Occupation · SOC 53-2022
Airfield Operations Specialists
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel, dispatching, using airfield landing and navigational aids, implementing airfield safety procedures, monitoring and maintaining flight records, and applying knowledge of weather information.
Median wage
$56,750
$35,200–$111,030
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
16,640
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
18 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingCoordinationWritingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingActive LearningTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationOperations MonitoringLearning StrategiesNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionOperation and ControlOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignTroubleshootingScienceManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityTransportationEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingTelecommunicationsAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesGeographyMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingBuilding and ConstructionPsychologyBiologySales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingChemistryPhysicsDesignMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Adobe PhotoshopAircraft noise monitoring system softwareApache HTTP ServerDecision Support Technologies PropworksExtensible markup language XMLFileMaker ProGround transportation management systemInternet Protocol Television SystemsIntuit QuickBooksLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMicrosoft operating systemOperations scheduling softwareOracle DatabaseParking access revenue control systemSAP softwareTRMI Airport AVIWord processing software
Representative tasks
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleWorking with ComputersTraining and Teaching OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProcessing InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicControlling Machines and ProcessesAnalyzing Data or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Airfield inspection checklists — complete under direct supervision to verify basic compliance with federal regulatory requirements on an active airfield.Safety procedures and posted protocols — follow and apply under guidance to maintain a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft.Airport perimeter and property access points — inspect alongside a senior specialist to identify unauthorized access or security breaches.Emergency response roles — assist assigned personnel during aircraft or medical emergencies following established response procedures.Snow removal coordination tasks — support senior staff in initiating runway and taxiway clearing operations during winter weather events.Wildlife hazard observations — report sightings and assist with basic deterrent measures on and around airport grounds under supervision.Radio communication equipment — operate using standard phraseology to relay routine messages between air traffic control and maintenance crews.Airfield operations databases — enter and retrieve basic data using provided software tools under the direction of experienced staff.Federal Aviation Administration regulations — read and reference to understand minimum compliance standards applicable to daily airfield duties.Incident observation reports — draft in clear written language following organizational templates after routine airfield inspections.
developing
Airfield condition inspections — conduct independently and document findings to confirm ongoing compliance with FAA regulatory requirements.Safety procedure implementation — apply and adjust standard protocols in familiar non-routine situations to protect personnel and aircraft operations.Controlled access inspections — perform perimeter and property surveys routinely, identifying and resolving access control discrepancies without close oversight.Emergency coordination support — execute assigned tasks during aircraft and medical emergencies with reduced supervision, communicating clearly with responding units.Snow removal operations — coordinate airfield-wide clearing activities across runways and taxiways, sequencing equipment and crews for efficient execution.Wildlife management programs — conduct hazing and deterrent activities using established techniques, logging encounters in the airfield wildlife database.Air traffic control and maintenance communications — facilitate coordination independently, ensuring accurate and timely information flow between both parties.Mobile airfield management functions — perform mobile inspection and oversight duties across the airfield, adapting to changing operational demands.Spreadsheet and office suite software — use to analyze airfield operational data, generate reports, and track recurring compliance metrics.Critical incidents and near-miss events — apply deductive reasoning to identify contributing factors and recommend corrective actions to supervisors.
proficient
Comprehensive airfield compliance assessments — execute autonomously across all inspection categories, resolving non-routine regulatory findings with appropriate corrective action.Airfield safety environment — manage the full scope of safety procedures, anticipating risk factors and adapting protocols to dynamic operational conditions.Perimeter security systems and access controls — evaluate effectiveness across the entire airport property and lead corrective responses to identified vulnerabilities.Multi-agency emergency response — direct airfield-side coordination during complex aircraft and medical emergencies, integrating communications among ATC, fire, and medical units.Seasonal operational planning — develop and supervise snow removal plans, pre-positioning resources and establishing contingency sequences for major weather events.Wildlife hazard management program — assess habitat and attractant conditions airport-wide, implementing adaptive management strategies to reduce wildlife strike risk.Telecommunications and coordination systems — troubleshoot and optimize communication workflows between air traffic control and maintenance to sustain operational continuity.Airfield management operations — oversee and supervise all airfield management activities including mobile functions, ensuring regulatory standards are met across every shift.Complex problem analysis — apply systems analysis skills to identify interdependent operational failures and develop solutions that restore safe airfield conditions.Operational documentation and reporting — produce high-quality written reports, logs, and compliance records that meet regulatory and organizational standards without revision.
advanced
Airfield operations strategy — set directional standards for compliance, safety, and efficiency programs that govern all airfield operations across the organization.Regulatory compliance framework — lead the development and continuous improvement of airfield inspection and safety procedures aligned with FAA and federal mandates.Organizational safety culture — champion and model dependability, cautiousness, and integrity, embedding these values into team norms and performance expectations.Emergency preparedness programs — design and oversee airport-wide emergency response plans, conducting exercises that integrate ATC, security, maintenance, and medical functions.Wildlife hazard management policy — establish organization-level wildlife management programs, coordinating with federal wildlife agencies to achieve long-term risk reduction.Workforce development and instruction — design training curricula and mentorship pathways that advance airfield operations specialists from emerging to proficient skill levels.Technology and systems integration — lead evaluation and adoption of enterprise application and expert system software to enhance airfield management capabilities organization-wide.Interagency and stakeholder coordination — represent the organization in relationships with FAA, TSA, local government, and airline partners to align operational and regulatory priorities.Performance metrics and systems evaluation — establish key indicators and evaluation methods that measure airfield operational effectiveness and drive data-informed continuous improvement.Administrative and resource management — oversee budget, staffing, scheduling, and policy administration for the airfield operations function, optimizing resource allocation across all operating conditions.
Also known as
28 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Airfield Operations SpecialistAirfield Services OfficerAirline AgentAirline DispatcherAirport AgentAirport Operations AgentAirport Operations CoordinatorAirport Operations Crew MemberAirport Operations OfficerAirport Operations SpecialistAirport Ramp AgentAirport Security OfficerAirport Services SupervisorAirport SupervisorAviation Operations SpecialistFlight FollowerFlight Information ExpediterFlight Operations AgentFlight Operations CoordinatorFlight Operations EngineerFlight Operations PlannerFlight Operations SpecialistGround Operations Crew MemberOperations AgentOperations CoordinatorOperations OfficerOperations SpecialistRamp Agent