Posting number: 202601737
Department: Airport
Job classification: Airport Operations Specialist III, Senior
Posting type: Open
Categories: Airports
Fueled by a culture of innovation, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport due to its medium size, simple layout, temperate climate and location. SJC is located just minutes from downtown San José – the Bay Area’s largest city and the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC is a self-supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. SJC was rated California’s top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium in 2024 and 2025. SJC currently offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The Airport’s two fixed-base operators, as well as several corporate aviation tenants, serve the business aviation needs of Silicon Valley; corporate and general aviation traffic represents more than a quarter of aircraft operations at SJC. For more information and to connect with SJC on social media, visit flysanjose.com
The City of San José - San José Mineta International Airport is currently recruiting for Senior Airport Operations Specialists for the Airport Operations Division. This position performs work under the immediate supervision of an Airport Operations Supervisor and the Manager-on-Duty to support the variety of airport operations duties related to compliance, enforcement and customer service essential to the 24-hour operation of a medium-hub international airport. These activities support the four sections of Airport Operations (Airside, Terminal Management / Customer Experience, Landside, and Security). This position will rotate responsibilities between the various sections referenced above to gain a comprehensive knowledge base and insight of the functionality of the Airport.
Typical duties and responsibilities include the following:
Airside Operations:
• Responds to emergencies, distressed or disabled aircraft, hazardous materials spills, wildlife or other airfield accidents or incidents
• Perform airfield inspections and other operations duties in support of Airside.
• Coordinates cleanup efforts, prepares detailed informational and operational reports related to safety/security incidents, injuries and accidents.
• Use vehicle to patrol the airfield to inspect and observe aircraft, tenants, perimeter fences, gates to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and act to correct deficiencies.
Terminal Management / Customer Experience
• Coordinates common use resources (gates, remote parking, ticket counters, bag belts) to maintain safe, efficient day to day operations.
• Assists in documenting and resolving disruptions to operations such as bag jams, passenger queue control and irregular airline operations.
• Inspects the terminal facility regularly to ensure a clean, reputable terminal facility is available to the traveling public.
• Conducts customer service surveys to drive improvements for the overall passenger experience.
Landside:
• Uses data entry and personal interaction to process permits, reports, and work orders to ensure regulatory compliance and exceptional customer service.
• Observes, records, and enforces activities conducted on the Landside (terminal curbs, roadways, traffic control, public & employee parking facilities, and Ground Transportation areas).
• Responds to emergencies, vehicle accidents, or other Landside incidents to maintain a safe and efficient operation. Includes on-site inspection of the area, performing or coordinating activities as required.
Security Compliance:
• Performs surveillance, inspection and investigations for enforcement of the Airport Security Program; investigates security breaches and violations.
• Uses vehicle to patrol the airport to inspect perimeter fences, physical assets, employees, tenants, and contractors to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and take action to correct deficiencies.
• Enforces proper procedures for Airport's Access Control System to prevent unauthorized and/or unescorted access to the Air Operations Area (AOA)
Airport Operations Center:
• Monitors and manages the Airport’s Access Control, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV, Fire Monitoring System, Building Management System, and Baggage Handling Systems; utilizes computer-based tools such as Asset Management software, email, and Emergency Notification Systems to continuously facilitate a safe, efficient, and coordinated operation.
• Monitors and utilizes multiple Airport and public safety radio frequencies, phone lines, paging / public address systems, and electronic communications such as email, in order to coordinate Airport / stakeholder communications and Airport response.
• Receives and analyzes information and data on all events pertinent to Airport Operations; constructs and decides appropriate actions to be taken by personnel; prioritizes and coordinates team response, communicates relevant information, and dispatches personnel to respond appropriately.
• Utilizes the highest degree of professionalism in the conduct of all business and communications.
The Senior Airport Operations Specialist will be required to effectively multitask and prioritize simultaneous duties. Additional duties that may be assigned to the Senior Airport Operations Specialist include, but are not limited to: compiles data, completes required forms, prepares reports, oversees recordkeeping.
The Senior Airport Operations Specialist will ensure compliance with rules and regulations under the following agencies: California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), City of San José, and the San José Mineta International Airport. Successful candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
Salary Range for Senior Airport Operations Specialist I is: $85,372.56 – $103,827.36
Salary Range for Senior Airport Operations Specialist II is: $87,949.68 – $107,125.20
Salary Range for Senior Airport Operations Specialist III is: $96,904.08 – $118,076.04
The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. These salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.
Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
- Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Knowledge of and/or Experience related to Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139 and Transportation Security Regulations (TSR) 1542 is desirable.
- Decision Making - Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
- Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
- Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
- Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.
- Reliability - Completes quality work assignments in a timely and efficient manner; fulfills responsibilities and maintains confidentiality as appropriate.
- Leadership - Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction.
- Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Senior Airport Operations Specialist I Bachelor’s degree in Aviation or closely related field AND one (1) year of experience in the aviation field or an internship in aviation. Additional experience in aviation may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Aviation experience is typically gained by working for the following types of organizations: airport, airline, fixed based operator, airport related contractor, aviation related government agency or military aviation.
- Incumbents are required to complete and pass a TSA mandated, Criminal History Records Check, a Security Threat Assessment and all other City, State or Federal requirements.
- California driver’s license.
- Obtain an Airport-issued Ramp Drivers Permit and Movement Area Operating Permit within 6 months of employment.
Selection Process
To apply, please complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at The final filing date for this job announcement is 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 2026 Interviews are tentatively scheduled for mid-September, with a tentative start date of late October for successful candidates.
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that the use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Tessa Elkins at telkins@sjc.org
Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San José has been a leader driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San José stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world's leading center of technology innovation. San José is the 10th largest in the U.S., and is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work, live, play and learn.
San José is located in Santa Clara County at the southern edge of the San Francisco Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, 390 miles north of Los Angeles. The local weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and an average annual temperature of 70 degrees.
The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.
