Airport Operations Specialist Trainee

Job Description

Position Information

Join the County of Sonoma as an Airport Operations Specialist Trainee!

Starting salary up to $40.75/hour ($85,050/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

Do you have:

• Multiple years of experience working in construction and/or performing interior/exterior building and grounds maintenance
• The ability to establish and sustain effective working relationships with airport staff, management, pilots, and State and Federal personnel
• Knowledge of proper safety and emergency practices, and experience upholding code compliance and/or conducting inspections
• Sound judgment and the ability to make good decisions while working under pressure and in emergency situations
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, general safety, and customer service skills
• Experience using various computer applications (Microsoft Word, Outlook), and the ability to learn new technology

If your answer is, "Yes" apply now to become the next Airport Operations Specialist Trainee!

As an Airport Operations Specialist Trainee, you will learn how to perform a wide variety of airport operations, maintenance, security, and emergency first response activities at the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS). STS is the only local commercial service airport that offers air service directly into the North Bay region. STS has facilities for airline passenger services, cargo, private and corporate flights, recreational aircraft, law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting aircraft, and pilot training. To ensure daily operations run smoothly, Airport Operations Specialist Trainees also learn to:

• Maintain airport equipment, facilities, and grounds, including commercial mowers, boom lifts, sweepers, aircraft rescue vehicles, runways, taxiways, aprons, airfield lighting systems, welding equipment, etc.
• Conduct routine inspections and patrols of landside, airside, and terminal facilities and surrounding areas
• Ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, including FAR Part 139
• Take appropriate wildlife mitigation measures to maintain safe aircraft operations
• Enforce airport rules and regulations, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements such as TSR Part 1542
• Inform employees and appropriate personnel of the use and restrictions of the systems
• Compose, maintain, and review a variety of reports, records, and logs, ensuring records are accurate, thorough, and timely
• Organize and maintain accurate files and logs, and collect and record aircraft parking fees
• Initiate airport emergency operations and response, operate emergency equipment, and coordinate emergency services and communications
• Contact law enforcement personnel for incident response and requests for public service
• Work directly alongside Maintenance Workers to complete various maintenance projects
• Activate or deactivate badges as required
• Issue Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

An Airport specific uniform shall be provided. The position is shift work; the incumbent may very well be working evenings, weekends and holidays, the schedule is determined based on a shift bid (based on seniority). The incumbent will be expected to complete some administrative tasks; however, most of the work will be outdoors, including tasks such as airfield inspections, maintenance, incident response and investigation, meetings, trainings, and escorting people around the Airport property. A driver’s license is required for this position, as you will be driving a County vehicle to conduct patrols and inspections of the Airport operations and activities.

Prior airport facility maintenance and operations training and experience, including wildlife and noise abatement; and first aid training, including CPR and AED, are highly desired but not required upon hire. In addition, the ideal candidate, will have the a bility to shift priorities quickly, remain calm under stressful situations, and work with many stakeholders and authorities.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Please Note: As a condition of employment, individuals are required to undergo and maintain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background clearance; must be willing to work a rotating schedule, including weekends, holidays, evenings, days, after-hours emergencies, winter storms, and other critical events; and must successfully complete all required, the department funded training and certifications within the twelve-month probationary period. Incumbents will be required to travel out of state to attend the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Certification course and annually thereafter for live fire training drills. The selected individual will also be required to complete and maintain the Movement Area Driver's credential and First Aid Training including CPR and AED. Incumbents failing to satisfactorily complete such training and certification will be released from the assignment.

About the Department

Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) leads the way to a safe and sustainable community by planning, building, managing, and maintaining Sonoma County's investment in quality services and infrastructure. Their Airport Division operates the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS), the only local commercial service airport that offers air service directly into the North Bay region. Supporting up to 21 flights per day, STS has facilities for airline passenger services, cargo, private and corporate flights, recreational aircraft, law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting aircraft, and pilot training.

About Sonoma County

The County of Sonoma offers a rare and compelling array of scenic, recreational, and geographic characteristics that include over 200 award winning wineries, majestic redwoods, inspiring coastline and beaches, and the vibrant Russian River. Encompassing over one million acres of land and water, rich with agriculture, parks, campsites, lakes, and open spaces, the County is home to over 500,000 residents and offers a wide variety of art and music festivals, farmers' markets, and concert venues. Local schools continually rank high on California's Academic Performance Index, and the Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University offer higher education opportunities.

Please visit sonomacountyconnections.org for more information about Sonoma County, the place to live, work, and build your career.

Sonoma County Public Infrastructure (SPI) is currently recruiting to fill two Airport Operations Specialist Trainee positions. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment .

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and work experience that would provide the opportunity to acquire the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, two years of recent, full-time paid experience in exterior and interior building maintenance, semi-skilled building construction, repair, maintenance or grounds keeping work that included the use of trucks, light mechanical machines, and hand tools would provide this opportunity. The ability to read and write English and perform basic arithmetic calculations is required at a level sufficient to perform the duties of the position. Experience which involved the operation, maintenance, or security of an airport facility, is desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Certifications: Within the first 12 months of employment, incumbents must complete Airport Specific Training, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training (ARFF), Emergency First Aide Training including CPR, Defibrillator Training, First Responder/First Aide, and Live Fire Training.

Additional Requirements: Incumbents will be required to undergo additional TSA Background and/or Criminal History Checks as determined by County, State, and Federal Regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: building maintenance and custodial methods, materials and equipment; practical gardening and grounds keeping methods and equipment; safe and correct operation and preventive maintenance of light duty tractors and accessories, boom lift, sweeper, paint sprayer, machines, and power tools utilized at the Airport; basic keyboard and computer use.

Some knowledge of: safety principles and practices employed in the operation of an airport facility; fire prevention and firefighting techniques is desirable.

Ability to: perform heavy physical labor routinely, and under stressful conditions in critical life and death situations; meet critical deadlines; work harmoniously with fellow employees and to deal courteously with the public; exercise independent judgment; learn to identify and correct unsafe conditions and/or violations of FAA and Airport rules and regulations; operate current technological devices and communications equipment including radios, telephones, computers, and other tools; learn how to organize and maintain accurate files, records, and logs; read and interpret information from charts, reports, graphs, tables, plans, and maps; safely operate a variety of Airport vehicles, automobiles, and trucks; work safely under hazardous conditions; learn how to work safety under emergency conditions; follow oral and written directions; work an irregular schedule, including shift work, weekends, and holidays.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted in person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: KK

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 9/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific