Airport Operation Arff Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pay Range:

$25.39 - $29.87 Hourly (DOE)

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:

2026 Montrose County Benefit Information

General Statement of Duties: The Airport Operations Specialist ensures daily airport operation. Responsibilities include routine and emergency maintenance and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) response during air carrier operations.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the Airport Operations/ARFF Supervisor. Receives little instruction on day-to-day work, and general instructions on new assignments.

Supervision Exercised: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.

• Assists in the coordination of airport operations and airfield maintenance during assigned shift, ensuring the safety and security of the public, tenants, and airport staff.
• Ensure that all work performed complies with FAA and TSA regulations, the Airport Certification Manual, Airport Security Program, Montrose County Rules and Regulations, and other applicable federal, state, and local statutes, regulations and requirements.
• Assist in inspecting the airport complex (movement areas, non-movement areas, buildings, and facilities) to identify unsafe or non-compliant conditions.
• Maintain a daily log of activities, inspections and findings.
• Respond to aircraft emergencies and perform Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) duties to protect the life and property of airport users.
• Implement wildlife control measures in accordance with the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and applicable Federal and State regulations.
• Assist with snow and ice control procedures in accordance with the Snow and Ice Control Plan.
• Issue and monitor Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) ensuring prompt communication with FAA, air carriers, and other airport users.
• Perform airport security inspections and monitor airport security systems under requirements of Transportation Security Regulation Part 1542 (TSR1542).
• Perform gate guard duties, to include inspecting vehicles for authorization, badges, and escort procedures.
• Identify and perform routine and emergency maintenance on the Air Operations Area (AOA), including: airfield lighting, airfield signage, NAVAIDs, mowing, painting, crack sealing, fencing, etc.
• Make operational decisions in the absence of airport management to maintain operation of the airport.
• Respond to and document security violations, notifying the Airport Security Coordinator (ASC).
• Assist in monitoring airport construction activities, ensuring safety and security standards.
• Align day-to-day tasks and assignments with the department’s overarching goal to support operational success.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education: A High School graduate or equivalent.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year experience in airport operations/maintenance/ARFF or equivalent fields. Any combination of preparatory post-secondary education and/or progressively responsible professional experience in aviation management, transportation, business or public administration, or related airport operations. Experience should provide proficiency in:

• Airport Operations: Knowledge of airfield, terminal, and landside operations, with understanding of FAA, TSA, state, or military regulations.
• Airfield Maintenance: Skilled in operating heavy equipment, pavement maintenance, snow removal, airfield electrical systems, welding, and fabrication.
• Personnel Security and Safety: Familiarity with public safety, security protocols, and investigation techniques for protecting people, data, and property.

Required Knowledge: Federal Aviation Regulations Part 139 and Part 77, Airport Advisory Circulars, and Transportation Security Regulation 1542. General maintenance knowledge of plumbing, carpentry, and electrical. Maintenance knowledge of tractors, snow plows, snow brooms and front-end loaders desirable. NIMS/ICS: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.

Language Skills: Must have the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and the skill to organize materials and present information clearly and concisely in verbal and written form. Must understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Must have proficient knowledge of the English language, proper grammar, punctuation and spelling in other oral and written communication and have the ability to write routine reports and correspondences. Must be able to read, comprehend and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures required for this position, as well as, basic how-to documents and manuals. Ability to communicate with an air to ground and 800 MHz radio.

Interpersonal Skills: Must have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Must have a strong customer focus orientation and have the ability provide information, answering questions and taking messages. Must be able to accept interruptions in a polite and effective manner. Must have the ability to be an effective team member and maintain sensitive and confidential information. Must maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with customer/clients and the general public.

Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Skills: Must be able to apply basic principles of logic and reasoning to a variety of practical problems. Have problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Must have strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks. Must be able to exercise some independent judgment and function under pressure. Must be able to accomplish assigned tasks to meet established performance standards and objectives and thinks through the consequences of a decision prior to making it. 

Office Technology/Computer Skills: Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have fundamental experience with word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers, to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability, and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings. Ability to navigate uneven terrain. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations. Must be able to talk and listen, taste and smell. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment will be mostly on the air operations area (AOA) in outdoor weather conditions. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Ability to tolerate and be productive in a moderate to loud noise level in the work place. Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. Individual may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with airport emergency situations including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oil. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties.

Special Requirements:  Must be at least 18 years of age and possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License. On a yearly basis, must pass a Federal background investigation going back ten years. Ability to obtain and maintain FAA ARFF Certifications, including approved 40-hour ARFF Certification and 40-hour Basic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training. Ability to respond in the event of winter snow removal operations or emergency situations. Ability to troubleshoot and perform light equipment maintenance to include lubrication, spark plugs, changing tires and batteries. Ability to learn basic knowledge of airfield electrical systems including lights and signs. Completion of mandatory IS training courses 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.

This position requires the employee to be part of an on-call rotation schedule. An on-call employee is required to remain near a telephone, cell phone or pager and to respond to a call or page as soon as reasonably practicable. The on-call employee is free to pursue personal pursuits while on-call, but is expected to be reasonably available and within a reasonable distance of their work site during the entire on-call period for the purpose of responding to an emergency. The employee must also be mentally and physically able to perform the required work.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.