| Location | Middletown, PA |
| Salary | $90,000–$100,000 Per Year |
Job Title: Manager
Department: Airfield Maintenance
Reports To: Deputy Director of Maintenance
Prepared Date: October 2026
FLSA Status: Exempt
SUMMARY:
The Airfield Maintenance Manager – Grounds & Fleet Maintenance is responsible for overseeing grounds maintenance operations at MDT Airport, and the maintenance, repair, and readiness of the airport’s vehicle and equipment fleet at MDT, CXY, W05 and N68 Airports. This position supports safe, compliant, and efficient airfield operations by supervising staff; coordinating work activities; developing and managing preventive maintenance programs; and ensuring adherence to FAA regulations, airport policies, and safety standards.
The Manager works closely with the Deputy Director of Maintenance and other airport departments to maintain airfield surfaces, landscaped areas, stormwater systems, and support equipment while ensuring fleet assets are properly maintained, documented, and available to support operations year-round, including snow and ice control activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational Oversight
· Plans, prioritizes, assigns, and coordinates airfield grounds and fleet maintenance activities through subordinate supervisors, foremen, and lead workers.
· Oversee maintenance and repair of airfield surfaces, taxiways, aprons, roadways, drainage systems, fencing, landscaped areas, and non-paved grounds to ensure compliance with FAA certification standards
· Develops and implements preventive maintenance, inspection, and repair of airport vehicles, heavy equipment, and powered and non-powered fleet assets to ensure readiness and reliability.
Fleet & Equipment Management
· Administers the airport’s fleet preventive maintenance and repair programs; monitor work quality, timelines, and compliance with specifications and safety standards
· Coordinate fleet availability with airfield maintenance operations, snow and ice control activities, and emergency response requirements.
· Development of vehicle and equipment specifications, fleet replacement planning, surplus disposal activities, and procurement of parts, materials, and equipment.
Work Order, Planning & Budget Support
· Utilize and oversee the work order management system to track labor, materials, costs, and completion of grounds and fleet maintenance activities.
· Estimate project timelines, staffing needs, and material costs; recommend solutions to minimize impacts on airport operations and construction activities
· Prepare and monitor operating and capital budgets related to airfield grounds, fleet maintenance, and equipment replacement programs.
Snow & Emergency Operations
· Plan, coordinate, and execute airfield snow and ice control operations, including staffing assignments, equipment readiness, and material availability.
· Serve as command during snow events or emergencies as assigned.
· Ensure personnel are trained and capable of safe airfield operations, including radio communications and movement area procedures.
Supervision & Workforce Development
· Supervise, coach, train, conduct performance evaluations, and discipline of grounds and fleet maintenance personnel in accordance with Authority policies and labor agreements.
· Promote a strong safety culture by enforcing safe work practices, conducting safety training, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and departmental safety requirements.
Coordination & Compliance
· Coordinate maintenance activities with operations, engineering, facilities, electrical, automotive, environmental staff, contractors, consultants, and FAA ATCT personnel as required.
· Support compliance with environmental regulations, erosion control measures, fueling systems oversight, and hazardous materials handling as applicable.
Additional Responsibilities
· Perform complementary customer service functions consistent with airport customer service standards.
· Perform other duties or assignments delegated by proper authority.
SUPERVISION:
The Manager of Airfield Maintenance directly manages and supervises staff members in the Airfield Maintenance department, Grounds and Fleet maintenance, or as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience:
· Bachelor’s or Associate degree in aviation management, facilities management, construction management, automotive technology, heavy equipment maintenance, or ten (10) years of experience in a related field preferred.
· Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in airfield maintenance, grounds maintenance, fleet maintenance, or related public works or industrial operations.
· Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience overseeing maintenance personnel, work crews, or technical staff.
· Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience working in a FAA Part 139 certificated airport environment.
· Experience with preventive maintenance programs, work order management systems, and maintenance recordkeeping.
· Minimum of three (3) years supporting snow and ice control operations and emergency response activities in an operational environment.
Required Licenses, Certificates, Conditions:
· Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
· Ability to successfully pass a ten-year background and criminal history investigation and obtain an Airport Identification Badge.
· Ability to complete and maintain all required FAA, TSA, OSHA, and Authority training.
· Ability to obtain a PA Pesticide License within 120 days of hire.
Cognitive Tasks:
· Ability to comprehend, retain, and apply complex oral and written instructions, technical manuals, regulations, and operational procedures.
· Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making in a dynamic airfield environment involving safety-critical operations.
· Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple work activities, deadlines, and competing operational demands simultaneously.
· Ability to analyze maintenance needs, equipment readiness, staffing requirements, and operational constraints to develop practical solutions.
· Ability to interpret FAA Part 139 requirements, airport policies, safety standards, and environmental regulations and apply them to daily operations.
· Ability to investigate operational issues, evaluate alternatives, and recommend corrective actions with minimal impact to airport operations.
· Ability to organize, maintain, and review detailed records, reports, work orders, budgets, and compliance documentation.
· Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with staff, management, FAA Air Traffic Control, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
· Ability to remain focused and make timely decisions during emergency situations, snow and ice control operations, and other high-pressure events.
· Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with management, supervisors, and other airport departments.
Physical Demands:
· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the airport, maintenance shops, and airfield environments.
· The employee is frequently required to use hands and arms to reach, handle, and operate office equipment, vehicles, and inspection tools.
· The employee may occasionally be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl to inspect work sites, equipment, or facilities.
· The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.
· Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
· The employee must be able to hear and communicate clearly in person, by radio, and by telephone in a high-noise operational environment.
· The employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and, at times, respiratory or other protective devices appropriate to the task being performed.
· The employee must be able to safely operate motor vehicles and equipment and access all areas of the airfield, including secured and restricted areas.
Work Environment:
· Work is performed in a combination of office, shop, and outdoor airfield environments.
· Regular exposure to extreme weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, precipitation, and snow during year-round operations.
· Frequent exposure to moving vehicles, heavy equipment, aircraft operations, and construction activities in active movement and non-movement areas of the airfield.
· Occasional exposure to loud noise, fumes, dust, fuel, oils, chemicals, and other airborne particles associated with maintenance and fleet operations.
· Work may involve irregular hours, extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs, particularly during snow and ice control operations or emergency events.
· Position requires compliance with all airport security, safety, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
· Work is conducted in a safety-sensitive environment requiring constant situational awareness and adherence to established procedures to ensure the safety of employees, contractors, and the traveling public.
Language and Communication Skills:
· Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in the English language.
· Ability to clearly and concisely communicate operational instructions, safety information, and technical details to staff, supervisors, and management.
· Ability to communicate effectively via two-way radio using proper aviation and maintenance terminology, including coordination with FAA Air Traffic Control and airport operations personnel.
· Ability to prepare clear written reports, work orders, correspondence, and documentation related to maintenance activities, compliance, and operational status.
· Ability to communicate professionally with contractors, consultants, tenants, regulatory agencies, and members of the public.
· Ability to listen effectively, respond appropriately to questions or concerns, and convey information in a calm, respectful manner, particularly in high-pressure or emergency situations.
· Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group settings related to work performance, safety, training, and operational planning.
Mathematical Skills:
· Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Computer Skills:
· Proficiency in the use of standard office software, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
· Ability to use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or work order systems to track labor, materials, equipment maintenance, and project status.
· Ability to review, analyze, and generate reports related to maintenance activities, fleet performance, costs, and compliance.
· Ability to use scheduling, inventory, and asset management software to support preventive maintenance and operational planning.
· Basic proficiency in database systems, document management, and electronic recordkeeping.
· Familiarity with, or ability to learn and effectively use, Pennsylvania vehicle safety inspection and emissions inspection reporting software as required.
· Ability to learn and effectively use specialized airport, fleet, fueling, or regulatory software systems as required.
The Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority (SARAA) is the governing authority of the Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), Capital City Airport, Franklin County Regional Airport, and Gettysburg Regional Airport in south-central Pennsylvania. HIA is a small hub commercial airport that serves approximately 1.4 million passengers annually and also three general aviation airports.
Our Mission is provide safe, convenient, and affordable airports connecting Central Pennsylvania to the world
We're always looking for great people to join our team at SARAA. To help make sure our employees are always prepared for our ever-changing business environment, we continually invest in their training.