Airport Ground Services Operator

Thatcham Research; Retford; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation service provider is looking for an Airport Ground Services Operator at Gamston Airport. This role involves responding to emergencies, managing aircraft positioning, and ensuring safety during operations. Candidates should have experience in aviation operations, strong communication skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. This position offers a salary of £28,000 along with excellent benefits. Shift work is required, covering airport opening hours with substantial leave and pension benefits.

Benefits

10% non-contributory pension

22 days holiday increasing up to 27

Group Life Assurance

Group Income Protection

Salary Sacrifice schemes

Enhanced parental leave

Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform

Health Cash Plan

Benenden Health Care opt-in

Reward & Recognition Programme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in firefighting and rescue operations is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and adapt to changing environments.
• Willingness to take initiative during emergencies or unusual incidents.

Responsibilities

• Respond to airport emergencies and ensure passenger safety.
• Position and refuel aircraft according to regulations.
• Perform hands-on maintenance of airport facilities and equipment.
• Conduct safety inspections of airport vehicles and facilities.
• Support fire prevention and emergency response efforts.
• Provide humanitarian assistance during incidents.

Skills

Experience manoeuvring large equipment

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Teamwork skills

Initiative in unusual incidents

Physical ability for firefighting tasks

Competent use of Microsoft Office

Job description

Airport Ground Services Operator | £28,000 + excellent benefits | Permanent | On-site | Gamston (Retford) Airport

Our unique dual‑operations site in Gamston is home to Gamston Aviation Limited (GAL), a fully operational private Airport with an onsite restaurant and automotive track testing for Thatcham Research. If you’re looking for a role where no two days will be the same, then look no further!

Based on‑site at Gamston, reporting to the AGSO Team Leader, you’ll work as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of ground aviation activities. Your previous experience in a similar role will enable you to prioritise activities that maximise customer experience and maintain safe operations. You will also receive training as a member of Gamston’s Rescue and Fire Fighting team to respond to an aviation emergency, should the need arise.

As the Airport Ground Services Operator, you’ll:

• Be the first responder to airport emergencies, ensuring safety and swift action during operational hours
• Take charge of positioning and refuelling aircraft, always following local rules and regulations for safe, efficient operations
• Carry out hands‑on maintenance across airport facilities, equipment, and hangars – keeping everything spotless, safe, and reporting any issues promptly
• Lead runway and manoeuvring area inspections, including fuel sampling and checks for foreign object debris, snow, and more
• Conduct thorough safety inspections of airport service and support vehicles, upholding our high standards and local SOPs
• Support fire prevention efforts, from evacuation procedures to responding to alarms and maintaining a secure environment for all
• Champion site policies, ensuring strict adherence to access control, airside driving, and dual operation procedures
• Provide humanitarian assistance both on and off the airfield, ready to help in incidents such as road traffic accidents
• Play a key role in aviation and automotive testing activities, always prepared to act in the event of an emergency
• Oversee the safe ground movement of aircraft and company vehicles, using approved equipment and procedures
• Represent Gamston Airport with professionalism and courtesy, prioritising safety and operating procedures while delivering outstanding customer service

Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:

• Previous experience manoeuvring, towing or tugging large equipment (HGV licence desirable)
• Some experience in a similar role, firefighting and rescue or aviation operations
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and flexible to changing and competing demands
• Ability and willingness to take the lead in unusual incidents and work on initiative
• Physically able to complete all firefighting tasks
• Competent use of Microsoft Office: Outlook, Excel, Word and Teams

This role is based on‑site, at Retford Gamston Airport, Nottinghamshire DN22 0QL.

Did you know…

Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don’t apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities.

We know the perfect candidate doesn’t exist! If you think you have what it takes but don’t tick every box, we’d still encourage you to apply – it could be a perfect fit!

Perks & Benefits

Salary – Circa £28,000 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.

• 10% non‑contributory pension
• 22 days holiday (increasing by 1 day each year up to 27 days) + public holidays
• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
• Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
• Benenden Health Care (opt‑in benefit)
• Reward & Recognition Programme

When we work

You’ll join a 2‑week shift pattern, based on 4 shifts on and 4 shifts off, covering the Airport opening hours:

• 07:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday
• 08:30 to 18:00 Saturday/Sunday and Bank Holidays (including overtime pay)

What we do

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on‑site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry. Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

The Gamston site is also home to Gamston Aviation Limited (GAL) which is a fully operational private Airport with onsite restaurant facilities open to the public, owned by Thatcham Research Group.

Our Values

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in‑house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application
• An initial telephone screening call with our Recruitment Business Partner
• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
• Second/Final interview, in‑person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
• Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!
• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.

If you're experiencing any issues with our career site or application from, please let us know here: [e-mail]