Communications Supervisor

Port-of-Portland; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Port of Portland is seeking a Communications Supervisor to lead the Airport Communications Center (ACC), coordinating emergency communications, maintenance dispatch, paging, and customer information. You will supervise a represented workforce across multiple bargaining units and make critical operational decisions to keep the airport running smoothly.

You’ll work with ACC leadership to ensure compliance with FAA/TSA requirements, Port policies, and security protocols while fostering development

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; a bachelor’s degree in aviation, business, public safety, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in an airport environment, communications center, PSAP, or similar setting; supervisory experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Pre-employment background investigation required; ability to obtain and maintain a PDX security clearance and CJIS clearance.
• Certifications: DPSST within 12 months, LEDS within 6 months, Airport Security Coordinator within 6 months, Facilities Management Professional within 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Airport Communications Center (ACC) operations, including emergency communications, dispatch, paging, customer information, and other critical services.
• Serve as primary on-duty supervisor, making timely decisions and resolving escalated issues.
• Monitor communications, workflows, and service delivery to ensure compliance with FAA, TSA, Port policies, and procedures.
• Oversee security by monitoring access control and CCTV and communicating updates to staff.
• Plan staffing to maintain 24/7 ACC coverage and handle leave requests and shift coverage.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision making

Team coordination

Conflict resolution

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in aviation, business, public safety or related field

Tools

CJIS clearance

PDX security clearance

Job description

The Port of Portland is hiring new Communications Supervisors to lead the Airport Communications Center (ACC): the 24/7 communications hub that helps keep Portland International Airport operating safely and efficiently. This is an opportunity to lead people, solve complex operational challenges, and play a key role in supporting one of the region's busiest transportation systems.

As a Communications Supervisor, you'll lead a team of represented employees across multiple bargaining units who coordinate communications for airport maintenance, operations, emergency response, and customer information. You'll provide day-to-day leadership, remove barriers so your team can do their best work, and make operational decisions that keep the airport running smoothly.

You'll work closely with Airport Communications Center leadership and partners across PDX to keep information flowing, coordinate resources, and support employees who are at the center of airport operations. Success in this role comes from building trust, communicating clearly, and helping your team respond confidently in a fast-paced environment.

Why This Matters

The Airport Communications Center is the connection point for the people and services that keep PDX moving. Every day, the team helps coordinate maintenance, supports airport operations, shares critical information, and responds when plans change. As a Communications Supervisor, you'll provide the leadership that keeps those efforts organized, your team supported, and the airport ready to serve employees, airlines, tenants, and millions of travelers.

Communications Center Operations & Shift Leadership

• Lead day-to-day Airport Communications Center (ACC) operations, overseeing emergency communications, maintenance dispatch, paging, customer information, and other critical airport communication services.
• Serve as the primary on-duty supervisor, making timely operational decisions, resolving escalated issues, and ensuring safe, efficient, and uninterrupted airport operations.
• Monitor communications, workflows, and service delivery to ensure compliance with ACC procedures, Port policies, and regulatory requirements.

Security Surveillance

• Monitor access control systems and CCTV to help ensure restricted areas and airport infrastructure remain secure.
• Communicate relevant TSA, FAA, and other security updates to staff and serve as an initial coordination point for low-level security incidents, escalating as appropriate.

Training & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and support represented employees across multiple bargaining units, providing feedback and addressing performance, attendance, and workplace concerns.
• Ensure employees receive required training, certifications, and ongoing development in operational procedures, emergency response, and security protocols.
• Work with trainers and trainees to monitor progress, document performance, and provide real-time coaching on the operations floor.

Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct quality assurance reviews of call handling, dispatch activities, response times, and other operational performance measures; identify trends and address non-compliance.
• Ensure compliance with FAA, TSA, Port, and other applicable requirements, and recommend improvements that enhance the effectiveness and consistency of Communications Center operations.
• Participate in labor-related matters, including Step 1 grievance resolution and other discussions as appropriate.

Staffing, Scheduling & Workforce Management

• Plan and adjust staffing to maintain 24/7 Communications Center coverage and meet changing operational demands.
• Approve leave requests, coordinate shift coverage, and respond to staffing shortages while supporting employee well-being and operational continuity.

• High school diploma or GED is required. A bachelor's degree in aviation, business, public safety, or a related field is preferred; additional relevant experience may substitute for education requirements.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in an airport environment, communications center, public safety answering point (PSAP), or similar operational setting is required. Lead or supervisory experience is preferred.
• Valid driver's license.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation is required, including the ability to obtain and maintain a PDX security clearance and CJIS clearance.
• Ability to obtain required certifications within established timelines, including:
  • DPSST certification within 12 months of hire.
  • LEDS certification within 6 months of hire.
  • Airport Security Coordinator certification within 6 months of hire.
  • Facilities Management Professional certification within 24 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Advanced ability – Lead teams, make timely decisions, and manage operations in a high-pressure, 24/7 environment.
• Advanced ability – Build effective partnerships and coordinate with airport operations, law enforcement, emergency responders, maintenance teams, and other stakeholders.
• Advanced skill – Coach, develop, and support employees while fostering accountability and a collaborative team environment.
• Intermediate knowledge – Airport operations, communications center functions, emergency response coordination, and operational procedures.
• Intermediate knowledge – Airport security requirements, access control processes, and applicable TSA/FAA regulations.
• Intermediate skill – Conflict resolution, problem-solving, and clear communication during routine and irregular operations.

Working Conditions:

This position requires an onsite presence most days, typically Monday-Friday, to support daily operations and frontline teams.

Selection Process: (tentative schedule):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until this role closes on 10/5/26.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

3. Candidates selected to move forward in the interview process will be contacted directly. Screening Interviews are scheduled to take place October 20-21. Successful candidates will be invited to Panel Interviews, scheduled to take place on November 12.