Airport Operations Specialist

The Role

Maintains grounds, facilities, and equipment at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (ROWIA) per Canadian Aviation Regulations, Provincial and Federal Regulations, and Regional policy and safety standards. Provides Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and medical emergency first response services on the ROWIA site.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Conducts daily perimeter checks to identify need for fence repair, wildlife control measures, and tree/brush control. Reports deficiencies/adverse conditions to lead hand/supervisor and initiates/recommends corrective action. Maintains, inspects, and repairs airport fences (e.g., chain link, page wire, wildlife high tensile). Sets up and removes temporary fences and barricades as required for special occasions, crowd control, and seasonal conditions (e.g., snow).
• Monitors weather to anticipate/prepare for inclement conditions (e.g., high winds, heavy rains, snow, ice). Ensures related equipment is prepared and available.  
• Operates aviation radio and monitors to maintain contact with air traffic control/aviation traffic. Monitors Regional radio for communication with other staff.
• Operates tractors with attachments (e.g., three-gang flail, front-end loader, rotary mower, rear blade); small engine equipment (e.g., trimmers, generators); plow trucks with reversible front blade, wing blade, pre-wet sand anti-icing system, sweepers, and sanders. Operates boom mower, chemical sprayer, snow blowers, RTVs, and aircraft fire fighting apparatus.
• Clears snow and ice from groundside parking lots and roads, airside hanger areas, parking aprons, taxiways, runways, graded strip along runway and taxiway edges, threshold ends, and Instrument Landing System (ILS) gravel pad. Conducts field checks to assess snow/ice conditions, depth accumulation, wind, and weather forecasts to determine which method and equipment to use, per procedures. 
• Adjusts lighting fixtures and replaces bulbs on a de-energized airfield, and performs lockout/tagout in coordination with the Airport Electrician, as required. Ensures visibility of lit features. Calibrates and maintains visual and instrument approach lighting systems (PAPI and SSALR). Realigns lenses per Transport Canada regulations. Tightens assemblies. Lowers mounting pipes. Manually operates regulators. Reports deficiencies and recommends repairs to supervisor and airport electrician.  
• Performs grounds maintenance and landscaping (e.g., mowing grass in public areas; rough-cutting areas around airport; top soil/fill to repair ground damage/raise grade; sodding/seeding; litter pick-up; planting, weeding, watering flowers, trees, shrubs, hedges; grading, patching; sweeping debris from roads/pavement; removing vegetation/debris from drainage ditches; hydro meter readings). 
• Performs minor maintenance to airport structures and buildings, including: cleaning floors, windows, washrooms, and other custodial functions; moving furniture; repairing interior walls, trim, fixtures; preparing/painting interior and exterior surfaces; maintaining doors, locks, latches; and repairing picnic tables, benches, garbage containers. 
   

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains, repairs, and ensures gate operation, including: digging post holes; installation; adjusting hinges and latches; maintaining padlocks, combination pads, and motorized gate controls.
• Installs sign posts on airport property and ensures signs are maintained in readable condition.  Repaints/replaces signs as required.
• Monitors and controls the movement of wildlife on the airport property by identifying types/species of wildlife present, food sources, and attractive habitat features. Recommends manipulation of habitat to supervisor to discourage/eliminate wildlife. Scares/eliminates wildlife as necessary, occasionally using a licensed firearm. 
• Provides radio escorts for construction contractors, utility companies, Transport Canada, surveyors, service companies, NavCanada, and other contracted services to airside facilities as required.
• Provides ARFF fire service per Canadian Aviation Regulations to provide a means of egress for passengers/crew to exit aircraft in the event of an accident or fire, using fire fighting apparatus, fire suppression materials, and techniques. Preserves scene for post-incident/accident investigation.  Performs daily inspections of fire fighting gear, equipment, and vehicles, and maintains an ongoing state of readiness (e.g., ensuring fuel, chemical, water tanks are full, test driving vehicles, testing water spray and nozzles, testing oxygen levels in tanks). 
• Responds to emergency medical situations experienced by staff and visitors.
• Assists with special events on airport site, ensuring adherence to regulations and safety procedures, and assisting with barricades and security as required. Assists in maintaining security, as specified by Transport Canada.
• Maintains vehicles, fire fighting gear, lawn care and snow removal equipment, tools, and other equipment in safe working condition by cleaning, lubricating, and repairing as required. Monitors condition and reports need to repair/replace Region-owned tools/equipment to supervisor.
• In the absence of the lead hand, conducts detailed airfield condition inspections using electronic-based reporting system, to report on facilities, surface conditions, foreign objects, wildlife activity, airfield lighting system status, and other safety hazards. Reports deficiencies, occurrences, and adverse conditions to supervisor and air traffic control; initiates/recommends corrective action, as appropriate. Performs detailed inspections of snow and ice control activities; location of hazards (plowed and unplowed areas); and removal progress. Uses a decelerometer to conduct runway surface friction measurements, as required, to determine need for ice control, and sends results to NavCanada Air Traffic Control and Flight Service Station. 
• Performs other specific duties of the lead hand as required in their absence.
• Performs related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of airport operations, procedures, and requirements; major airport components for maintaining the aerodrome, grounds, buildings, equipment, and vehicles; and communication and math skills, acquired through a Grade 12 education plus 2 years of airport related experience (e.g., combination of airport, winter maintenance, emergency service) or an equivalent combination of education and experience, such as: a Grade 12 plus 1 year of related post-secondary courses/certification (minimum 700 instruction hours) plus 1 year of related experience (e.g., combination of airport, winter maintenance, emergency service) or Grade 12 plus more than 1 year of related post-secondary education and 6 months of airport related experience (e.g., combination of airport, winter maintenance, emergency service).
• Must meet Transport Canada regulations for operating airport vehicles and machinery, acquired through ROWIA’s 7-week in-class training program, and 2 years of on-the-job related experience. (Training includes certification in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) detailed in Transport Canada regulations, and full retraining every 3 years.) Must be able to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to perform ARFF functions. Must complete First Responder recertification (conducted bi-annually) and annual refresher course.
• Must possess Airport Vehicle Operators Permit (AVOP) or attain within 10 days of employment at the ROWIA. 
• Must possess Restricted Radio Telephone Operators Certificate, Aeronautical Class to be hired.
• Must possess Firearms Possession and Acquisition Permit within one month of employment.
• Must possess and maintain Standard First Aid & CPR Certificate to be hired.
• Must possess Valid First Responder Certificate within 6 months of employment at the ROWIA.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies and procedures. Familiarity with Transport Canada regulations/guidelines, including: Manual of Airport Traffic Directives, Radio Telephone Operators Handbook, Canadian Aviation Regulations, Airline Security Regulations, Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices, and Canadian Aviation Security Regulations.
• Understanding of Emergency Response Procedures and ability to assume the role of first responder when an emergency response is required.
• Communication skills to respond to inquiries from tenants and the public, and participate as an effective team member. Ability to read and understand written aviation weather terminology, instructions, schedules, reports, regulations, procedure manuals, equipment operator manuals, and other materials related to airport operations. Ability to maintain records and logs on airport inspections, maintenance, security, and aircraft incident reports, and write related reports as requested by supervisor.  
• Ability to operate a decelerometer and surface condition reporting system. 

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have a valid Class D drivers licence with Z airbrake endorsement, acceptable drivers abstract to operate corporate equipment, or, must have a valid G driver’s license and acceptable driving record upon hire, and attain a valid class D driver's license with Z-air brake endorsement within probationary period (Must provide proof of successful completion of the DZ knowledge/written test and proof of a booked road test within 30 days of hire).
• Ability to work variable shifts and hours year-round, including weekends and statutory holidays. 
• Ability to work overtime, rotating, extended, and irregular shifts. 
• Must provide an acceptable Transport Canada Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC) within probationary period and/or as a condition of employment.   
• Ability to travel to the United States for training.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
• Internal 1656 applicants are required to submit a document with their name on it (or an optional resume).  1656 staff are encouraged to internally apply with an updated resume, especially for those job opportunities that are a promotional opportunity, so that their qualifications are appropriately captured during the screening phase.