AIRPORT OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Airport Operations Specialist

Join the Public Works team in beautiful Lake Havasu City! We are seeking a dedicated professional to ensure the safety, security, and efficiency of our municipal airport. This safety-sensitive role balances technical airfield inspections, emergency response, and community interaction.

Schedule: Must be available for nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-backs.

The ideal candidate has airport, aviation, maintenance, public works, construction, emergency response, or related experience; strong communication and recordkeeping skills; sound judgment under pressure; and the ability to work outdoors, operate equipment, and respond to irregular operations, and emergencies.

Core Responsibilities

• Airfield Inspections: Conduct daily safety, security, and wildlife sweeps of runways, taxiways, and facilities.
• Hazard Mitigation: Identify, document, and coordinate the correction of unsafe conditions and pavement issues.
• NOTAM Management: Issue Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) regarding closures, outages, or hazards.
• Project Coordination: Escort contractors and monitor safety during airfield construction and maintenance.
• Emergency Response: Act as a key responder for aircraft incidents, fuel spills, and severe weather events.
• Facility Maintenance: Perform minor repairs, mowing, weed control, and debris removal using airport vehicles.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• One year of experience in aviation, airport operations, FBO/ramp activities, public works, or emergency services.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Arizona Commercial Driver License (CDL) Class A with a tanker endorsement upon hire.
• Ability to obtain airport driver, radio, NOTAM, and safety training during the probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in aviation management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience with FAA Part 139 concepts, ADOT Aeronautics processes, or airfield construction.
• Desired Certifications: AAAE Certified Member (CM), Airport Certified Employee (ACE), NIMS/ICS 100-800, or Wildlife Hazard Management.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Environment: Frequent outdoor exposure to extreme desert heat and moderately noisy operational areas.
• Physical Effort: Regular lifting of up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Requirements: Excellent day and night vision; clear vocal communication for radio use; ability to stand, climb, or crawl.

Lake Havasu City offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees:

• Employer-provided Medical/Rx (EPO or HDHP)
• Dental/Vision
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account
• Employer-Provided Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Additional Life Insurance
• Optional Insurance-Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Indemnity
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Vacation
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Opportunities for advancement
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Optional Deferred Compensation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards

Lake Havasu City is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Applicants for employment opportunities should be aware of the Lake Havasu City policies concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy. All positions within the City are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment.

The City reserves the right to consider only the most highly qualified applicants. The succeeding examination processes may be required: training and experience, testing, panel interview, employment eligibility verification (EEV) requirements, personnel evaluation profile (PEP), polygraph test, background investigation, and alcohol/drug screening test. Appointment subject to successful background investigation and City-paid post-employment medical examination after offer of employment has been made.