Director, Airport

Airport Director Brochure

Salary: $150,000 depending on experience

This position is non-merit and serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority

DeKalb County seeks an Airport Director to advance the goal of making PDK the premier general aviation airport in the Southeast. This is an exciting opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact. The incoming director should have expertise in airport operations, property and leasing management, airport development, and fiscal management. Building strong relationships with federal agencies and the local community to further organizational objectives will be essential for success. The ideal candidate must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrate strong leadership abilities, exhibit decisiveness, value teamwork, and have political acumen.

Key Duties

• Manage, direct, and evaluate staff while allocating resources effectively.
• Oversee and manage a budget of approximately $8.1M to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Develop and implement strategies to address current and future airport needs.
• Ensure compliance with FAA and GDOT regulations and manage safety inspections.
• Organize, prioritize, and assign tasks related to airport operations and planning.
• Monitor security and public safety incidents inside and outside airport perimeters.
• Collaborate with county leadership to drive redevelopment and engage with the community.

Essential Functions:  

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to management; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate.

Implements policies established by the Board of Commissioners and the Chief Executive Officer; attends meetings with commissioners; and works with the Law Department to ensure leases, requests for proposals and invitations to bid are in compliance with County directives.

Ensures adherence to FAA and GDOT rules and regulations; reviews and conducts airport safety inspections; prepare FAA and GDOT grant applications; and prepares and maintains the airport's Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan.

Ensures airport security; monitors and investigates security breaches; ensures public safety; and investigates inside and outside "the fence line" for public safety incidents.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Airport Management, Aeronautical or Civil Engineering or a related field (Master’s degree preferred); ten years of progressively responsible experience in operations for a general aviation and commercial airport, with five years of management experience for a comparably sized organization or as a director for a smaller organization; must have appropriate certifications in related field.

Specific License or Certification Required:  Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. 

Salary : $150,000