Airport Operations Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Under the general direction of the Airport Operations Supervisor, the Airport Operations Specialist assists in the monitoring and general maintenance and repair of Kenai Municipal Airport grounds, facilities, and equipment. The employee is required to work independently without direct supervision and be capable of making independent decisions regarding priorities and safe equipment use. Knowledge of general repair and maintenance practices, methods, procedures, tools and equipment and the ability to operate heavy and light equipment is required.

• Operate and maintain a variety of small and heavy equipment, including snowblowers, lawnmowers, brush cutting equipment, trimmers, weed eaters, farm tractors, graders, loaders, sanders, and runway brooms.

• Perform a variety of routine general maintenance and grounds maintenance, including but not limited to airfield lighting, markings, and signage; doors, gates, fences, buildings, and pavement; and general maintenance of grass, plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs.

• Monitor vehicle and aircraft parking lots to ensure spaces are paid for and vehicles are parked appropriately; collect fees; write parking tickets as necessary.

• Assist in the monitoring of airport construction activities; assess airfield conditions for safe aircraft operations; maintain records; and issue Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs).

• Remove and plow snow from the airfield, parking lots, sidewalks, entrances, and related areas utilizing hand tools and/or machinery; spread salt or sand on icy areas.

• Winterize outdoor facilities, plants, and trees including wrapping/unwrapping trees; install and remove winter and summer decorations as necessary.

• Conduct periodic and daily airfield and facilities inspections.

• Perform a variety of general cleanup duties including removing litter and debris in and around Airport terminal; haul garbage; clean bathrooms as necessary.

• Maintain airport safety and security; check gates and fences.

• Conduct wildlife management in accordance with the airport's approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.

• Respond to airport emergencies and other incidents at the airport in accordance with the airport's approved Airport Emergency Plan.

• Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures pertaining to airport certification requirements.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, via radio, cell phone, and email, and work cooperatively with other City Departments, employees, contractors, vendors, and the general public.

• Attend meetings, department training, and other continuing education programs.

• Maintain regular, reliable and predictable attendance at work.

• Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

• Possess a valid Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.

• Possess or obtain within six (6) months of appointment a valid Alaska Class "B" commercial driver's license without an Air Brakes L Restriction.

• This position governed by the City of Kenai's Drug and Alcohol policy and Department of Transportation (DOT) CDL regulations. The successful applicant will be given a conditional job offer conditioned on the applicant receiving a negative result on a pre-employment drug test. Regulations also require the City to obtain drug and alcohol information and testing results from the applicant's employers for the previous two years. Past violations may make the applicant ineligible for hire unless evidence is provided to the City that the applicant has successfully completed DOT's Return to Duty Requirements.

• The applicant (or employee after hire) may be subject to background investigations, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet security requirements for federal agencies regulating airport operations.

• Must be available to work varying schedules, including weekends, holidays, and occasional shift extensions.  The schedule will vary seasonally based upon a 40-hour work week, and the employee will be required to perform some work on weekends and nights and respond to emergency call-outs when available.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the operation and maintenance of a wide range of heavy and light equipment.

• Experience troubleshooting and repairing airfield electrical systems.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level.  Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, during day and at night or in the dark, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures. Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.  Noise from heavy equipment, hammers, saws, and other tools is frequent.  Employee is sometimes exposed to electrical energy and moving objects/vehicles. There is dust and sometimes dirt when repairing structures and operating tools.  The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances.   The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform some work inside a vehicle, including operating radios, and a cell phone.  Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate hand and power tools, telephones, radios, and some general office equipment); to work both inside and outside in all types of weather; to sit, stand, walk, stoop, crouch, lift, bend, and reach with hands and arms; to climb ladders; and to work in confined spaces.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently. The employee is frequently required to operate heavy equipment and sit for extended periods of time.  The employee must be able to climb in and out of heavy equipment vehicles, work in small spaces, and must be able to perform strenuous work in inclement weather.  

Specific vision abilities required include close, distance and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in-person as well as on a telephone and radio.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.