Airport Operations Specialist I/II (Open and Promotional)

Company:  County of San Mateo
Location: Redwood City
Closing Date: 07/11/2024
Salary: £125 - £150 Per Annum
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent
Job Requirements / Description

The County of San Mateo's Department of Public Works is seeking applications for the position of Airport Operations Specialist I/II . There is currently one vacancy in the Airports Division.


The Airport Operations Specialist I/II role is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations at the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay Airports, including but not limited to airside and landside inspections, submitting and tracking work orders, maintaining compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and providing a high level of customer service to airport users. This opportunity invites candidates to contribute to the heart of airport operations, where every task is essential for our airports’ community safety and success.


The selected candidate for this position will have:

  • Experience in aviation operations.
  • Strong customer service skills to deal effectively with requests, inquiries, and complaints from airport users and the public.
  • The ability to coordinate and complete multiple projects.
  • The ability to work effectively as a team member and individually.
  • The ability to make sound judgments and good decisions under pressure and in emergency situations.
  • Experience using various computer applications and the aptitude to learn new technology.

Additional characteristics of the selected candidate include the skill and ability to :

  • Interpret and apply federal aviation standards and regulations.
  • Perform regular inspections and reports on the airfield, facilities, hangars, perimeter, lighting, navigational aids, and security equipment.
  • Explain and enforce County of San Mateo Airports’ policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
  • Assist in the coordination of construction and crane operations on and off the airports.
  • Climb 60-foot ladders.

The candidate chosen for this position will work at both the San Carlos and Half Moon Bay airports and will work weekend and holiday shifts. The position could be filled at the Airport Operations Specialist I level or at the Airport Operations Specialist II level, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Airport Operations Specialist I salary range: $65,624.00 - $82,056.00 Annually
Airport Operations Specialist II salary range: $73,070.40 - $91,312.00 Annually.

About the County of San Mateo Airports Division
Located in the scenic settings of Northern California, the Half Moon Bay and San Carlos Airports are integral parts of the County of San Mateo’s aviation landscape. Both airports serve as vital assets to the community, not only in terms of transportation but also as crucial hubs for emergency services.

The airports provide a variety of emergency services and response functions including Air-Ambulance and Medivac flights; law enforcement and homeland security patrols; and Coast Guard sea-rescue operations, emphasizing their role in community safety and disaster relief.

The County of San Mateo Airports are vibrant centers for aviation activities, home to approximately 400 aircraft and more than 25 aviation-related businesses. With San Carlos Airport generating over 100,000 aircraft operations annually, these airports are not just transit points but also key contributors to the local economy. The airports are self-funded through user fees.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Perform regular inspections, prepare reports on facilities, runways, hangars, fences, and lighting equipment conditions, and perform necessary repairs and maintenance as needed.
  • Ensure that the overall appearance of airport grounds and facilities, including the removal of obstacles from runways and approaches, controlling weeds, and removing trash are identified and completed and/or routed to the appropriate person(s) for completion.
  • Operate a variety of motor vehicles such as pickup trucks, sweeping machines, light equipment, and other related equipment.
  • Gather and provide information to airport users regarding local air traffic procedures, arrival and departure routes, noise abatement procedures, airport facilities, and other local services.
  • Monitor airport activities and self-serve fueling operations to ensure safety and compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local regulations.
  • Provide ground support and assistance to the FAA and control tower as needed.
  • Provide support and assistance for distressed or disabled aircraft and assist in emergency operations by providing first aid, operating radio, providing information, and notifying fire and other emergency services.
  • Explain and enforce County Airports rules and regulations.
  • Receive and process tenant and business maintenance requests, resolving situations when able, providing information, and maintaining accurate records for referral when applicable.
  • Maintain records on airport supplies, facilities, services, and equipment utilization including traffic, overnight parking fees, and airport supplies.
  • May be on-call after hours.
  • Use various technology to enter and retrieve information.
  • Train other airport staff.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

  • Accepted emergency practices, procedures and regulations including First Aid, CPR and aircraft fire fighting and rescue techniques.
  • Airport safety and operations procedures, including air traffic control, crash, fire, and rescue procedures.
  • Ground keeping repair and maintenance.
  • Record keeping principles and methods.
  • Operations and Maintenance of airport vehicles, equipment, facilities and grounds.
  • Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

Skill/Ability to:

  • Perform a wide variety of mechanical and facilities maintenance tasks; work and coordinate projects and troubleshoot maintenance issues.
  • Use hand, electric and pneumatic power tools.
  • Operate machinery, such as commercial mowers and other maintenance equipment.
  • Effectively deal with requests, inquiries and complaints from airport users and the general public.
  • Perform support tasks, including keeping accurate records, making arithmetic calculations, handling cash, and filing.
  • Perform tasks, including daily inspection checklists, shift hand-down notes, briefings and incident reports.
  • Use various computer applications and learn new technology.
  • Follow oral and written instructions, including safety rules, procedures and practices.
  • Make sound judgments and good decisions under pressure and in emergency situations.
  • Work courteously and effectively with the public and with co-workers.
  • Apply safety rules, procedures, and practices and respond appropriately to emergency situations.
  • Provide first responder services, including First Aid, AED and limited ARFF response.
  • Work independently with little supervision.
  • Work on-call as assigned or needed.
  • Write accurate and detailed reports using a microcomputer.
  • Perform activities, such as handling fire hoses, climbing 60-foot ladders, and lifting airport related equipment up to 50 pounds.
  • Meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing requirements and standards.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

I level: One year of experience in performing general maintenance duties or Airport Operations responsibilities.
II level: Two years of experience in performing airport operations and maintenance duties.

Licensure/Certification:

  • Possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.
  • Obtain AAAE ACE Certification within 12 months of hire.

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Tentative Recruitment Schedule
Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, by 11:59 PST
Application Screening: Thursday, November 21, 2024

Panel Interview Dates: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 and/or Thursday, December 5, 2024

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.


Analyst: Sarah Huynh (02142024) (Airport Operations Specialist – M002)

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