AIRPORT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Location: Rapid City, SD

Job Summary: This position ensures aviation and airport safety while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances. This position is responsible for routine and event-driven supervision of airfield operations and airport security, along with conducting associated training for airport employees and tenants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervises airfield operations. Monitors, assesses, and responds to airfield conditions.
• Inspects and evaluates airfield, records conditions and discrepancies, and directs corrective actions.
• Oversees general airport security through surveillance, inspections, and investigations. Conducts security spot checks of all airport grounds.
• Ensures compliance with FAA regulations by formulating reports, creating standardized checklists, and documenting quality control and compliance assurance.
• Ensures compliance with TSA security procedures by conducting inspections and investigating security breaches.
• Manages the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan by implementing policies and procedures to mitigate wildlife risks.
• Directs airfield snow operations, ensuring staff, equipment, and treatments are used in a safe and timely manner for removal of snow and ice.
• Participates in snow removal operations, safely operating a variety of heavy snow removal equipment.
• Directs appropriate actions for airport construction projects and emergencies.
• Responds to and assesses airport emergencies, accidents, or incidents.
• Develops and conducts training related to FAA, TSA, and other assigned topics.
• Serves as airport liaison by communicating with FAA, TSA, airline station managers, tenants, contractors, and other entities as necessary.
• Works variable hours, including weekends and holidays, and participates in on-call rotation to support operational needs.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field preferred.
• One year of relevant experience preferred.
• Must possess a valid South Dakota driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days from date of hire.
• Must possess FEMA/ICS-200 level or ability to obtain within one year from date of hire.
AAAE Airport Certified Employee (ACE) of Operations or AAAE Certified Member (C.M.) preferred.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; risk of electrical shock; explosives and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.