Assistant Airport Manager

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

February 5, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

85,155.20 - 126,505.60

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

Under general supervision of the Airport Manager, the Assistant Airport Manager provides management level, strategic leadership for all areas within the City of Boulder Airport’s Day to Day operation. Co-authors the establishment of long-term vision and strategy by co-managing and at times directly overseeing the development of strategic goals and objectives. Responsible for long-term planning and direction of the day-to-day operations of the Airport to ensure safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable Airport Operations. Acts on behalf of the Airport Manager in their absence. Represents the Airport before private and public organizations, boards, commissions, and federal and state agencies. Provides management and oversight for Airport staff and seasonal employees. Develops Airport operational projects such as plans, policies, procedures, program development and process improvements, to conduct research and analysis while providing a liaison role with other city departments to deliver program and projects development and implementation. Leads environmental efforts for compliance and resilience of BDU. Co-authors and deliveries community compatibility efforts between homeowners and pilots and aviation groups at BDU.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                 

• Directs the day-to-day operation of the Boulder Airport ensuring compliance with federal obligations of: Safety, Security, Facilities, Resiliency and Environmental ensuring all airport guests and users are safe and can operate safely.
• Manages the planning of a major preventative maintenance program while coordinating timely response by multiple contractors to address corrections of systems and issues for 105 buildings/ hangars, airport roadways, parking lots and the airfield.
• Manages perpetual inspection of airfield and airport facilities to ensure compliance with the multitude of Federal Aviation Regulations and other applicable federal and state regulations; overseeing corrective actions and or behaviors with tenants, pilots, businesses as needed. 
• Co-Manages the delivery of high level of customer service responding to airport tenants, pilots, businesses, surrounding residential areas.
• Assists with the airport’s community outreach and compatibility program for Boulder’s noise abatement program.
• Manages the Airport’s readiness for all aviation users by observing runway, taxiway, ramps, pending weather, and airfield conditions are safe for operations. Has authority to close the airport or limit activities of any user groups based on any weather or safety issues.
• Directs and develops a responsiveness Winter Operations / Snow removal program in the unique and regulated environment of an airport; Makes strategic decisions to close or open the airport in real time by evaluating conditions and their suitability for various aircraft.
• Acts under Unified Command during emergencies with fire, law enforcement or medical responders; participates fully in the Incident Command System.
• Manages the preparations and proactive measures to ensure annual FAA Safety inspections are responsive to compliance. Leads the collaborative effort for corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Manages complex projects across multiple Transportation Department Divisions, Federal agencies and their associated multi layered regulatory framework, and/or multiple departments. 
  • Develops and maintains a project plan, monitors, and evaluates project progress and project budget. 

• Provides management and oversight for Airport staff and seasonal employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to build effective teams.  Creates strong morale and spirit, fosters open dialogue, shares wins and successes, defines success in terms of the whole team, and creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity. Comfortable with change and uncertainty.  Can be effective and make work appropriate decisions based on available data.
• Ability to demonstrate comfort around higher management and business leaders.  Demonstrates composure, confidence and respect when working with higher level management, boards and commissions, council members and business leaders and organizations.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and interact with the public and all levels of personnel within the city in a positive and cooperative manner. 
• Ability to demonstrate organizational agility. Understands how to get things done in the organizational or planning environment.  Uses interpersonal skills and relationships to work through available processes and resources, using both informal and formal channels to achieve results.
• Ability to facilitate good communication with and between key stakeholders. This includes providing information and obtaining feedback, listening to and respecting input, listening for high leverage opportunities, listening beyond the communication at the surface to hear the underlying intentions of others, encouraging participation, and confronting and directly addressing issues, as concerns arise.
• Ability to manage consultants, and delegate and coordinate complex assignments. 
• Ability to set priorities and quickly zero in on, and spend time and the time of others on what’s important.  Identifies barriers to accomplishing a goal and eliminates roadblocks.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to assume responsibility, to prioritize and resolve problems, to work under pressure, to pay close attention to detail, to coordinate tasks to completion and provide quality control for responsiveness and customer satisfaction. 
• Knowledge of and ability to deliver responsively FAA’s Snow and Ice Control Plan during Winter Operations at an Airport.
• Knowledge of and ability to deliver responsively the Federal Aviation Administration 7460 – Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration process. 
• Knowledge of and ability to deliver responsively the Federal Aviation Regulation, Wildlife Mitigation Compliance program.
• Knowledge of and ability to deliver responsively the Federal Aviation Regulation Safety policies, regulations, and safety standards.
• Knowledge of Commercial airport operations in relation to FAR Part 139 and TSA Regulations of Series 1500, 1542, 1544, and 1546.
• Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulation: Part 77 – Obstruction to Navigation.
• Knowledge of general office procedures, policies, and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computers and other general office equipment.
• Skill in and demonstrated project management knowledge, including administrative, planning, and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage complex projects involving competing interests and objectives. 
• Skill in and solid knowledge of aviation, airport operations and the associated multi-tier regulatory framework to operate, maintain and develop an airport.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to negotiate contracts surrounding construction delivery modeling. 
• Knowledge of and experience in managing facilities through developing and delivering a preventative maintenance program for hangars, facilities, buildings, and an airfield.
• Knowledge of and experience working with local, state, or federal government aviation and environmental agencies.
• Knowledge of and proven experience in airport operations, including winter operations, wildlife management program development and monitoring, Storm water prevention and counter measures plans, Community and/or organizational engagement and process facilitation. 
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting, budgeting, audit practices, and grant administration, to include Airport Improvement grant programs with the FAA and State.
• Possess and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history to pass the FAA/TSA criminal history records background check.
• Private Pilot’s License.
• Supervisory experience or experience in managing contractors/consultants at an airport.  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in aviation management or a relevant field; or equivalent of eight (8) years of relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
• Three (3) years of experience at a commercial airport.
• American Association of Airport Executives Certificates:
  • Airport Security Coordinator.
  • Airport Certified Employee: Airport Operations.
• ICS Certifications (ICS 100, 200, NIMS 300, 700, 800).

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received: Airport Manager

Supervision Exercised:  Airport Operations Facilities Technician

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS    

• Physical and Mental Effort: Ability to lift 50 pounds. Ability to climb ladders. Ability to respond to and co-lead emergency response and recovery efforts.
• Work Environment: Ability to work within a professional office environment. Works in extreme weather conditions. Works nights and weekends and available to be “On call” for emergency situations.
• Machines and Equipment Used: Ability to operate and leverage the use of computers and technology. Ability to operate heavy equipment such as snowplows, rotary brooms, and loaders for snow removal and airfield management.

Additional Job Description:

Last updated 1/14/25

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to **************@bouldercolorado.gov.