Airside Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

As an Airside Experience Specialist, you are the face of our private aviation terminal, delivering a seamless, personalized, and welcoming experience for every guest, crew member, and aircraft in our care. In this dynamic role, you'll combine exceptional hospitality with hands-on operational support to ensure our guests feel cared for, from wheels down to wheels up.

You’ll operate ground service equipment and perform aircraft ground services while engaging guests with professionalism and a service-first mindset. This role requires schedule flexibility, including nights, weekends and holidays, and the ability to thrive in outdoor environments around active aircraft and in varying weather conditions.

If you enjoy creating memorable guest experiences in a fast-paced, luxury-driven environment – and you're excited by the energy of the runway – this is the role for you.

 (Other duties may be assigned)

• Work as part of a team to conduct airside operations safely and efficiently in accordance with established policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensuring efficient and accurate communication through various methods to accomplish operational tasks.
• Collaborate, cooperate, and work closely with all team members, guests, clients, vendors, and aircraft crewmembers to ensure service needs are met. Services include, but are not limited to, fueling, de-icing, lavatory, ground power and potable water services, parking, marshalling, wing walking, delivering catering and towing.
• Proactively prepare for arriving/departing aircraft, identify and perform open job tasks, and immediately speak up and/or point out observed safety concerns to all stakeholders.
• Operate and drive ground service equipment such as fuel trucks, de-icing trucks, ground power units, tugs, stair trucks, etc.
• Load and unload luggage and other cargo into/out of aircraft and from/into the PAT, guest vehicle, or other mode of transportation.
• Provide professional and friendly guest service while exhibiting a positive and helpful attitude to everyone at all times ensuring guests always receive an exceptional experience.
• Offer safe, convenient, and courteous transportation when driving shuttle vehicle to transport guests, luggage and cargo. 
• Maintain safe, clean, and secure ramps and operations.
• Fuel handling, including fuel quality control, fuel receipt, inventory and maintaining accurate related documentation.
• Understand, comply with, and enforce all operational, safety, and guest service requirements for all aspects of the job.
• Stop work when an unsafe condition or act is likely to cause harm to people, the environment, Company or guest assets, or the Company’s reputation if the work continues. Report concerns to the appropriate manager and cooperate in addressing the unsafe act or condition.
• Follow emergency response procedures during critical events.
• Understand, comply with, and enforce all security (physical, cyber and data) protocols as dictated by both Signature Aviation and the airport.
• Create accurate records pertaining to time worked and activities and services performed.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED). 
• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Ability to pass company background checks (criminal and motor vehicle), drug tests, meet airport background check requirements to receive and maintain an airport security badge, and be insurable by the Company's applicable insurance policies.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the jurisdiction of employment.
• Excellent vision and coordination to move and/or direct aircraft and visually inspect aircraft fuel.  Ability to pass a color vision test for purposes of inspecting aviation fuel.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.  In some locations a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required as dictated by local regulations and business needs.
• Must be able to exercise good judgment and follow directions/directives from supervisor/management.
• Preferred: Three (3) to six (6) months experience and/or training in aviation, customer service or other related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience and/or training.

Additional knowledge and essential skills:

• Hospitality Skills:  Excellent guest service skills with an energetic, outgoing, and guest-obsessed personality. Must be able to anticipate guest needs and prioritize guest requests and job responsibilities by exhibiting a keen ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to maintain professionalism and confidentiality. 
• Language Skills:  Ability to read and comprehend documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals, and for safety-sensitive tasks, in English. Clearly communicate in English with others in person, via telephone, radio communicators, and in writing.
• Math Skills: Ability to perform simple arithmetic (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, fractions, angles, degrees, time).
• Physical Ability:  Must be able to physically enter/exit and operate motor vehicles and ground support equipment such as fuel trucks, vans, tugs, and cars. Must be able to perform various functions safely and efficiently (e.g., fueling, de-icing) from elevated heights.
• Critical Thinking / Reasoning Ability:  Ability to carry out multi-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables. 
• Interpersonal Skills:  Ability to get along and work well with others.  Excellent interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with team members and service to guests. 
• Multitasking:  Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail. 
• Computer Skills:  Ability to use a computer and email, learn necessary company software, and pass computer-based training modules.
• Task Management:  Ability to successfully and timely complete Signature’s training programs.

Pay ranges vary based on multiple factors, including, without limitation, skill sets, education, shift worked, responsibilities, seniority, geographical market, merit, output, productivity, prior training or experience, and travel.  The pay range for this position is $21.11 per hour.

With more than 225 locations worldwide, Signature Aviation is the largest global network of private aviation terminals, delivering safe, convenient, and elevated experiences to those we serve. As a premier hospitality organization and a certified Great Place to Work™, we are committed to redefining private air travel. Our nearly 6,000-strong team of aviation experts and enthusiasts is dedicated to delivering excellence to our guests and communities, and it starts with taking care of our team. Signature provides a variety of benefits, programs, and resources to support our team members’ overall well-being and professional development. We proudly volunteer and give back, focusing on elevating the neighborhoods where we operate, empowering the next generation of aviation professionals, and supporting our veterans. 

From your health to your financial wellness, there are several benefits for you and your family when joining Signature Aviation.

     Our Benefits:

• Medical/prescription drug, dental, and vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• 401(k)
• Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Insurance
• Identity Theft and Legal Services
• Paid time off
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Training and Development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Perks