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Airport Operations Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Operations Manager - DCA Airport Inland Deicing Services is the world's premier airport deicing & environmental services company specializing in the management and processing of glycol effluent ...

HVAC Technician

Elkhart, IN ยท On-site

$26 - $32/hr

Every repair you make helps keep airport operations running safely and efficiently. Whether your background is in HVAC, refrigeration, automotive, diesel, or heavy equipment, if you enjoy diagnosing ...

Shift Supervisor- Airport

IN ยท On-site

$14.25 - $18.25/hr

Must have a valid driver's license to obtain an airport parking pass * Supervisory experience in ... Oversees daily shift operations and employee performance * Maximizes customer satisfaction by ...

SMS Analyst

Carmel, IN ยท On-site

Partners with Flight Operations, Maintenance & Engineering, Airport Operations, Inflight, Dispatch, and all Company departments on safety and SMS initiatives. * Conducts technical research and makes ...

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Airport Operations information

See Indiana salary details

$9

$22

$46

How much do airport operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for airport operations in Indiana is $22.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $26.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the job of airport operations?

Airport operations professionals are responsible for managing daily activities at an airport, including coordinating aircraft movements, ensuring safety and security protocols are followed, and overseeing ground services. They work to maintain efficient airport functioning, often using tools like communication radios and safety procedures, and may require certifications such as TSA or airport-specific training.

What does it mean to work in operations at the airport?

Working in airport operations involves coordinating and managing daily activities to ensure the smooth functioning of airport services, including aircraft movement, passenger flow, security, and baggage handling. It requires strong organizational skills, communication, and often involves working in a fast-paced environment with shift schedules. Employees may use tools like airport management systems and need relevant certifications or training depending on their specific role.

What is the highest paying job in an airport?

In airport operations, senior management roles such as Airport Director or Chief Operating Officer typically have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of airport regulations and safety protocols.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in Airport Operations?

A typical day in Airport Operations involves coordinating flight arrivals and departures, monitoring runway and terminal activities, responding to unexpected incidents like delays or weather disruptions, and ensuring compliance with safety and security standards. The role often requires close collaboration with airline staff, security teams, air traffic controllers, and ground crew to keep operations running smoothly. Shifts can vary to cover peak travel times, and multitasking is a constant part of the job. If you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy solving logistical challenges, you'll likely find the work both rewarding and impactful.

How to start a career in airport operations?

To start a career in airport operations, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should develop skills in customer service, communication, and safety procedures. Gaining relevant certifications, such as security or safety training, and obtaining experience through entry-level roles like baggage handler or customer service agent can also be beneficial.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Airport Operations position, and why are they important?

To excel in Airport Operations, you need a background in aviation management, logistics, or a related field, often supported by certifications such as AAAE (American Association of Airport Executives) or TSA security credentials. Familiarity with airport management systems, scheduling software, and safety compliance regulations is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure set top performers apart. These skills are critical for ensuring airport safety, efficient passenger and aircraft flow, and effective coordination with airlines and regulatory agencies.

What is an Airport Operations job?

An Airport Operations job involves overseeing the daily functions that keep an airport running efficiently and safely. Responsibilities may include coordinating airfield activity, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, managing emergency responses, and facilitating communication between departments such as security, maintenance, and airlines. Airport Operations staff work in both airside and landside areas, ensuring smooth passenger flow and aircraft movement. This role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment to handle unexpected challenges.

What are the most commonly searched types of Airport Operations jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Airport Operations jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Airport Operations jobs in Indiana? For Airport Operations jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Airport Operations jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Airport Operations jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Airport Operations jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Airport Operations job openings:
Infographic showing various Airport Operations job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,806 per year, or $23 per hour.
Division Chief, Special Operations - Airport Security & Training

Division Chief, Special Operations - Airport Security & Training

Indianapolis Airport Authority

Indianapolis, IN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

  • #1 Airport in North America and Indiana Chamber's Best Places to Work!
  • Paid Childcare Reimbursements up to $10k/year, per child.
  • Paid Tuition Assistance up to $5,250/year
  • Generous Medical, Dental, Vision and RX
  • Free Healthcare through Marathon Health
  • Pet Insurance
  • Up to 5% Match Retirement Plan
  • Generous Paid Time Off Programs & MORE!

The Division Chief, Special Operations - Airport Security & Training is a civilian role with leadership responsibilities overseeing security, operational development, and training functions within the IAA Department of Public Safety. This role ensures the coordination, integration, and performance of security operations, training programs, and operational support functions across Airport Police, Airport Fire Department, Security Operations, Communications Center, and Airport Operations.
A critical function of this role is to design, implement, and sustain a comprehensive public safety workforce pipeline program that supports long-term workforce development and succession planning. This includes recruiting entry-level candidates into Public Safety Officer (PSO) roles and providing structured training, hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development pathways that prepare employees to transition into certified roles within law enforcement, fire services, and other specialized public safety disciplines.
This position supports compliance with all applicable Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directives, while advancing a unified, intelligence-driven, and risk-based security posture. The role serves as a key integrator of operational readiness and data-driven decision-making and reports directly to the Deputy Senior Director of Public Safety.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Operational Integration & Oversight
  • Lead and manage public safety operational security, training, and pipeline development functions.
  • Coordinate cross-functional activities between IAA Airport Police Department, Airport Fire Department, Airport Security Operations (badging, access control, screening coordination), Emergency Communications Center (Dispatch), and Airport Operations.
  • Ensure operational alignment with the Airport Security Program (ASP) and TSA regulatory framework (49 CFR Part 1542).
  • Support incident command integration consistent with NIMS/ICS principles.

TSA Compliance & Security Program Management
  • Ensure adherence to TSA-mandated security requirements, including access control systems, Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA), credentialing and badging compliance, and security incident reporting and response protocols.
  • Partner with the Federal Security Director (FSD) and TSA representatives on audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
  • Assist in maintaining and updating the Airport Security Program (ASP) and associated security directives.

Training, Exercises & Readiness Coordination
  • Oversee and coordinate multi-agency training programs across police, fire, communications, and operations divisions.
  • Ensure compliance with TSA-required training (e.g., SIDA training, security awareness) and emergency preparedness standards.
  • Lead the planning and execution of full-scale emergency exercises (per TSA/FAA requirements), tabletop and functional exercises, and active threat and incident response drills.
  • Maintain training records, compliance tracking, and readiness metrics.

Data Analytics & Performance Management
  • Establish a centralized data and analytics function for Public Safety operations.
  • Develop and manage dashboards tracking security incidents and breaches, response times and dispatch performance, access control violations, and training compliance rates.
  • Utilize predictive and trend analysis to identify risks and improve operational effectiveness.
  • Deliver executive-level reports to IAA leadership and support strategic planning initiatives.

Interagency Coordination & Communication
  • Serve as the operational liaison across all public safety and airport operational divisions.
  • Strengthen coordination between internal stakeholders and external partners, including TSA, airlines and tenants, and local, state, and federal agencies.
  • Promote unified communication protocols during routine operations and emergency incidents.

Leadership & Strategic Initiatives
  • Provide oversight and direction to direct reports.
    • Coach, counsel, mentor and develop direct reports, including oversight of performance reviews and providing career development planning and opportunities.
    • Empower direct reports to take responsibility for their job and goals, delegating responsibility and expecting regular feedback and accountability.
    • Lead direct reports to regularly exercise the organizations five (5) Strategic Pillars of Customer Service, Economic Development, Stability & Sustainability, Workforce Development and Community Engagement.
  • Develops, implements, and grows a public safety workforce pipeline program by recruiting entry-level candidates into Public Safety Officer (PSO) roles and providing structured training, hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development pathways to transition employees into certified positions within law enforcement, fire services, and related public safety disciplines.
  • Supervise operational staff and analysts supporting security operations and communications.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including technology implementation (e.g., access control systems, CAD, analytics platforms).
  • Support the Deputy Senior Director in strategic planning, budgeting, and policy development.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, or related field (required)
  • Master's degree (preferred)

Experience
  • Five to seven plus (5-7+) years of leadership experience in airport operations, aviation security, emergency management, or public safety coordination
  • Five to seven plus (5-7+) years of experience managing people
  • Demonstrated experience working within TSA-regulated environments (Part 1542 preferred)
  • Experience coordinating multi-agency operations and training programs
  • Strong background in operational analytics and performance management

Preferred Certifications
  • Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
  • Airport Certified Employee (ACE - Security or Operations)
  • FEMA ICS/NIMS (100, 200, 300, 400)

Key Competencies
  • TSA regulatory knowledge (49 CFR Part 1542, ASP compliance)
  • Multi-agency coordination and unified command integration
  • Data-driven decision-making and analytics leadership
  • Executive communication and stakeholder engagement
  • Operational risk management and security planning

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk, sit, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, balance, stop, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25+ pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver's license. Use of a computer and other personal assistance devices (tablets or mobile phone) are a must for this position.

  • Work environment: This position is performed within an office environment approximately 80-90% of the time. The other 10-20% the employee could be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. With multiple worksites the noise level varies from the office environment and the outside environment. The incumbent in this position is expected to work independently and as part of the team.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.