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Aviation Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), Landside Operations section operates 24 hours 7 days a ... Landside Operations Manager is a critical staff member who will help ensure that operations are ...

New

Project Manager - Aviation

Chicago, IL · On-site

$130K - $149K/yr

STV is seeking a Project Manager - Aviation to join our national Aviation team to oversee and ... Facilitates coordination with stakeholders; airport operating divisions, airline operations ...

STV is seeking a Project Manager - Aviation to join our national Aviation team to oversee and ... Facilitates coordination with stakeholders; airport operating divisions, airline operations ...

Aviation Department Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21 - $23.75/hr

Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on leadership and operational execution. What You'll Do Department & Team Leadership * Lead the Aviation Department, with direct management ...

Aviation Department Manager

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$21 - $23.75/hr

Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on leadership and operational execution. What You'll Do Department & Team Leadership * Lead the Aviation Department, with direct management ...

Showing results 21-40

Aviation Operations Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$32K

$65.4K

$122.2K

How much do aviation operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for aviation operations manager in Chicago, IL is $65,421.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,300.00 and $79,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an aviation operations manager?

Aviation Operations Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing and coordinating the daily operations of airports, airlines, or other aviation-related facilities. They ensure that all activities related to flight operations, ground support, safety, and regulatory compliance run smoothly and efficiently. Their duties often include managing staff, coordinating with air traffic control, implementing safety protocols, and handling logistical challenges. Aviation Operations Managers play a crucial role in maintaining safe, efficient, and cost-effective aviation operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an aviation operations manager?

To thrive as an Aviation Operations Manager, you need expertise in aviation regulations, operational management, and safety protocols, along with a relevant bachelor's degree and often an FAA certification. Familiarity with airline management software, flight scheduling systems, and compliance databases is crucial. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and compliant operations in a highly regulated and complex aviation environment.

What are the most common challenges aviation operations managers face when coordinating between different airport departments?

Aviation Operations Managers often encounter challenges related to synchronizing activities between departments such as ground services, air traffic control, security, and maintenance. Ensuring clear communication, timely updates, and efficient problem-solving is crucial to avoid delays or safety issues. Managers must proactively address conflicting priorities and rapidly changing operational demands, all while maintaining compliance with strict aviation regulations. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong organizational skills and the ability to foster collaboration across diverse teams.

How much does an aviation operations manager make?

An aviation operations manager typically earns between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization. They oversee daily airport or airline operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency, often requiring certifications such as an FAA license or equivalent.

What does an aviation operations manager do?

An aviation operations manager oversees daily activities related to aircraft operations, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. They coordinate with pilots, ground staff, and regulatory agencies, often using management software and maintaining certifications to meet industry standards.

What are popular job titles related to Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Aviation Operations Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Aviation Operations Manager jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Aviation Operations Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Aviation Operations Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,421 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

Aviation Safety Inspector, Greater Chicago FSDO, GLSD07

Federal Aviation Administration

Des Plaines, IL • On-site

$140K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Federal Aviation Administration rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 154 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 295 rated public sector bodies


Job description

Summary
The incumbent is responsible for justifying and recommending new or amended aviation safety procedures, managing, establishing, implementing, and coordinating the airworthiness portion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety Team (FAASTeam) program primarily within assigned field office geographic area but may provide FAASTeam program support outside assigned field offices area as directed.
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Duties
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The FAASTeam Program Manager must align with the National FAASTeam Annual Performance Plan (NPP) to accomplish the National Program Guidance (NPG) with respect to aviation education. Aviation safety education is an integral part of meeting the FAAs statutory obligation to promote aviation safety. The FAA provides aviation education and guidance to all segments of the aviation community. Aviation education targets the General Aviation (GA) community and serves an important human factors role in the FAA relationship with the flying public.
Technical Administration
Manages policies, standards, programs, and procedures for aviation and commercial operations. Establishes collaborative relationships with external aviation organizations to address safety issues and seeks innovative mitigation strategies of such issues. Analyzes safety issues and seeks a wide range of regulatory and non-regulatory responses to ensure rapid adoption of remedies to aviation safety concerns.
Responsible and accountable for representing the FAA in coordinating system safety programs such as safety assurance, safety promotion, and risk management activities within the aviation environment. Interfaces include certificated airmen, air carriers, air agencies, air operators, general aviation organizations, designees, the general public and airport organizations. Participates with industry, internal and external work groups, and teams to address specific safety concerns and aviation issues. Develops guidance and associated products to implement policies addressing safety and related aviation requirements. As directed, represents the FAA in meetings with foreign Civil Aviation Authorities to collaborate on best practices to enhance aviation safety. Works with Safety Officers of foreign air carriers to increase global aviation safety. Develops partnerships with officials of international aviation organizations in each segment of aviation such as ultralights, agricultural, emergency medical services, offshore helicopter operations, air tours, etc.
Program Management
Manages aviation safety procedures, local initiatives, and supports national products. Determines appropriate goals and objectives for the airworthiness portion of the aviation safety program in coordination with national FAASTeam guidance. Implements and manages comprehensive safety action plans and programs by utilizing FAASTeam Representative Volunteers. Provides technical assistance to other national and international aviation safety organizations and maintains close liaison with those external national and international aviation organizations, certificated airmen, air carriers, air agencies, air operators, general aviation organizations, designees and airport organizations, to identify and resolve potential safety problems and establish safety programs. Supports the national FAASTeam Policy Division(s) in FAA-wide and community aviation education programs. Responsible for the promotion and education of regulatory compliance in safety related areas. Analyzes investigative data, develops recommendations, and keeps management informed of the status of identified hazards and the safety program. Supports management in decisions regarding the safety program. Participates and/or serves as an advisor in joint FAA-industry meetings, steering committees, and other workgroups.
In support of Flight Standards District Office operations, performs other duties as assigned except for enforcement actions.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Applicants MUST submit all required certificates (See Required Documents)
  • Selectee will be required to report to an FAA/AVS facility.
  • This is not a 100% telework position. Situational telework may be available based on the needs of the Office.
  • Position is designated as Moderate Risk; a background investigation may be required.

Qualifications
Aviation Safety Series, 1825
General Requirements for All Positions:
  1. Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years;
  2. Valid State driver's license;
  3. Fluency in the English language;
  4. No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and
  5. High school diploma or equivalent.

Medical Requirements for All Positions:
Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation. The minimum medical requirements include the following requirements:
  1. Have good distant vision in each eye and be able to read, without strain, printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted);
  2. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted); and
  3. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of the aircraft must:
  1. Possess a valid second class medical certificate in accordance with FAA regulations; and
  2. Pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

Applicants tentatively selected will be required to:
  1. Provide documentation from a board-certified physician certifying that they meet the minimal medical requirements, with or without a reasonable accommodation; or
  2. Individuals who do not meet the minimum medical requirements but who are otherwise qualified will receive an individualized assessment to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the position with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Specialized Experience, Training and Certification Requirements for Specific Positions:
Applicants must meet specific requirements as outlined in the Office of Personnel Management Aviation Safety Series, Qualification Standards for Maintenance (GAM) and Avionics (GAV) specialties. Information can be found on the following website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-I, FG/GS-13. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience monitoring and evaluating programs for compliance with regulations and standards. Specialized Experience as an Aviation Safety at the FG-13/FV-I level in any of the following specialties: Maintenance (GAM) and Avionics (GAV).
Recency of specialized experience is waived for employees currently in the 1825 Series.
Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their Work History.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Ingrade/Downgrade applications will be accepted.
Interviews: All or none of the candidates may be interviewed.
Selectee must report to the advertised facility.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS: Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or Omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job. Your application/resume must have your official title, grade, series and employment dates in your work history.
As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA)/Leadership and Management Dimension (LMD) NARRATIVES from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD.
In lieu of providing a KSA NARRATIVE response in the text box listed below each KSA/LMD, in your work history on your resume/application, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA/LMD. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Please also ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job); Duties (be specific in describing your duties); Employer's name and address; Supervisor name and phone number; Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week); & Salary. Determining length of Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible due to an incomplete application.
Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Your work history (please include applicable date ranges) examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be placed in alphabetical order and referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Applicants must apply online to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. Faxed, mailed or e-mailed applications cannot be accepted. If you need to submit additional documents to supplement your on-line application, e.g. SF-50, you may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS.
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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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