Demo

Airport Maintenance Operator

City of Salem
Salem, OR Full Time
POSTED ON 4/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/6/2026
Job Summary

The City of Salem is hiring a Airport Maintenance Operator!

Make An Impact

If you enjoy working outdoors and around the exciting field of aviation, then the Airport Maintenance Worker is the position for you! This position helps ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport.

Learn And Grow

The Salem-Willamette Valley Airport is seeking an experienced, energetic, and team-oriented individual to be an Airport Maintenance Worker. You will learn important airport operations functions such as communications with aircraft and air traffic control, airfield familiarization, airport security functions, emergency planning and response, and a variety of other opportunities to greatly expand your knowledge and skill set.

What You Will Do

  • Perform airfield inspections and routine maintenance on pavement, signs, lights, and markings.
  • Issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) as needed to close runways and taxiways during maintenance or construction.
  • Respond to aircraft emergencies and other incidents at the airport in accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).
  • Conduct security inspections on gates and fence lines.
  • Perform standard building repairs and maintenance.
  • Perform turf, landscape, shrub, tree, and flower bed maintenance, and operate and maintain irrigation system and equipment.
  • Provide custodial services in public areas.
  • Repair and maintain sidewalks, ramps, pads, driveways, and parking areas.
  • Conduct wildlife hazard mitigation, collection, and reporting.

Additional Information On Job Responsibilities

  • Communicate clearly with Air Traffic Control Tower on air traffic radio frequencies on a regular basis.
  • Safely and effectively operate equipment used in airfield, building, and landscape maintenance. Including: hand and power tools, tractors, backhoes, pickup/utility trucks, sweepers, chain saws, snowplows/blowers, graders, weed eaters, lawn edgers, loaders, riding and manual lawn mowers.
  • Be able to work on-call rotating weekend hours and able to respond to the airport if required.
  • This position is considered essential, and the incumbent may be expected to report to work during inclement weather and emergencies.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
  • Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
  • Competitive pay.
  • Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
  • Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
  • Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
  • Voluntary long-term care.
  • Employee wellness program.
  • Employee assistance program.
  • Employee health clinic.
  • Position schedule is currently Monday through Friday 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. with 30-minute lunch. After successfully completing training, the schedule will also include rotating weekends on-call. The airport is operational 24/7 and this schedule is subject to change based on need.
  • The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications?

  • Must pass the pre-employment background check and pre-employment physical
  • Must have an Oregon Driver's license and meet the City of Salem's driving standards.
  • High school graduation or GED equivalent, and a minimum of two (2) years' experience in facilities maintenance to include skills in construction, carpentry, plumbing and electrical, operating commercial size riding or tractor mowers; airport experience is highly desired; or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
  • Ability to obtain Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License within six months of appointment

Preferred Skills:

  • A background in airport operations and maintenance, or pilot experience is preferred.

What you will bring along:

  • Experience working individually and in a team environment and with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • An interest and excitement for, or experience with, working in an airport environment.
  • Ability to learn, understand and effectively communicate complex instructions in a busy environment.
  • Ability to operate two-way radios and similar communications equipment.
  • Experience operating tractors, mowers, and other tools and equipment.
  • Experience working outside and in inclement weather.
  • Experience with facilities repairs.
  • Ability to interpret and implement policies and regulations.
  • Experience working with the public and providing quality customer service.

About us:

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon, located in the heart Willamette Valley, and is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A Full-service City, Salem Has Eight Primary Departments

Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Airport Maintenance Operator

To learn more about Salem Municipal Airport please visit our website at: https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/salem-municipal-airport

How can I apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to include how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification in your application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs .

Salary.com Estimation for Airport Maintenance Operator in Salem, OR
$51,611 to $67,441
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