Airport Manager
Alamosa, CO
Full Time
Alamosa County
Manager/Supervisor
ALAMOSA COUNTY, San Luis Valley Regional Airport, Airport Manager
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REPORTS TO: County Administrator
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY: $70,000-$90,000 DOE
DATE ADOPTED: August 2025
CLOSE DATE: September 1, 2025
JOB SUMMARY:
Performs highly responsible professional, administrative, and supervisory work planning, organizing, and directing the operation, construction, and maintenance of the San Luis Valley Regional Airport. Oversees air terminal facilities, runways, and surrounding grounds for the leasing of airport property; plans, directs, and supervises staff to ensure compliance with highest industry standards and prescribed rules and regulations governing the operation of the airport; represents the airport to the public and airport tenants and visitors.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and responsibilities of the job. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.)
REPORTS TO: County Administrator
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY: $70,000-$90,000 DOE
DATE ADOPTED: August 2025
CLOSE DATE: September 1, 2025
JOB SUMMARY:
Performs highly responsible professional, administrative, and supervisory work planning, organizing, and directing the operation, construction, and maintenance of the San Luis Valley Regional Airport. Oversees air terminal facilities, runways, and surrounding grounds for the leasing of airport property; plans, directs, and supervises staff to ensure compliance with highest industry standards and prescribed rules and regulations governing the operation of the airport; represents the airport to the public and airport tenants and visitors.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (The following are illustrative of essential functions to perform duties and responsibilities of the job. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional tasks as needed by the Department. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.)
- Supervision and Management: Formulates plans, assigns, directs, and supervises all of the activities and personnel of the airport and administers safe operation, construction, maintenance, and protection of operational areas at the SLV Regional Airport. Manages airport staff, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations. This includes both administrative and operational personnel. Develops work schedules and assigns work to the team; monitors workflow and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
- Operations and Safety: Ensuring smooth and safe airport operations, including airside and landside activities. Plans, organizes, and directs the operations of a commercial airport through subordinate managers or supervisors, reviews recommendations and actions of subordinates, and solves department problems. Makes periodic inspections of airport facilities to determine maintenance requirements and adherence to rules and regulations.
- Financial Management: Oversees the airport's budget, managing expenditures, and potentially generating revenue. Assists in the preparation of the annual budget and work plan; prepares and submits for review the budget for the Operations and Maintenance Section; submits cost estimates and justification for capital and purchases equipment; authorizes and monitors maintenance and operations-related expenditures.
- Compliance: Maintains close liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which governs aviation safety and airport grants and with other federal, state, and local representatives on airport matters. Plans, organizes, and directs operations and maintenance activities in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements (including 14 CFR Part 139), Transportation Securities Administration (TSA) (including 49 CFR 1542), and State and local regulations. Prepares and maintains operations, security, and emergency procedures manuals.
- Stakeholder Relations: Liaising with Commissioners, advisory board, vendors, airlines, ground service providers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. Effectively presents in writing and orally, airport procedures and issues with clarity and diplomacy to the County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, other elected officials, and various community groups.
- Emergency Management: Formulates procedures for emergency response in the event of aircraft or related emergencies. Directs and coordinates law enforcement, airline security, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting activities in accordance with airport ordinances and federal, state, and County laws and regulations. Being on-call to handle emergency situations and ensuring the airport is prepared for various scenarios.
- Maintenance and Construction: Coordinating construction projects, managing maintenance activities, and ensuring the upkeep of airport facilities. Inspects or reviews inspection reports of airport facilities such as runways, buildings, beacons and lighting, and automotive or construction equipment to determine repairs, replacement, or improvements required.
- Public Relations: Handling public and community relations, addressing inquiries, and resolving issues. Works closely with Visit Alamosa and Alamosa Chamber of Commerce to promote new air service.
- Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing operational strategies to improve airport efficiency and service quality. Manages airport properties and develops long-range recommendations regarding proposed development and property utilization; Plan and coordinate airport expansion projects, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance activities to meet current and future operational requirements.
- Contract Negotiation: Negotiating leases with consultants, contractors, vendors, tenants and concessionaires. Conducts correspondence with tenants pertaining to maintenance of facilities, questions about leases, and other matters. Interprets lease agreements, or refers more difficult problems to the County attorney for interpretation.
- Performance Monitoring: Develop, collect, analyze and present key performance indicators (KPIs) and identifying areas for improvement.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong leadership and management abilities with the ability to effectively coordinate and motivate a diverse team
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships
- In-depth knowledge of aviation regulations, safety protocols, and security procedures
- Proficient in airport management systems, flight operations software, and other relevant technology platforms
- Strong attention to detail and a focus on ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills to address operational challenges and make critical decisions
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking abilities to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Ability to analyze and interpret complex data and financial reports to make informed decisions
- Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities and demands
- Excellent customer service skills and a commitment to providing a high level of staff, tenant, and passenger satisfaction
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws that govern commercial airport activities
- Knowledge of property management policies and regulations, lease negotiations, and compliance
- Knowledge of federal and state grant programs related to the development of aviation and transportation facilities
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of professional airport operations and its facilities management
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of public and business administration as applied in a large organization
- Ability to develop and establish procedures associated with operating regional airport facility, including administration, operations, business development for commercial air service, property management, and economic development
- Ability to maintain working relationships with industry leaders including commercial airline and corporate aviation executives, private business operators, real estate developers, and others
- Ability to set goals and objectives for management and professional staff, direct their activities, and monitor progress within their respective areas
- Ability to implement capital improvement plans and major construction projects
- Bachelor's degree in airport management, business administration, management, public administration, aviation, or airport management, or a related field and five (5) years of professional experience in the management and operations of civil aviation facilities with the proven ability to lead and mentor staff
- Accredited certification through the American Association of Airport Executives is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
- Emergency Medical Technician and Firefighter 1 certification are required within 6 months of hiring
- Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) training is preferred, but not required at the time of hiring, it will be required within 6 months of hiring
- Valid Driver’s License
- Must pass Alamosa County background check and pre-employment drug testing
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires 24-hour, 7-day on call status. Rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays can be expected. Moderate to heavy physical requirements needed for snow removal and grounds maintenance. Ability to maneuver uneven terrain. Duties performed in all types of weather conditions, extreme cold, hot temperatures, high winds. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment at efficient speed. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, talk, walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, see, and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across a distance. The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, drive, frequently lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Employee must be able to work in the noisy environment of an airport.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Requires 24-hour, 7-day on call status. Rotating shifts, nights, weekends and holidays can be expected. Moderate to heavy physical requirements needed for snow removal and grounds maintenance. Ability to maneuver uneven terrain. Duties performed in all types of weather conditions, extreme cold, hot temperatures, high winds. Position requires the ability to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment at efficient speed. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, talk, walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, see, and hear. Hearing and vision correctable to normal ranges; close-up vision and the ability to adjust focus across a distance. The employee is required to communicate both orally and in writing. Employee must be able to reach and manipulate objects, tools or controls, drive, frequently lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Employee must be able to work in the noisy environment of an airport.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge, skills and abilities typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
It is the policy of Alamosa County to not discriminate against any person with regard to all federally protected classifications including race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, any disability, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
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