Airport Manager

Full Job Description

Requirements

Why it's a great opportunity: In this role with the Planning and Public Works Division, (PPW), you will lead the County’s airport operations with a strong focus on customer service and long-term sustainability.

You will provide leadership for Airport support staff, financial management, strategic planning, and communications with the FAA, consulting partners, stakeholders, and advisory commissions.

This role includes overseeing capital projects, leasing and operating costs, fee structures, revenue forecasting, and budgets. You will also help guide the airport’s future by balancing operational needs with thoughtful planning and strong community partnerships.

Why it's a great department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies.

PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community.

The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from having a strong ability to develop effective working relationships with the major users of the airports while being immersed in the business process it requires.

Your passion, positivity, and desire for tenant and community engagement will be essential for success.

You will be using your knowledge for strong partnerships for project planning on long-term infrastructure upgrades and replacements.

Coaching, mentoring staff, encouraging working partnerships, communication with division managers, and PPW leadership will ensure that you thrive in this role.

Your future in this role: Throughout the onboarding process you will meet with the Director, Managers, Supervisors, teams, and PPW senior admin team.

Pierce County offers professional development through robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Responsible for the safe operation of Pierce County airports and serves as the technical authority for compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
• Plan, develop, and implement department and/or division policies, long range planning and programming activities, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Prepare, negotiate, recommend, and administer contracts and agreements, to include leases, with both contractors and private companies.
• Implement adopted recommendations from studies and plans.
• Coordinate an extensive public involvement process.
• Meet with interested parties and community groups, elected officials, and agency staff to discuss issues including but not limited to policies, rates and charges, schedules, safety, noise, security, and airport operations and projects.
• Meet with the public, public agencies, or community organizations to promote or maintain favorable public relations.
• Provides administrative and program support to the County’s airport advisory commissions.
• Manage and resolve a wide variety of issues with tenants and customers.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Qualifications

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year for year basis.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Transportation Planning, Business or Public Administration, Engineering, or related field AND
• Seven years of progressively responsible airport management, transportation program administration, or operations experience INCLUDING
• Two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Additional Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date.

Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step.

We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career.

We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.

Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?