What are the responsibilities and job description for the Airport Operations Officer Supervisor (Operations) (Security) position at City of Philadelphia?
WHO WE ARE
As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What We Offer:
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
Learn more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
Equal Access to Civil Service Testing
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: www.phila.gov/humanrelations
The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at janine.labletta@phila.gov. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.
Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.
Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.
For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:
- work.phila.gov
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-human-resources/jobs/civil-service-faqs/
- www.facebook.com/PhilaOHR
- www.twitter.com/PhilaOHR
- www.youtube.com/@PhilaOHR
- www.linkedin.com/showcase/philahr
General Definition
AMENDMENT TO ANNOUNCEMENT
Please be advised that the announcement opening and closing dates have changed to June 8, 2026– June 21, 2026. The eligible list date has changed to the week of July 6, 2026.
Candidates who applied when this examination was originally announced on May 11, 2026 should NOT re-apply.
This is second-level supervisory and administrative work managing operational or security activities on an assigned shift at a large municipal airport, through subordinate supervisors. Employees in the Operations Specialty direct through subordinate Airport Operations Officers the airfield, terminal or landside operations, communications, ground transportation, or other activities related to the welfare of passengers, airlines, tenants, and the general public. Employees in the Security Specialty direct through subordinate Airport Operations Officers the safety and security activities related to the welfare of passengers, airlines, tenants, and the general public. Ensuring compliance with relevant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other transportation industry regulations is significant to the work. In the absence of a higher-level manager, the employee is responsible for directing all operations activities in the area of specialization. This is shift work and employees are required to work weekends and holidays. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative superior.
Announced in Anticipation of Approval by the Administrative Board
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is
April Graham
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
Phone: 215-686-2346
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email: april.graham@phila.gov
For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information
ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE
Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.
MULTIPLE SPECIALTIES
Multiple Specialties have been announced. This exam will be used to establish separate eligible lists for each specialty. Candidates who pass the exam will be placed on the eligible list for the specialties they qualify for. The requirements for each specialty are listed below.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.
LEGACY PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:
- Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points
For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.
- Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
Such candidates will have:
- 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
- 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
- 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
- 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.
An Eligible List will be established the week of July 6, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
TEST REVIEW:
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.
Level of Education Required
College
Minimum Acceptable Training and Experience
The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.
1. EDUCATION:
ALL SPECIALTIES:
Completion of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university, with major course work in aviation management, business administration, flight management, commercial aviation or a related field.
PREFERRED CERTIFICATION: Certification as an American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
AND
2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
ALL SPECIALTIES:
Two years of administrative and operational experience monitoring terminal, landside, airside, or security activities at a commercial service airport.
AND
3. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
OPERATIONS SPECIALTY
Three years of supervisory and administrative work monitoring terminal, landside, or airside operational activities on an assigned shift at a commercial service airport with immigration/customs facilities.
Preferred experience: Experience at an airport with immigration and customs facilities
3. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
SECURITY SPECIALTY
Preferred experience (both specialties): Experience at an airport with immigration and customs facilities
NOTE FOR BOTH SPECIALTIES: Completion of a Master’s degree in any of the fields listed above or current certification as an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) may substitute for one year of the specific experience.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience and a bachelor's degree as described above.
CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS ARE:
Airport Operations Officer (2P11)
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
ALL SPECIALTIES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment, and during tenure of appointment as an Airport Operations Officer Supervisor, if required by work assignment.
Must be able to pass and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) and AOA (Airfield Operations Area) clearance.
For the OPERATIONS SPECIALTY, for positions in the Airfield Assignment only, employees must maintain Movement Area Driving Privileges Certification during tenure of employment.
For the SECURITY SPECIALTY only, employees must obtain and maintain Airport Security Coordinator (ASC) Certification during tenure of employment.
TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.
If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document
Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification – One time only!
You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.
Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.
Option 2 – Submit a paper transcript, license, registration or certification – Separate document required for each application
If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.
Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials
April Graham
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
Phone: 215-686-2346
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email: april.graham@phila.gov