Airport Director

Performs responsible administrative, managerial, and supervisory work in planning and directing the operations of a business enterprise municipal aviation airport.
An employee in this class is responsible for directing the operations, administration, maintenance, and security of the County's general aviation airport. Work includes short and long-range planning and budgeting; and supervising staff. Work involves ensuring that facilities are in operational condition at all times and in compliance with FAA safety regulations; developing and recommending policies, procedures, and fee structures for approval by the Airport Authority; and serving as staff to the Authority. Employee operates with considerable latitude, requiring discretion and judgment grounded in extensive technical aviation knowledge to make independent professional and managerial decisions. Tact and diplomacy are required in contact with federal and state officials and legislative representatives, the military and regional air National Guard, pilots, corporate and business executives, the general public, employees, local officials, and Authority members. The employee is subject to hazards in work, including indoor and outside environmental conditions; significant noise and vibrations; physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts and electrical current; working in high places, narrow aisles, crawl spaces, and areas that could cause claustrophobia; and exposure to high heat, chemicals, oils, fumes, dust, odors, or poor ventilation. Work is performed under the general direction of the Airport Authority and the County ManagerPlans for daily operations of the airport, for emergency situations, and for long range expansion in response to demand; performs business, operational and maintenance analysis; recommends modifications, and alternative solutions to improve operations and facilities.
Engages in extensive long-term capital expansion planning and research and negotiation for funding between the County, air National Guard, FAA, etc.; assess civil airport needs in relation to the military upgrades; serves in the lead to support enhancements and to seeks ways of splitting costs.
Prepares and manages annual and capital budgets covering a variety of revenue and expenditure factors from facilities maintenance; aviation instrument landing, navigational aids, communications; staffing, fuel supplies to multi-million dollar expansion projects; projects revenues; recommends and justifies budget to the Authority for approval, and to the Board of County Commissioners; maintains accounting for budget, and approves purchases.
Prepares airport operating rules, regulations and procedures, aircraft landing, taxing, and take-off patterns, and airport safety arrangements.
Serves as project manager in coordinating expansion project work; consults with attorneys, construction companies, sub-contractors, etc., to ensure that projects meet the timeframes and specifications.
Supervises staff involved in administration, customer service operations and airplane communication tasks, maintenance of facilities, refueling etc.; hires, trains, counsels, disciplines, and dismisses staff; conducts performance evaluations.
Develops and executes marketing strategies to expand the business and attract aviation-related tenants; devises new methods to increase revenues.
Consults with Attorney on hanger and business tenant contracts; confers with property management to initiate lease preparation and renovate facilities to accommodate tenants.
Maintains and promotes strong interrelationships with airport users, including hanger owners, leasing tenants, fixed base operators, business and guest passengers, federal, state, and local officials, and the general public.
Maintains records required under federal, state, and local regulations, including the FAA; ensures compliance with all regulations, including OSHA safety and health.
Administers and maintains control of insurance coverage for the airport; analyzes insurance options and recommends selection to the Authority Consults with and coordinates projects with engineering staff; coordinates maintenance and repair activities to minimize the impact on operations.
Ensures the maintenance, repair, and state of all airport facilities, including runways, ramps, taxiways and roadways, meet Federal Airport Certification requirements.
Directs response to emergencies involving crash and rescue and fire fighting.
Additional Duties
May assist with operational, administrative or any tasks as needed in supervising the daily operations or performing the technical aspects of airport functions. Performs related work as required.Thorough knowledge of airport operations, management, and development.
Thorough knowledge of FAA rules, regulations, and federal certification standards for a general aviation airport.
Considerable knowledge of equipment, tools, and facilities required for the safe, efficient operation of an airport.
Considerable knowledge of modern practices and principles of accounting and budgeting as applied to airport operations.
Considerable knowledge of crash rescue emergency response techniques and hazmat safety procedures.
Considerable knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions involved in the work;
Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
Skill in planning, organizing, and supervising the work of others and setting priorities.
Ability to analyze business, operational, and maintenance issues and to develop alternative solutions or approaches.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with pilots, business executives, federal, state, and local officials, other County department heads, employees, customers, and the general public.
Ability to be tactful and courteous in dealing with customers and the general public.
Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.Graduation from a four-year college with a degree in aviation management, aeronautics, business administration, or related field and considerable progressively responsible airport administration and management; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.