Airport Operations Manager

Company: St. Joseph County Airpo
Location: South Bend
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Airport Operations FLSA Status: Exempt Reports To: Assistant Vice President of Operations and Maintenance Schedule: The work week is Monday-Friday, generally working a minimum of 40 hours/week aligned with the core administration hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm; however, hours may vary depending on departmental needs including early morning, evening, and weekend hours as needed. Salary : $85,000-$100,000/annually DOE Position Summary Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice President of Operations and Maintenance, this position provides strategic operations leadership. Working closely with the Assistant Operations Manager, the Operations Manager ensures the safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of airfield operations and supports coordination with terminal and landside functions as needed. The role manages Operations staff, supports daily operational planning and decision-making, participates in construction and maintenance project coordination, coordinates emergency preparedness and response efforts, and helps drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen safety culture, operational reliability, and overall departmental performance. Related duties are performed as assigned. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Examples of duties may include, but are not limited to: Manage FAA Part 139 Certification program to include daily inspections; document discrepancies and perform follow-up with appropriate agency or department to ensure timely completion. Ensure compliance with FAA and TSA regulations (including but not limited to FAR 77 and 139 and TSAR 1540 and 1542). In conjunction with Assistant Operations Manager, ensure smooth operations inside the terminal, including passenger flow and assistance with crowd control. Coordinate the operations emergency response to all aircraft accidents, incidents and phases and assist in the coordination of Airport Authority employees and outside responding agencies. Ensure that NOTAMs are issued, accurate, and cancelled as required. Act as the Safety Management System Manager and execute all duties as indicated in the SMS Plan. Provide insight, guidance, and operational perspective to Airport Projects department for adherence to FAA and TSA regulatory issues. Maintain, review, and update the Airport Certification Manual (ACM) and Letters of Agreement, to ensure approval by the Federal Aviation Administration. Manage “Snow Desk” responsibilities as indicated in the Snow and Ice Control Plan. Coordinate with Snow Boss during significant snow operations. Make budget recommendations to the Assistant Vice President of Operations and Maintenance with respect to items concerning the Operations Department. Manage direct reports providing performance feedback, training, and counseling to ensure policies and procedures are applied fairly, consistently, and equitably. Maintain, review and update the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) to include implementation and proper permitting from the Airport’s regulatory agencies. Maintain, review and update the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. Provide overall management of, and coordinate with Human Resources in the direction of, a safety program for employees, ensuring consistency in use of safety equipment and in meeting record keeping requirements, i.e., OSHA, HazMat, personal injury, property damage, etc. Participate in random airport worker screenings as needed. Maintain intra- and inter-departmental cooperation and teamwork. Perform any other duties as may be assigned. Support the Airport Authority mission, vision, and values statements in all aspects of work. All employees are expected to be part of our customer service team as Dedicated Customer Care Specialists. Qualifications To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty in a satisfactory manner. 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. Minimum Qualifications / Functional Requirements Position Specific Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in Airport Management, Public Administration, Business Management, or a related discipline. Four to five years in a responsible position involving airport operations; at least 2 years of supervisory level role in a commercial airport environment. Completion of NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 within 3 (three) months of employment. Experience with Airside, Landside, and Terminal Operations. Experience with department budget planning and tracking. Department Specific Must possess and maintain a valid United States, state issued, driver's license. Must complete and pass a comprehensive background and Criminal History Records check and be able to obtain security and access credentials. Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and physical. Must be able to obtain Airfield “Movement Area” driving certification for controlled access to all surfaces (runways, taxiways, aprons, etc.) within 3 (three) months of employment. Training to be provided. Position is required to constantly drive Authority vehicles on Airport grounds and public roadways. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Position Specific Knowledge of FAA Part 139 regulations. Knowledge of TSA Security Regulations Part 1542. Knowledge of FCC regulations and management license requirements to maintain radio frequency use. Understanding of principles and function of secure access control systems and associated components. Understanding of closed-circuit camera systems purpose, functions, and software from an Airport Operations perspective. Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) Knowledge of Construction Safety Phasing Plans (CSPP). Knowledge of safety precautions and practices common to Airport Operations department. Must be capable of working on highly technical aviation related operating equipment with the highest degree of safety. Ability to record and document airport activity in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Department Specific Knowledge of OSHA safety rules. Knowledge of two-way radio communication skills utilizing aviation radio procedures and use of the phonetic alphabet. Ability to understand, speak, read, and write fluent English. Ability to receive, understand, and follow verbal and written directions. Ability to operate independently and/or within a team environment. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, Airport tenants, and contractors. Ability to respond to emergencies in a timely manner. Ability to work in a fast-paced maintenance environment. Ability to learn, understand and remember normal tasks. Ability to work within expected timelines. Ability to provide exceptional customer service and interact with passengers to include those who may be emotionally distressed and/or have disabilities (hidden or otherwise). Work Environment The role involves a combination of indoor and outdoor settings, including administrative offices, airport grounds, and operational vehicles. Indoor tasks are conducted in a professional office environment with controlled temperatures and typical workplace noise. Outdoor responsibilities require working in various weather conditions, ranging from extreme heat to cold, with exposure to high noise levels from aircraft and ground equipment. Time spent in vehicles is necessary for monitoring airfield operations and coordinating activities across different airport areas. Exposure to dust, grease, excessive vibration, and/or noxious gas or fumes may be occasionally expected. Safety protocols must be followed in all work environments. Physical Requirements Exposure to dust, grease, excessive noise or vibration, noxious gas or fumes and/or extreme outdoor weather conditions may be occasionally expected. Ability to see and read letters, numbers, characters, and symbols. Vision abilities required include close, distant, color, peripheral, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Vision acuity of 20/40 corrected or better. Ability to see and work at night and in dimly lit conditions as necessary. Ability to lift large pieces of equipment, including bending and squatting, up to and including 40 lbs. Ability to walk, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel and stand for prolonged periods of time, up to 8 hrs. Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time, up to 12 hours. Ability to walk and work on unstable soil conditions. Work performed requires the ability to speak and hear.

Keywords: St. Joseph County Airpo, Portage , Airport Operations Manager, Energy / Utilities , South Bend, Michigan