Airport Safety Manager

Job Description:

Airport Safety Manager

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Airport Safety Manager
(Airport Manager, Senior)

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive a salary increase on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The eligible list established through this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Airport Safety Manager positions within John Wayne Airport and the County of Orange. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY
The recruitment will close on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been a major cornerstone of Orange County for more than 100 years. Located in beautiful Southern California, we currently serve approximately 11.7 million annual passengers. We strive to provide a superior guest experience to ensure travel is convenient and stress-free. The County of Orange owns and operates the airport and the service area includes more than three million people within 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County and beyond.

As a medium hub airport, we have commercial flights to more than 40 nonstop destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Eleven commercial airlines and two air cargo airlines fly out of the Airport. It is home to nearly 500 general aviation (private, non-commercial) aircraft, representing 60% of total operations, and includes two full-service fixed base operators and one limited use general aviation facility.

• Mission : Connecting People, Places and Opportunities.
• Vision: To be an airport of choice by creating exceptional experiences.
• Core Values: REACH
  • R espect
  • E nvironmental Stewardship
  • A ccountability
  • C ollaboration
  • H onesty

View video: John Wayne Airport: The Little Things

View video: John Wayne Airport Core Values

To learn more about John Wayne Airport, click here. To learn more about the County of Orange, click here.

AIRPORT OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Airport Operations Division is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all Airport activities by ensuring that John Wayne Airport operates safely, securely, effectively, and within the scope of strict federal regulations. Each day, Airport Operations staff conduct airport safety inspections; address the needs of guests and tenants; issue airport identification badges and other access media; manage parking facilities; and monitor the activities of all ground transportation providers. The Airport Operations Division is also tasked with maintaining and educating Airport staff, other County Departments, tenants, and other business partners on the FAA-mandated Airport Certification Manual (ACM), which includes the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), and the Airport Safety Management Systems (SMS) program. In addition, the Operations Division is responsible for maintaining the Airport Security Plan (ASP) as required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and for the policy, procedures, and measurement of occupational health and safety for Orange County employees, tenants, vendors, and contractors to comply with the California Occupational Safety and Health Act (Cal/OSHA).

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Airport Safety Manager (SMS) is responsible for maintaining all aspects of a comprehensive safety program at John Wayne Airport. This includes implementing, maintaining, guiding, and educating internal and external personnel on safety policies and objectives, safety risk management, safety assurance actions, and safety promotion. The Airport SMS Manager position evaluates, improves, and leads interdepartmental and external personnel in operational safety programs with the goal of a proactive approach to ongoing safety improvement for everyone visiting and working at the airport.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Planning, developing, promoting, and administering all functional components of the Airport SMS program, using thorough knowledge of day-to-day airport and aircraft operations, Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139, FAA Advisory Circulars, and industry best practices
• Preparing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting safety-related data to assist in business decisions
• Organizing and leading regularly scheduled safety-focused meetings with multi-disciplined teams to include Airport, County department, air carrier, tenant, and contracted personnel
• Overseeing safety-related programs to ensure the safety of personnel, vehicles, and aircraft operating in and around terminal areas
• Manage personnel in accomplishing the following:
  • Conducting safety inspections and assessments of County facilities, airside, terminal, and landside areas
  • Maintaining JWA contractor and tenant compliance with contractual safety obligations as well as Federal, State and local regulations
  • Coordinating with County CEO Risk representatives on issues of workplace accidents and improvements
  • Review and manage health and safety plans of contracted vendors to ensure compliance with local, State, and Federal regulations

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
Five (5) years of professional airport operational experience in an area of assignment that includes the knowledge and application of Federal and State regulations related to airport safety including but not limited to FAA, CalOSHA, or OSHA regulations. Experience must demonstrate two (2) years of supervisory experience.

A Bachelor’s degree in airport management, aviation, civil engineering, or related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
A Master’s degree in airport management, aviation, civil engineering, or related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies:
Professional and Technical

• Assisting or leading the development, implementation, and maintenance of an aviation SMS program
• Utilizing project or program management tools and techniques to plan, organize, allocate resources, track progress to ensure milestone and final deadlines are met
• Current knowledge of Federal and local legislation, policies, regulations, and issues that pertain to the technical and service aspects of the assignment and c urrent knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the professional scope of work
• Establish Airport-wide training programs delivering health and safety initiatives to include employee, tenant and contractor safety training
• Intermediate to advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite software to include Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams

Leadership and Management

• Develop and lead Airport Safety Committees involving staff, tenants, and air traffic personnel
• Building effective working relationships inside and outside the organization
• Preparing goals and solutions using a data-driven, business-oriented approach consistent with the Airport's mission, vision, and values
• Represent the department in coordinating airport emergency and disaster management plans with federal agencies, local law enforcement departments, and emergency relief organizations
• Be well-informed of existing and new legislation to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements

Supervision

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities, including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and coaching
• Tailor development suggestions (e.g., training, designing and developing tools and best practices for use by Federal, State, and local jurisdictions, learning opportunities, and key experiences) to fit individual, team, and organizational needs
• Provide resources and support to ensure key strategies and results are achieved
• Address organizational needs to address employee, contractor, and tenant safety concerns

Effective Communication

• Analyzing SMS data to determine trends and statistics, then presenting the information clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively, both orally and in writing
• Collaborating with multidisciplined and cross-functional teams to integrate safety practices into daily work activities and tasks
• Organize and participate in Safety Risk Management panels and participate in working groups related to airfield and ramp safety
• Communicate effectively with all organizational levels
• Listen actively and build consensus among diverse groups to meet business objectives

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Analyzing SMS data to determine trends and statistics then presenting the information clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively, both orally and in writing
• Gather, analyze, and apply information skillfully
• Exhibit innovation and creativity to identify and resolve problems as they occur
• Oversee and participate in the assessment of safety hazards to analyze and document findings to mitigate identified risks
• Develop and recommend new and modified safety policies and establish program goals to address operational needs within the airport

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here to view the minimum qualifications for Airport Manager, Senior.

AIRPORT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
Employees must clear a background check, which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check, and Security Threat Assessment (STA) check. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Airport Access Badge with an Airport Driving Endorsement within ten (10) days of employment. Airport Access Badge must be maintained and renewed every two (2) years.

LICENSE REQUIRED
The successful candidate must possess, and maintain, a valid California Driver's License, Class C, or higher, by date of appointment.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Requirements
Possess vision sufficient to read standard text and a computer monitor and to drive a vehicle; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person to individuals and groups and over the telephone; possess body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop and bend routinely to perform daily tasks and to access a standard office environment; possess manual dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard, utilize office equipment and to write and drive; use a County approved means of transportation.

Environmental and Working Conditions
Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach conclusions and make recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests; possess the ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions.

Function effectively in a standard office environment.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, candidates who meet the minimum and desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All candidates will be notified via email of their status in the process. Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County is required.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) | (Weighted 100%)
An Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate the application, supplemental questionnaire, and resumes for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above.

Eligible List | Score Groups: Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions will be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed below may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in healthcare settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Bocicor at mbocicor@ocair.com or by phone at (949) 252-5174

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
  http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information .
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 2/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$122,969.60 - $170,310.40 Annually