About the Department

The Department of Airports is recruiting an Airport Operations Manager to lead airside and landside operations at the SLO County Airport. This role is ideal for an aviation professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, brings strong regulatory knowledge and leadership experience, and is motivated by the responsibility of ensuring that the airport is safe, compliant, efficient and operationally ready every day.

As a key member of the Airports leadership team, the Airport Operations Manager oversees operational programs, builds high-performing teams, partners with federal and state agencies and plays a crucial role in shaping the customer, safety and security experience at a rapidly growing commercial service airport.

About the Role

Under general direction, the Airport Operations Manager provides administrative, technical and supervisory leadership for airport operations, maintenance, terminal activities, and security programs. The role develops, interprets and enforces airport regulations, safety protocols, operational procedures and security policies while coordinating with airlines, tenants, military partners and regulatory agencies to ensure seamless airport operations.

This position plays a central role in regulatory compliance, emergency readiness, operational planning and continuous improvement across airport functions.

What You’ll Lead

• Daily Operations: Manage Airside, landside, terminal, and maintenance oversight to ensure safety, efficiency, and 5-star customer service.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain the Airport Certification Manual, and the Airport Security Plan (ASP). Ensure readiness for Part 139 inspections, TSA audits, Emergency exercises, and regulatory investigations. Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local requirements.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and train operations and maintenance staff; build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.
• Emergency Readiness: Direct response to irregular operations, aircraft incidents, severe weather impacts, and security events; serve as on-scene authority and coordinate with ARFF and mutual aid partners.
• Program Oversight: Develop SOPs, manage preventative maintenance programs, oversee WHMP and SWPPP initiatives, and track operational performance metrics.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Act as a primary liaison with FAA, TSA, military partners, airlines, tenants, first responders, County departments, and community partners.
• Operational Communication: Approve NOTAMs, manage access control systems, ensure quality reporting, and maintain accurate regulatory documentation.

This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County.

Position Duties

What You Bring

• Strong working knowledge of FAA Part 139, TSA 1542, and airport operations best practices.
• Experience leading teams, managing projects, contracts and operational budgets, and maintaining operational compliance.
• Ability to remain calm, decisive, and resourceful under pressure, especially during emergencies and operational disruptions.
• Skill in analyzing challenges, identifying risks, and implementing practical solutions.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and a commitment to safety and service.
• Commitment to customer service, employee development, and safe airport operations.

MIMIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in aviation management, business or public administration, engineering, or a closely related field. In addition, five years of progressively responsible experience in airport operations, including at least two years in a supervisory or management role.

Licenses and Certificates:

This classification requires driving as an essential job function. A valid California driver’s license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Minimum Qualifications

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date.  Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process.  We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. 

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

Benefits

Make a Difference
Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference. 



Compensation and Benefits
Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package. 

In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them.  For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail [email protected].

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link).

Some benefits include:

- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan with up to $500 per year match (depending on bargaining unit)
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies 
- Flexible work schedule options 
- Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs. 

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or ‘cafeteria’ contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums.  The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages. 
 
To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria), visit the Cafeteria Rates webpage (click here for link). 

Learning and Development
The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings. 

Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:

 
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings
 

Student Loan Forgiveness
Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans. 

Homebuyer assistance program
Employees have access to the “Assist-to-Own” program sponsored by Golden State Finance Authority (click here for link to more information) to get a loan for the down payment.

 

Supplemental Questions

01

A valid California driver’s license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Do you have a valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of progressively responsible experience in airport operations do you possess?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 - 7 years
• 7 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

03

How many years of experience do you possess working in a supervisory or management role?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 4 - 5 years
• 5 or more years

04

Select the option below which best describes your highest level of education.

• Highschool diploma or equivalent GED
• Some college
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's or higher level degree in an unrelated field.
• Bachelor's or higher level degree in aviation management, business or public administration, engineering, or a closely related field.

05

Briefly describe your related experience in airport operations and include information about your supervisory or management experience as well.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

County of San Luis Obispo

Address

1055 Monterey Street

Suite D-250






San Luis Obispo, California, 93408

Phone

805-781-5959

Website

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/