Airfield Maintenance Specialist

Distinguishing Characteristics:  

Under direct supervision and administrative direction, is responsible for maintaining pavement, fencing, signage, markings, vegetation and equipment at Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Ryan Airfield (RYN); and ensuring that TUS and RYN are in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 139 and/or other applicable federal regulations and safety standards.  Provide responsive and exceptional customer service.  

Essential Functions:   

The following functions and all other functions not included in this job description are to be performed in the best interests and for the greater good of TAA. 

• Support and advocate for TAA’s Mission, Vision, Guiding Principles and act as a champion and role-model of TAA’s Cultural Fundamentals.  

• Perform preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance, repair and alterations of all airfield/landside areas, pavement, security fence lines, paint markings and signage to ensure the airport remains in compliance with all FAA regulations and Advisory Circulars, TSA Standards and other applicable regulations 

• Perform mowing, sweeping, spraying, trimming, irrigation, erosion, wildlife control, asphalt and concrete repairs on all paved surfaces in accordance with FAR Part 139 and Advisory Circulars. 

• Complete all assignments in a timely and efficient manner; maintain accurate and correct work records for all required functions.  Clean up job sites, using all available tools and equipment; remove debris and trash, contain, and dispose as appropriate. 

• Follow appropriate policies, practices and procedures; ensure staff utilizes proper tools, equipment and methods to safely complete all maintenance tasks; ensure that work performed by the department satisfies workmanship standards. 

• Perform troubleshooting and repair functions to irrigation systems. 

• Ensure and maintain all field equipment and vehicles are in good working order; ensure and maintain the shop areas; perform general preventive maintenance on all ground support and small power tool equipment, maintain all tools required to perform maintenance and repairs, and maintain all TAA owned or leased equipment in a clean and proper manner. 

• Read, review and understand technical manuals, repair manuals, Safety Data Sheets regarding chemical substances and safety related information, training documents, and supply lists. 

• Ensure that all personnel closely adhere to TAA’s hazardous waste and environmental programs; ensure and use chemicals in accordance with TAA, federal and state laws, and regulations. 

• Perform FAR Part 139 inspection duties, as required by special circumstances or requested by Airside Operations. 

• Maintain and inventory all diesel and unleaded gas tanks required to support ground equipment at TUS and RYN. 

• Attend seminars and conferences and communicate appropriate information; continually learn and apply the latest up-to-date technical knowledge and skills in functional area of responsibility; take initiative for on-the-job learning experiences, as well as seek out formal education and coursework for continuous growth and development. 

• Be responsive to airport emergencies and situations that may involve loss of human life or property; support public safety and operational response to emergencies; utilize Incident Management System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols and procedures; coordinate and/or participate in after-action emergency de-briefing with appropriate departments and stakeholders. 

The above listed functions are not necessarily all the essential functions.  Job duties and functions may be expanded or reduced by management based on future changing needs and job requirements. 

Position Requirements:   

A high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum of three years of experience as an equipment operator, pavement repair and/or vegetation maintenance and management, experience in an airport environment (preferably at a FAR Part 139 airport).   

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: 

• Materials, means and methods of concrete and asphalt repair. 

• Equipment and tools used in airfield and landscape maintenance trades and equipment operation. 

• Herbicides and pesticides. 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FAR Part 139, Advisory Circulars (AC’s), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Standards, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) standards, Standard Maintenance Procedure (SMP), Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  

• Local, state, and federal codes, regulations and standards. 

• The organization wide mission and goals, and how these relate to division, department, team, and individual projects and initiatives.  

Skill in: 

• Organization, oral, listening, and written communications, proofreading, critical thinking and multi-tasking. 

• Taking initiative and being a self-starter.  

• Completing quality work that furthers the mission and goals of the department and TAA. 

Ability to: 

Environmental Requirements 

• Work in high-noise environment; extreme seasonal weather, when necessary. 

Mental Requirements 

• Remain focused and decisive in stressful situations; use sound and effective judgment 

• Interpret and analyze complex technical data and information for decision making and reporting purposes, including decision-making in stressful situations. 

• Perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy; maintain confidentiality, attention to detail, with mature judgment, function in compelling, high stress, fast-paced work environment, with deadlines and multiple projects. 

• Research information and organize data in meaningful form, make sound judgments, draw accurate conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations. 

Physical Requirements 

• Perform tasks with a full range of bodily movements, including lifting, moving, pushing, standing, walking, reaching, stretching, bending, kneeling, twisting, and crawling. 

• Perform repairs that require regular and prolonged bending and pulling of equipment on irregular surfaces; climb/work at heights of up to 40 feet, using small or large tools to repair equipment. 

• Lift large, bulky, heavy items, including various equipment parts weighing up to 80 lbs. with or without assistance, and/or using equipment.  

• Have hand dexterity to maintain a strong grip to hold objects firmly for extended periods of time (tools, equipment). 

• Distinguish colors by a practical test in all lighting conditions of standard airport lighting system colors and Air Traffic Control Tower light-gun signals, and identify fuel grade color code markings, and actual samples of various fuels. 

• Hear and understand through both ears, sounds coming through a radio, a standard telephone receiver, or other outside sound sources. 

• Communicate in English via telephone, radio, and cellular telephone, in a high noise environment, with sufficient clarity to be understood by others. 

• Read, write, and speak the English language in an articulate, fluent manner, ability to speak Spanish or another second language is helpful. 

• Operate any airport vehicle or equipment, whether standard or automatic; mowers, scrubbers, forklifts, tractors, backhoes, graders, trenchers, street sweepers, front-end loaders of various sizes, and other heavy equipment, as necessary.  

General 

• Work assigned shifts, including day/evening/weekends/holidays, subject to overtime and on-call, as required. 

• Be sensitive and aware of actions and reactions of employees, tenants, and outside agencies, and inform supervisor of appropriate concerns. 

• Initiate and organize responsibilities without supervision, and to take independent action relative to work problems requiring immediate solutions. 

• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with department personnel, other TAA personnel, and outside agencies. 

• Exercise effective customer service and public relations practices and procedures. 

• Use a computer utilizing Microsoft office software or other office software and machines. Maintain discreet and professional sense of confidentiality; understand that dissemination of information outside of job requirements is based on "need-to-know" and will subject employee to loss of employment and/or criminal prosecution. 

• Engage in self-improvement activities and training.  

• Understand own strengths and weaknesses; seek input from supervisor and peers about how to improve, and to focus on continuous self-improvement activities. 

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: 

• A valid Arizona's driver's license. 

• Obtain Class B Commercial Drivers Permit with airbrake endorsement within one month of employment.  Obtain and maintain a Class B Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) within four (4) months of employment.  

• Obtain and maintain the ability to drive airport vehicles on the Non-Movement Area and Movement Area of the Air Operations Area.  

• Must obtain and maintain access to the Security Identification Display Area (SIDA). 

• Obtain and maintain a pesticide/herbicide certification through the Arizona Department of Agriculture, Office of Pest Management (OPM) within two years of employment. 

• Obtain Road Scholar I Certification through the Local Technical Assistance Program within three (3) years of employment. 

• Obtain and maintain Basic Work Zone Traffic Control/Flagger Training within 8 months of employment. 

• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification within 8 months of employment. 

• Must pass an annual respirator fit test. 

• Must successfully complete the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700 and 800 course requirements and certification within 1 year of employment. 

• As an employee, you are deemed to be essential personnel as part of TAA’s emergency response and must respond to airport incidents as requested/required. 

Salary : $23 - $36