Airport Operations Specialist

Summary

Job Title

This position supports various activities, including airfield inspections, credentialing, and the efficient flow of aircraft and passengers. Individuals must focus on airport operations' safety, security, and efficiency and be willing to complete other operational duties as assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of a designated supervisor and checked for accuracy, quality, and the ability to complete work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include:

• Conducts FAR Part 139 airfield inspections; assesses airfield conditions for safe aircraft operations, records discrepancies, issues airport NOTAMs, and generates work orders as required.
• Conducts airport facility inspections, ensuring satisfactory service, repair, and maintenance levels, and generating work orders as required.
• Conducts wildlife management following the airport's approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
• Responds to airport emergencies and other incidents at the airport following the airport's approved Airport Emergency Plan.
• Assists with airfield driver training, security training, emergency training, airport familiarization training, and other training as required by local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to FAR Part 139.
• Conducts screening of applicants for security credentials following the airport's approved Airport Security Plan.
• Assists in the distribution, control, accountability, and verification of airport access systems.
• Escorts contractors and vendors needing access to airport facilities.
• Acts as liaison between the airport and other private and governmental entities as necessary.
• Responds to questions and inquiries from the public, airport tenants and users, airlines, and governmental agencies.
• Refers complaints and other matters as appropriate to other airport personnel.
• Ensures compliance with all federal regulations pertaining to airport operations, safety, certification, and security, including monitoring and evaluating daily activities of airside and landside operations.
• Researches and compiles data to support reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, on-call schedule, and be available for response to after-hour emergencies.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• Required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the airport.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

Qualifications (Education, Training and Experience)

The qualifications for this position include:

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Two years of training and experience in airport operations.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must pass a ten-year fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) and security threat assessment (STA).
• May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position include:

• Federal rules and regulations relating to airport operations, design, and construction.
• Aircraft types and performance characteristics.
• Airfield communications procedures, navigational aids, and meteorological phenomena.

• Using computer-based applications, including but not limited to the operation of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other typical software applications used in an office environment.

• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Write reports and provide documented recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with airport users, tenants, contractors, government agencies, City employees, and the public.

• Light manual work that involves walking or standing often, the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and sedentary work that involves routine keyboard operations
• Exposure to hot/cold temperatures, adverse weather, and wet/humid conditions.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

The City of Lakeland is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and a drug free workplace.

Benefits

The benefits for this position include:

• City of Lakeland 2026 Summary Sheet Annual Leave Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows: Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
• Sick Leave Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
• Sick Leave Pool Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary. For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
• Family & Medical Leave Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working. For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
• Pension Plan Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees. Defined Benefit Plan: Plan C Employee 4.52% Employer 15.54% OR Defined Contribution Plan: Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire Employer 15.54% Deferred Compensation 457 Plan: A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees'

Job Description

Job Title

This position supports various activities, including airfield inspections, credentialing, and the efficient flow of aircraft and passengers. Individuals must focus on airport operations' safety, security, and efficiency and be willing to complete other operational duties as assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of a designated supervisor and checked for accuracy, quality, and the ability to complete work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include:

• Conducts FAR Part 139 airfield inspections; assesses airfield conditions for safe aircraft operations, records discrepancies, issues airport NOTAMs, and generates work orders as required.
• Conducts airport facility inspections, ensuring satisfactory service, repair, and maintenance levels, and generating work orders as required.
• Conducts wildlife management following the airport's approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
• Responds to airport emergencies and other incidents at the airport following the airport's approved Airport Emergency Plan.
• Assists with airfield driver training, security training, emergency training, airport familiarization training, and other training as required by local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to FAR Part 139.
• Conducts screening of applicants for security credentials following the airport's approved Airport Security Plan.
• Assists in the distribution, control, accountability, and verification of airport access systems.
• Escorts contractors and vendors needing access to airport facilities.
• Acts as liaison between the airport and other private and governmental entities as necessary.
• Responds to questions and inquiries from the public, airport tenants and users, airlines, and governmental agencies.
• Refers complaints and other matters as appropriate to other airport personnel.
• Ensures compliance with all federal regulations pertaining to airport operations, safety, certification, and security, including monitoring and evaluating daily activities of airside and landside operations.
• Researches and compiles data to support reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, on-call schedule, and be available for response to after-hour emergencies.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• Required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the airport.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

Qualifications (Education, Training and Experience)

The qualifications for this position include:

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Two years of training and experience in airport operations.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must pass a ten-year fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) and security threat assessment (STA).
• May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position include:

• Federal rules and regulations relating to airport operations, design, and construction.
• Aircraft types and performance characteristics.
• Airfield communications procedures, navigational aids, and meteorological phenomena.

• Using computer-based applications, including but not limited to the operation of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other typical software applications used in an office environment.

• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Write reports and provide documented recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with airport users, tenants, contractors, government agencies, City employees, and the public.

• Light manual work that involves walking or standing often, the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and sedentary work that involves routine keyboard operations
• Exposure to hot/cold temperatures, adverse weather, and wet/humid conditions.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

The City of Lakeland is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and a drug free workplace.

Benefits

The benefits for this position include:

• City of Lakeland 2026 Summary Sheet Annual Leave Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows: Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
• Sick Leave Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.
• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.
• Sick Leave Pool Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary. For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768
• Family & Medical Leave Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working. For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.
• Pension Plan Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees. Defined Benefit Plan: Plan C Employee 4.52% Employer 15.54% OR Defined Contribution Plan: Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire Employer 15.54% Deferred Compensation 457 Plan: A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees'