Ground Operations Crew - Cheektowaga, NY

MSCCN; Town of Cheektowaga (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

JetBlue is seeking a Ground Operations Crew member for BUF to load/unload bags, operate ground service equipment, and assist with cabin prep for departures. The role requires strong customer service skills and the ability to work outdoors in varying weather, with a focus on safety and teamwork.

Responsibilities include operating tug and de-icing equipment, coordinating ramp activities, and communicating with the cockpit and crew via radio.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of customer service experience required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Fully fluent in written and spoken English.
• Able to travel and/or work variable hours, including holidays and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Operate ground service equipment and vehicles.
• Load/unload bags (>100 lbs) from aircraft.
• Assist cabin preparation for boarding and departure.
• Communicate with cockpit, dispatch, and crewmembers via radio.
• Maintain safety and respond to ad-hoc requests as needed.

Skills

Customer service

English fluency

Radio communication

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Handheld radios

Job description

Position Title: Ground Operations Crew (BUF)

Unless specifically stated otherwise, this role is "On-Site" at the location detailed in the job post.

Position Summary

The Ground Operations Crew loads and unloads customer bags, operates ground service equipment which includes operation of motor vehicles, coordinates the servicing of arriving and departing aircraft, helps prepare aircraft cabin for departure, and assists with ramp service duties including waste disposal and re-servicing of aircraft. The Ground Operations Crew will also assist customers when needed and complies with any ad-hoc requests as needed. Individuals must be comfortable serving customers and proficient in using computers. Crewmembers must be prepared to work outdoors under various weather-related conditions.

Essential Responsibilities

• Operate ground service equipment which includes motor vehicles, tugs, and elevated de-icing equipment
• Services aircraft by operating ground service equipment (Potable water truck, ground power unit, tug, aircraft pushback, lavatory truck, deicing truck, etc.)
• Works in a ramp environment
• Tags, lifts, loads and unloads customer bags (in excess of 100 lbs) from baggage compartment of aircraft and baggage system
• Operates external aircraft equipment
• Helps prepare cabin for customer boarding and departure, which can include cleaning of seats, seat pockets, floor, galleys and lavatories
• Assist customers with special needs, e.g. customers who need assistance in boarding
• Guides aircraft to and from aircraft parking locations
• Carry a handheld radio and communicate effectively with proper radio etiquette
• Occasionally assist with loading and unloading mail, small packages and human remains
• Ensure and maintain a safe environment and operation
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Diploma
• One (1) year of customer service or sales experience
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Complete fluency in written and spoken English
• Must be able to adhere to JetBlue Uniform Policy Manual Standards
• Able to travel and/or work variable hours, flexible shifts, including holidays and weekends
• Able to follow safety guidelines
• Able to perform under pressure and within fixed time constraints
• Able to work in all types of weather conditions
• Able to make occasional trips to other locations for training or temporary assignment
• Must be able to give and receive verbal communication
• Must be able to use handheld radios and headsets to communicate with the cockpit, dispatch, and other crewmembers
• Maintaining a positive, good-natured attitude is essential
• Ability to handle objects up to fifty (50) pounds frequently and/or seventy to one hundred (70-100) pounds occasionally with the assistance of other people or tools and be in a position where bending, crouching, kneeling is needed
• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge
• Depending on location, may need to acquire and maintain a United States Customs Clearance
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License and a driving record from the state of your primary residence that meets JetBlue Airways insurance standards
• Candidates must complete an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics of Adaptability, Safety Orientation, and Teamwork using AI- or statistically-based scoring
• Available for occasional overnight travel (10%)
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
• Authorization to work in the US is required, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
• For internal candidates, good standing in attendance performance and safety

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Previous airline experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite

Crewmember Expectations

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice
• Able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion, and Fun
• Promote JetBlue’s #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador, supporting JetBlue’s Safety Management System (SMS) components, Safety Policy and behavioral standards
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue’s confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or Safety Action Report (SAR))
• Responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT, etc.) and Company policies, procedures and risk controls
• Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
• The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position

Equipment

• Computer/Electronic Tablet and other office equipment
• Ground service equipment
• Handheld radios
• Public Address System
• Jet bridge and/or air stairs (Customer enplaning/deplaning equipment)
• Free-standing computer kiosks used to identify and process Customer reservations
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens and signs

Certificates/Security Clearances/Other

Work Environment

• Airport Ramp environment; the outdoor environment may present weather variations and elevated noise levels
• Ability to work weekends or irregular shifts
• Able to make occasional trips to other locations for training or temporary assignment
• Subject to weather and elevated noise levels within airports
• Ability to stand for an extended period of time

Physical Effort

Moderate physical activity required by handling objects up to fifty (50) pounds frequently and/or seventy to one hundred (70-100) pounds occasionally with the assistance of other people or tools and be in a position where bending, crouching, kneeling, etc. is needed.

Compensation

The base pay for this position starts at $18.15. Base pay is one component of JetBlue’s total compensation package, which may also include access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.