Airport Engineer

The Airport Engineer provides strategic, high-level analysis and support to the General Manager, the Management team and the Board of Directors of the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA) from a Facilities Management and improvement perspective.

Minimum Acceptable Academic/Technical/Professional Qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering or other related field.
• Experience with leading a large maintenance operation that includes utilization of in-house and outsourced resources.
• Master's degree preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Assessment:

• Assess airport maintenance programs and practices to identify areas for continuous improvement to ensure compliance with required Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations and guidelines.
• Develop, recommend, and implement approved enhancements to existing policies and practices to elevate the maintenance program of airport assets to ensure compliance with ICAO and other relevant regulations.
• Responsible for developing and managing the department's budget.
• Responsible for operations, maintenance, equipment, and capital projects in compliance with ICAO and other related regulations.
• Responsible for ensuring that all necessary speciality maintenance service contracts are established, procured, and maintained.
• Manages the administration and work of airport facilities and responds to tenant/passenger requests for services and complaints.
• Coordinates logistics and set-up of special events/ceremonies at the airport.
• Responsible for developing and implementing staffing plans, outsource contracting and maintenance management programs.
• Responsible for ensuring that all necessary projects to replace facilities/equipment/systems are identified and prioritized.
• Responsible for ensuring a cost-effective operation.
• Responsible for ensuring safety and security are always a priority.
• Reviews and approves recommendations for the purchase of equipment and the development of equipment specifications; reviews specifications for specialized equipment.
• Manages the administration and work of airport facilities staff engaged in the maintenance, repair, and minor construction of building and equipment systems, electrical power distribution and equipment systems, roadways, runways, taxiways, landscaping, vegetation control and other installations, facilities and equipment across the airport compound.
• Directs and coordinates responses to and makes critical decisions to resolve emergency and disaster conditions, such as those resulting from area-wide power outages, accidents, fires, floods, wind, or earthquakes.
• Supervises the establishment of an incident command center during emergency operations.

Staff Leadership:

• Responsible for ensuring that an organizational structure is in place to fulfil the department's mission in the organization, promote employee engagement, and provide maximum opportunities for employee development, training, and advancement.

• Senior Management Team member responsible for recommending and developing policies and procedures, project management plans, goals and objectives, and business plans.

• Serves on the Development Committee that directs the capital programs of the Authority.

• Responsible for creating and sustaining a strong, healthy, and equitable culture across the workforce.

• Encourages change and innovation, embracing diverse thinking and styles across all staff levels.

• Monitor airport maintenance functions and direct staff for safe and efficient service.

Specific Skills/Experience and/or Knowledge

1. Understanding of maintenance practices, procedures, and techniques related to airport facilities, equipment, and systems.
2. Knowledge of budgeting principles and financial management, including budget development, monitoring, and allocation of resources.
3. Familiarity with ICAO and other relevant regulations, standards, and codes governing airport maintenance operations, safety, and security.
4. Knowledge of leadership principles, team management, organizational development, and performance management.
5. Understanding of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other technical systems commonly found in airport environments.
6. Knowledge of project management methodologies, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
7. Understanding risk assessment and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and reliability of maintenance operations.
8. Strong analytical skills, including the ability to collect, organize and evaluate data and trends to develop logical conclusions.
9. Strong ability to influence and lead teams to be outcome-oriented.
10. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written form, including the ability to convey maintenance and response procedures, directives, and emergency plans clearly to staff, contract teams, and stakeholders.
11. Ability to use a computer and related software.
12. Ability to recognize, analyze, and solve a variety of problems.
13. Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate work in a timely manner.
14. Quick decision-making skills and the ability to act decisively in urgent and emergency situations to ensure the smooth functioning of the airport.
15. Effective collaboration skills to coordinate joint activities and work effectively with stakeholders and external agencies.

Other Requirements

• This job requires the ability to oversee multiple tasks, the ability to work flexible hours, especially in the event of emergencies and the ability to lead and motivate staff towards achieving the objectives of the department and, by extension, the GAA. A clean character certificate and the ability to obtain and maintain security clearances as appropriate are mandatory.

Minimum Number of Years of Relevant Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in aviation, engineering or other related field.
• Five (5) years in a senior leadership role leading maintenance operations for organizations and teams of similar scale and complexity, with proven leadership acumen and highly effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience with leading a large maintenance operation that includes utilization of in-house and outsourced resources.
• Master's degree preferred.