Aviation Security Administrator

Albuquerque International; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Albuquerque's Aviation Department is seeking a security professional to administer and coordinate the Airport Security Program, ensuring TSA/FAA compliance and coordinating security operations, training, and SSI handling.

You will work with tenants, contractors, law enforcement, and regulators, lead investigations, manage access control, and drive program improvements while maintaining a safety-sensitive posture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in aviation management, airport operations, aviation security, criminal justice, business administration or public administration or related field.
• Six (6) years of transportation security, airport security operations, or law enforcement experience; three (3) years supervisory experience.
• Experience in airport airline operations or security preferred.
• Airport Certified Employee (ACE) or other relevant certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer and implement the Airport Security Program, security policies and contingency plans; evaluate operations for compliance.
• Coordinate security assessments, inspections, and program initiatives.
• Plan and evaluate security exercises and incident response with TSA, FAA and partners.
• Develop and implement daily security and access control activities to meet TSA/FAA requirements.
• Coordinate security with divisions, airlines, tenants, contractors, and agencies; provide guidance on procedures and regulatory changes.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate staff; address deficiencies and conduct disciplinary actions.
• Coordinate aviation security training for employees, tenants, contractors; document training and access controls.
• Identify security needs and new technologies; propose improvements to operations and controls.
• Maintain security records, logs, and reports; analyze trends and program effectiveness.
• Monitor access control and SSI handling systems; address deficiencies and enhancements.
• Review security incidents and inspections; document findings and initiate corrective actions.
• Coordinate security aspects of construction, events, and operational changes; ensure proper access controls.
• Participate in administration of security-related contracts, equipment, and inventories.
• Direct daily work activities and staff schedules; improve work processes.
• Serve as liaison and technical resource for aviation security matters to management and stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging threats and regulatory changes; implement changes to security programs and training.
• Safeguard SSI and sensitive information per regulations; control access appropriately.
• Conduct security inspections and compliance reviews; document deficiencies and coordinate corrective actions.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Regulatory compliance

Staff training

Interagency liaison

Project coordination

Incident investigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation management / airport security / related field

Job description

Administer and coordinate the continuous improvement of the Albuquerque Airport Security Program, ensuring compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other regulatory requirements. This position will coordinate daily security and access control operations, badging systems, and Sensitive Security Information (SSI) handling; conduct inspections and incident reviews; and work with airport division tenants, contractors, and law enforcement to maintain a secure, compliant airport environment. This position will support security training, emergency preparedness, and technology and program improvements, serving as a key liaison and resource on aviation security matters.

This is a safety-sensitive position subject to random drug/alcohol testing

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the functions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

1. Administer and implement the City of Albuquerque’s Airport Security Program, security policies, procedures, and contingency plans; evaluate operational practices and recommend modifications to improve security effectiveness, access control, and regulatory compliance.
2. Coordinate special projects, program initiatives, security assessments, regulatory inspections, and other assignments related to the administration and continuous improvement of Aviation Department security operations.
3. Plan, coordinate, and evaluate airport security exercises, emergency preparedness activities, and incident response operations in collaboration with airport stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other emergency response partners; document outcomes and track recommended improvements.
4. Develop and implement daily aviation security and access control activities to support compliance with the Airport Security Program (ASP), TSA requirements, FAA regulations, and Aviation Department policies and procedures; identify operational issues and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
5. Coordinate airport security and access control requirements with Aviation Department divisions, airlines, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, and Federal, State, and local agencies; provide guidance regarding security procedures, access requirements, regulatory changes, and operational impacts.
6. Select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel; provide and coordinate staff training, work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
7. Coordinate the development, scheduling, and delivery of aviation security training for Aviation Department employees, tenants, contractors, and other authorized personnel; ensure required training and access control requirements are completed and documented in accordance with applicable regulations and the Airport Security Program.
8. Identify and evaluate aviation security needs, equipment, technology, staffing, and other resources; research emerging security practices and technologies and provide recommendations for improvements to airport security operations and access control.
9. Maintain and analyze security records, databases, activity logs, inspection records, training records, access control information, and statistical reports; prepare periodic and special reports regarding security activities, compliance, incidents, trends, and program effectiveness.
10. Monitor and evaluate airport security access control and identification systems, including badging, electronic access control, fingerprinting, security databases, and related technology; identify system deficiencies, coordinate resolution of issues, and recommend enhancements to improve security and operational efficiency.
11. Analyze and review security incidents, violations, complaints, inspection findings, and other security-related information; prepare incident documentation, identify trends and recurring issues, and recommend corrective or preventive measures to management and appropriate stakeholders.
12. Coordinate security activities associated with airport construction, renovation, special events, and operational changes; review proposed activities for potential security impacts and work with project managers, contractors, tenants, and regulatory agencies to establish appropriate security measures and maintain required access controls.
13. Participate in the administration of security-related contracts, equipment, supplies, and resources; monitor inventories and maintenance requirements, coordinate procurement and replacement of security equipment, and assist with monitoring expenditures within assigned areas of responsibility.
14. Direct and coordinate daily work activities, including schedules, assignments, inspections, special security operations, and priority response activities; monitor work performance and recommend improvements to work processes and procedures.
15. Serve as a liaison and technical resource for airport security matters, providing information and assistance to Aviation Department management, employees, tenants, concessionaires, contractors, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders; assist in preparing staff reports, correspondence, presentations, and recommendations related to aviation security.
16. Monitor and evaluate emerging aviation security threats, regulatory requirements, industry standards, best practices, and technological advancements; assess their potential impact on airport security operations and recommend and assist with implementing appropriate changes to security programs, procedures, training, and operational practices.
17. Manage and safeguard Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and other security-sensitive information in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local requirements; ensure information is properly accessed, handled, documented, maintained, and disseminated only to authorized individuals.
18. Coordinate and conduct security inspections, assessments, and compliance reviews of airport facilities, restricted areas, access points, perimeter security, tenant operations, and other areas of airport property; document findings, track deficiencies, and coordinate corrective actions to ensure compliance with applicable security requirements.
19. Monitor security-related contractor and tenant activities for compliance with the Airport Security Program, applicable regulations, security procedures, and contractual requirements; communicate deficiencies, coordinate corrective actions, and elevate unresolved or significant compliance concerns to management.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Maintain awareness of new developments in the field of aviation security; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
2. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of aviation security and surveillance.
3. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in aviation management, airport operations, aviation security, criminal justice, business administration or public administration or related field;

Six (6) years of transportation security, airport security operations, or law enforcement experience;

To include three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Experience in airport airline operations or security preferred.

Two (2) years of aviation related experience preferred;

• Airport Certified Employee (ACE) or Certified Member (C.M.) Certification or American Association of Airport Executives Accreditation (AAE), Airport Security Coordinator,
• Airport Trusted Agent, TSA Regulation Part 1542 certification preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within 6 months from date of hire.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to successfully qualify for and maintain a Sunport Access Control Card as determined by the criteria set forth by the policies and guidelines of the Aviation Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
• Successful completion of a security background check conducted by U.S. Customs & Border Protection.

Environmental:

Office and airport environment; exposure to noise, dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, and inclement weather conditions; travel from site to site.

Physical:

Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing and sitting for prolonged periods of time moderate to heavy lifting, bending, kneeling.