Airfield Equipment Operator

About the Role

Plays a hands-on role in keeping the City of Boise airfield running safely and smoothly, in line with FAA regulations. This is a ground-level opportunity for skilled trades workers to maintain and protect critical airfield systems, working under direct supervision as part of a tight-knit team.

Schedule

Four days a week, 10-hour shifts.

Benefits

• Top-notch zero-premium healthcare option for you and your family
• Retirement plan that provides a lifetime annuity and investment matching
• Cash-incentive wellness program
• Public employee student loan forgiveness
• Paid parental leave

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2 years of experience working with heavy equipment or general maintenance experience
• Valid state-issued driver's license
• Ability to complete airport driver training/certification
• Valid Idaho Class A commercial driver's license (CDL)
• Ability to pass:
  • City of Boise background check (criminal history and reference checks)
  • Driving record check
  • Transportation Security Administration background check (SIDA)
• Must submit to drug screening (position is safety-sensitive and subject to Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post-Accident, etc.)
• CDL must handle a gross combination weight rating of 26,001+ pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds

Responsibilities

• Handles moderately complex issues and problems; refers more complex issues to higher-level staff
• Operates heavy construction equipment to maintain airport infields, runways, and taxiways
• Performs stormwater inspections, reporting, and maintenance
• Cleans and maintains areas to eliminate foreign object debris
• Applies herbicides
• Responds to any spills
• Provides escort services in Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA)
• Responds to incidents and performs safety inspections
• Paints runways, taxiways, and other airport areas
• Applies glass beads to meet FAA-required reflectivity
• Performs general maintenance, inspection, and light repair of specialized equipment
• Diagnoses and analyzes equipment problems or failures
• Conducts certification inspections and implements required corrective actions
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

• Knowledge of safe operation and maintenance of heavy equipment (e.g., dump trucks, bulldozers, front-end loaders, backhoes, snowplows)
• Familiarity with painting equipment and tools
• Herbicide application skills
• Entry-level trade, construction, and groundskeeping skills
• Ability to operate vehicles, equipment, and tools safely and efficiently, including during low visibility and heavy fog
• Effective communication in English
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience working with heavy equipment in a construction environment, performing maintenance and repairs
• Knowledge of airfields, taxiways, runways, movement and non-movement areas (including runway stencils, taxiway markings, and compass rose lines)
• Metal fabrication and welding experience
• Knowledge of hand tools used in electrical and related trades
• Experience with ground and tower radios
• Lighting, circuitry, signs, and electrical system maintenance skills
• Herbicide Applicators License

Working Conditions

Physical Efforts: Frequent lifting/carrying (up to 20 lbs), occasional lifting/carrying (up to 75 lbs), frequent pushing/pulling (up to 20 lbs), occasional pushing/pulling (up to 75 lbs). Noise levels range from moderate to very loud. Work includes sensory abilities: talking, hearing, smelling, and touching. Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb, and balance. Hand/finger dexterity required.

Environment: Work includes indoor and outdoor conditions, extreme temperatures, wet/humid environments, dust, odors, mist, gases, or airborne matter. Exposure to mechanical and electrical hazards, heights, confined spaces, ice, snow, traffic, uneven surfaces, wildlife, insects, and slippery surfaces. Additional hazards include arc flash, welding spatter, welding smoke, molten metal, and high-pressure fluids. Position may require extended shifts (over 12 hours) and emergency response within one hour for snow removal or other critical situations.