Airport Operations Specialist Trainee

County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to $40.75/hour

Competitive total compensation

Paid time off

Post-retirement health benefits

County pension

Health premium contributions

Professional development

Job summary

County of Sonoma is hiring an Airport Operations Specialist Trainee for the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS). The role covers airport operations, maintenance, security, and emergency first response tasks.

The position is shift-based, outdoors for most duties, with required FAA/TSA clearances and a valid driver’s license for patrols. On-the-job training emphasizes wildlife and noise abatement, inspections, and coordination with law enforcement.

Qualifications

• Experience in construction or building/grounds maintenance.
• Ability to establish and sustain relationships with airport staff, pilots, and authorities.
• Knowledge of safety and emergency practices, and code compliance/inspections.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make decisions under pressure in emergencies.
• Excellent communication, problem solving, safety, and customer service skills.
• Experience using Word/Outlook and ability to learn new technology.

Responsibilities

• Maintain airport equipment, facilities, and grounds.
• Conduct routine inspections of landside, airside, and terminals.
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations (FAR Part 139).
• Coordinate wildlife mitigation measures to maintain safe operations.
• Enforce TSA requirements (TSR Part 1542) and airport rules.
• Prepare and maintain reports, logs, and records.
• Support emergency operations and coordinate response and communications.
• Assist with patrols and incident response alongside maintenance staff.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Interpersonal skills

Safety and compliance knowledge

Decision making under pressure

Communication and problem solving

Tech adaptability

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Join the County of Sonoma as an Airport Operations Specialist Trainee!

Starting salary up to $40.75/hour ($85,050/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

Do you have:

• Multiple years of experience working in construction and/or performing interior/exterior building and grounds maintenance


• The ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with airport staff, management, pilots, and State and Federal personnel


• Knowledge of proper safety and emergency practices, and experience upholding code compliance and/or conducting inspections


• Sound judgment and the ability to make good decisions while working under pressure and in emergency situations


• Excellent communication, problem-solving, general safety, and customer service skills


• Experience using various computer applications (Microsoft Word, Outlook), and the ability to learn new technology

As an Airport Operations Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform a wide variety of airport operations, maintenance, security, and emergency first response activities at the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS). STS is the only local commercial service airport that offers air service directly into the North Bay region. STS has facilities for airline passenger services, cargo, private and corporate flights, recreational aircraft, law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting aircraft, and pilot training. To ensure daily operations run smoothly, Airport Operations Specialist Trainees also learn to:

• Maintain airport equipment, facilities, and grounds, including commercial mowers, boom lifts, sweepers, aircraft rescue vehicles, runways, taxiways, aprons, airfield lighting systems, welding equipment, etc.


• Conduct routine inspections and patrols of landside, airside, and terminal facilities and surrounding areas


• Ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, including FAR Part 139


• Take appropriate wildlife mitigation measures to maintain safe aircraft operations


• Enforce airport rules and regulations, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements such as TSR Part 1542


• Inform employees and appropriate personnel of the use and restrictions of the systems


• Compose, maintain, and review a variety of reports, records, and logs, ensuring records are accurate, thorough, and timely


• Organize and maintain accurate files and logs, and collect and record aircraft parking fees


• Initiate airport emergency operations and response, operate emergency equipment, and coordinate emergency services and communications


• Contact law enforcement personnel for incident response and requests for public service


• Work directly alongside Maintenance Workers to complete various maintenance projects


• Activate or deactivate badges as required


• Issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

An Airport specific uniform shall be provided. The position is shift work; the incumbent may very well be working evenings, weekends and holidays, the schedule is determined based on a shift bid (based on seniority). The incumbent will be expected to complete some administrative tasks; however, most of the work will be outdoors, including tasks such as airfield inspections, maintenance, incident response and investigation, meetings, trainings, and escorting people around the Airport property. A driver's license is required for this position, as you will be driving a County vehicle to conduct patrols and inspections of the Airport operations and activities.

Prior airport facility maintenance and operations training and experience, including wildlife and noise abatement; and first aid training, including CPR and AED, are highly desired but not required upon hire. In addition, the ideal candidate, will have the ability to shift priorities quickly, remain calm under stressful situations, and work with many stakeholders and authorities.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range


• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year


• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options


• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits


• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security


• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment


• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more


• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Please Note: As a condition of employment, individuals are required to undergo and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background clearance; must be willing to work a rotating schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, days, after-hours emergencies, winter storms, and other critical events; and must successfully complete all required, the department funded training and certifications within the twelve-month probationary period. Incumbents will be required to travel out of state to attend the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Certification course and annually thereafter for live fire training drills. The selected individual will also be required to complete and maintain the Movement Area Driver's credential and First Aid Training including CPR and AED. Incumbents failing to satisfactorily complete such training and certification will be released from the assignment.

About the Department

Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) leads the way to a safe and sustainable community by planning, building, managing, and maintaining Sonoma County's investment in quality services and infrastructure. Their Airport Division operates the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS), the only local commercial service airport that offers air service directly into the North Bay region. Supporting up to 21 flights per day, STS has facilities for airline passenger services, cargo, private and corporate flights, recreational aircraft, law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting aircraft, and pilot training.

About Sonoma County

The County of Sonoma offers a rare and compelling array of scenic, recreational, and geographic characteristics that include over 200 award winning wineries, majestic redwoods, inspiring coastline and beaches, and the vibrant Russian River. Encompassing over one million acres of land and water, rich with agriculture, parks, campsites, lakes, and open spaces, the County is home to over 500,000 residents and offers a wide variety of art and music festivals, farmers' markets, and concert venues. Local schools continually rank high on California's Academic Performance Index, and the Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University offer higher education opportunities.

Please visit sonomacountyconnections.org for more information about Sonoma County, the place to live, work, and build your career.

Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) is currently recruiting to fill two Airport Operations Specialist Trainee positions. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: KK