Airport Airfield Operations Specialist

About the role

This classification is reserved for incumbents whose position is covered by the contract of a recognized collective bargaining unit. Under the general direction of the Airport Operations Manager- Airfield, ensures the day-to-day safe, secure, convenient and efficient operations of the airfield functions at all airports operated by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports.

Responsibilities

• Provides a full scope of airfield related services including safety and security inspections, responding to and documenting medical emergencies, airfield and aircraft incidents, snow removal assessment and coordination, wildlife management and control, construction safety and coordination, monitoring airfield access, monitoring and enforcing Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, FAR 139 and Transportation Security Administration (TSR 1542) regulations and ensuring airfield integrity.
• Required to be a first responder to aircraft and structural emergency situations and for all medical incidents on the airfield.
• Captures and documents all incidents and emergencies.
• Coordinates with airline maintenance as needed to respond to emergencies.
• Escorts aircraft towing operations and ambulances to ramp locations as needed where carts cannot operate.
• Maintains current proficiency in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation techniques as well as operation of Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs).
• Performs airfield inspections to ensure compliance with FAA Guidelines and Regulations.
• Closely monitors all airfield areas of the airport for deteriorating conditions and files work requests.
• Initiates work requests to resolve safety and operational problems.
• May recommend issuance of Notices to Airmen (NOTAM’s) as necessary to provide current information of aviation conditions.
• Coordinates and manages ramp and taxiway closures for maintenance, snow removal and construction activities.
• Ensures the safe and smooth flow of aircraft in extreme weather conditions, manages ramp snow removal efforts with the Maintenance division.
• Operates the Airport Snow Desk, Conducts and reports airfield conditions on the taxiways and runways.
• Removes snow from signs as needed to maintain their visibility.
• Manages and coordinates snow removal operations at South Valley Regional and Tooele Valley Airports.
• Provides escorts for aircraft during low visibility conditions as requested by aircraft operators or by the FAA Tower.
• Responsible for the inspection of SMGCS (Surface Movement Guidance Control System) assets at the onset of low visibility conditions to ensure operation and usability.
• Continues these inspections throughout the duration of the low visibility event to ensure continued proper equipment operation and aircraft safety.
• May provide aircraft marshalling and parking at ramp locations and gates in the absence of ground handling personnel.
• May establish and setup helicopter landing zones in the event of an emergency and assist in the arrival and departures of those helicopters.
• May be called upon to respond to the airport’s mobile command post and relocate it to the site in case of an emergency.
• Provides daily wildlife management on airport property. Utilizes numerous forms of available technology to repel, manage and control wildlife. Collects information through daily wildlife surveys. Responds to wildlife incidents to assess and record aircraft or property damage and to collect wildlife remains that may be forwarded to the Smithsonian Institute for identification and recording.
• Must receive recurring in-depth firearms and pyrotechnics handling and safety and FAR 139 training.
• Maintains perimeter roads and fencing for possible breaches.
• Responds to ramp personnel issues providing a high profile presence and liaison for airports tenants.
• Addresses potential safety or security issues on ramps and airfield with tenant representatives. May provide V.I.P. response.
• Issues warning citations for safety and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) violations or coordinate for the issue of civil citations.
• Interacts and coordinates with airport police and airport rescue firefighter personnel.
• Provides high profile customer service to the traveling public, tenants, concessionaires, and individuals at all airports operated by the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. Responds to inquiries, requests for information, complaints, and issues. Provides information on complaint procedures and/or directions to the appropriate tenant and/or airline representative.
• Required to coordinate, oversee and escort personnel during special events and projects.
• Maintains tenant related issues with the Airport Properties and Finance divisions.
• Completes reports on charters and large transient aircraft to allow proper billing or other activities as requested by the Airport Properties division.
• Reports gate usage by airlines on non-leased gates to ensure proper billing.
• Completes all required paperwork, and correspondence to maintain FAA certifications, such as Aircraft, Airport Incident, charter and fuel spill reports.
• Provides consultation on methods, techniques and procedures of investigation to specific situations. Ensures that reports are accurate, complete and filed according to Federal Aviation and Transportation Safety Administrations’ requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Public Administration, Business, or a related field plus one (1) year experience in an airport operations environment or an environment having experience with handling or control of aircraft.
• Education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Designation in the Airfield Operations discipline such as completion of training requirements through American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) programs for Certified Member (CM) designation, Airport Certified Employee (ACE) designation, or other related designation, fulfills one year experience requirement.
• Working knowledge of federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the operations of a large hub airport, including FAR 139.
• Working knowledge of airfield and technical aviation issues, equipment, and administration in an aviation environment.
• Working knowledge of aviation industry agencies, tenants, and airport functions.
• Extensive public relations and customer service skills.
• Ability to skillfully communicate both orally and in writing with the traveling public, Airport employees, managers and tenants.
• Working knowledge of microcomputers and associated word processing software including the ability to maintain accurate records and to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to respond tactfully and courteously with airport tenants, the public, physically challenged individuals and other special needs groups.
• Ability to personally adhere and have others adhere to prescribed routines and practices.
• Ability to plan, organize and conduct investigations.
• Ability to adapt investigative methods, techniques and procedures to specific situations, maintain records and complete accurate investigative reports.
• Ability to analyze high stress and emergency situations quickly and objectively, determining a proper course of action to be taken and provide for an organized, calm and professional response.
• Ability to plan, organize, and conduct airfield incident investigations.
• Ability to adapt investigative methods, techniques and procedures to specific situations, maintain records and complete accurate investigative reports.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or driving privilege card.