospective applicants what will be the job duties; or
When completing the job duties and requirements of key safety personnel which is required under the Safety Policy component of an aviation SMS program; or
When conducting periodic job performance reviews of the airline or airport safety manager.

Safety Manager Description

Airline/Airport Safety Manager has been commonly an upper management appointment. Safety managers require higher levels of authority within the airline or airport when dealing with safety matters. To ensure/safeguard this degree of authority, safety managers should report directly to the accountable executive.

Safety Manager Attributes

airline airport aviation safety manager job description

Operational management experience with a technical background sufficient to understand the interacting systems within the organization;

People skills;
Problem solving skills;
Project management skills;
Communication skills (oral and written); and
Computer skills to operate relevant software.

The accountable executive remains responsible for the aviation safety management system (SMS).

Accountable executives delegate the administration of the SMS to safety manager.

Typical Job Functions of Safety Managers

Conduct gap analysis periodically to determine health of SMS;
Manage SMS implementation plan as delegated by accountable executive;
Regularly update accountable executive of current safety concerns;
Administer risk management processes (hazard identification, risk assessments and risk mitigation);
Monitor corrective actions to ensure accomplishment;
Monitor safety performance and communicate performance to management;
Maintain airline/airport safety documentation;
Organize new employee safety training (SMS Induction);
Organize staff safety training;
Prepare or coordinate safety promotion communications (newsletters, workplace posters, etc);
Manage proactive hazard identification systems; and
Be involved in safety-related investigations.

How to best help your
Aviation Safety Management System

Become an SMS PRO

About NWDS - founded in 2003 by six software engineers, NorthWest Data Solutions (NWDS) provides custom computer programming and systems design services. NWDS creates many types of software, including e-commerce, financial, defense, engineering, logistics, aviation and more. In 2007, NWDS developed SMS Pro™ a web based SMS application that supports an organization's overall SMS through safety reporting, safety documentation, safety risk management and safety assurance. SMS Pro™ is currently used by aviation organizations in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to help manage their SMS programs. NWDS continues to support SMS Pro™ and add new functionality. NWDS offers custom contract programming services in the U.S. and Canada and is managed by Chris Howell, one of the founders. Their headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska. For information on NWDS visit their website at www.nwds-ak.com and www.asms-pro.com to learn more about SMS Pro™.

Job Description of Aviation Safety Manager

Very often, airlines and airports search our aviation safety management software websites for the job description of safety managers. Our first safety manager job description came from a South African CAA website several years ago. Recently, I stumbled on another that is very good from Meridian. I modified it a bit.

Job Summary:
Safety Manager is responsible for the administration of the company Safety Management System (SMS) program and functions as the Chairman of the Safety Committee. This position monitors safety issues, provides safety education, investigates incidents and accidents, acts as a resident expert on safety matters, helps to develop loss control standards, and makes recommendations to improve safety in the workplace.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Download Free Aviation Safety Manager Job Description in MS Word Format