Airport Operations Specialist

Airport Operations Specialist

Salary

$25.27 - $37.13 Hourly

Location

Employment Services

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

824106-15

Department

Lakeland Linder International Airport

Division

Lakeland Linder Intl Airpt Ops 0601100000

Opening Date

10/30/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This position supports various activities, including airfield inspections, credentialing, and the efficient flow of aircraft and passengers. Individuals must focus on airport operations safety, security, and efficiency and be willing to complete other operational duties as assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of a designated supervisor and checked for accuracy, quality, and the ability to complete work in a timely and cost-effective manner.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts FAR Part 139 airfield inspections; assesses airfield conditions for safe aircraft operations, records discrepancies, issues airport NOTAMs, and generates work orders as required.
• Conducts airport facility inspections, ensuring satisfactory service, repair, and maintenance levels, and generating work orders as required.
• Conducts wildlife management following the airports approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
• Responds to airport emergencies and other incidents at the airport following the airports approved Airport Emergency Plan.
• Assists with airfield driver training, security training, emergency training, airport familiarization training, and other training as required by local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to FAR Part 139.
• Conducts screening of applicants for security credentials following the airports approved Airport Security Plan.
• Assists in the distribution, control, accountability, and verification of airport access systems.
• Escorts contractors and vendors needing access to airport facilities.
• Acts as liaison between the airport and other private and governmental entities as necessary.
• Responds to questions and inquiries from the public, airport tenants and users, airlines, and governmental agencies.
• Refers complaints and other matters as appropriate to other airport personnel.
• Ensures compliance with all federal regulations pertaining to airport operations, safety, certification, and security, including monitoring and evaluating daily activities of airside and landside operations.
• Researches and compiles data to support reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, on-call schedule, and be available for response to after-hour emergencies.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• Required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the airport.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• High school diploma from an accredited school or a GED.
• Two years of training and experience in airport operations.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Must pass a ten-year fingerprint-based criminal history records check (CHRC) and security threat assessment (STA).
• May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Federal rules and regulations relating to airport operations, design, and construction.
• Aircraft types and performance characteristics.
• Airfield communications procedures, navigational aids, and meteorological phenomena.

SKILLS:

• Using computer-based applications, including but not limited to the operation of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other typical software applications used in an office environment.

ABILITIES:

• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Write reports and provide documented recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with airport users, tenants, contractors, government agencies, City employees, and the public.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Light manual work that involves walking or standing often, the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and sedentary work that involves routine keyboard operations
• Exposure to hot/cold temperatures, adverse weather, and wet/humid conditions.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

The City of Lakeland is a drug free workplace. This position is considered a mandatory testing position, which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. All City of Lakeland positions are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing. As a condition of employment you will be required to pass the pre-employment drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College - less than 30 credit hours
• Some College - 30 credit hours, but less than 60 credit hours
• Associates Degree or 60 credit hours
• 90 Credit Hours
• Bachelors Degree or 120 credit hours
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02

How many years of experience do you have in airport operations?

• No experience
• Some experience, but less than 1 year
• At least 1 year, but less than 2 years
• 2 years or more

03

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

04

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone (863)834-8790

Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices