Airport Operations Specialist

Job Number: 3533
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: 75 New Germany Lane - Airport Operations Centre
Job Category: Other
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Airport Operations (B)
Division: Planning, Development and Legislative Services
Hours of Work: 42
Union: CUPE 1656
Grade: CUPE 1656 Grade 006
Salary Range: $33.78 - $35.56 per hour

**Note: As per the collective agreement, probationary employees will receive 5% less than the regular permanent rate of the classification they are employed in, until the completion of four (4) months continuous service or eighty (80) actual days worked, whichever is the greater. They will then commence receiving the regular permanent rate.

Posting Date: October 23, 2025
Closing Date: October 29, 2025

About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.

Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

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 and 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 and 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 and 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, 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; topsoil/fill to repair ground damage/raise grade; sodding/seeding; litter pickup; planting, weeding, watering flowers, trees, shrubs, hedges; grading, patching; sweeping debris from roads/pavement; removing vegetation/debris from drainage ditches; hydro meter readings).
• Operates a line painting machine and related tools seasonally to ensure compliance with airfield regulations for marking runways, taxiways and aprons. Work is done between scheduled flights and overnight.
• 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 signposts 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 for 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 compliance with regulations and safety procedures and assisting with barricades and security as required. Assists in maintaining security as specified by Transport Canada.
• Has daily contact with the lead hand and supervisor regarding work assignments, status reports, and problems. Has contact with Facilities and Fleet staff to coordinate work and provide support, as required.
• Has regular contact with NavCanada Air Traffic Control and Flight Service Station staff to advise of surface conditions, hazards, service level reductions, and other necessary information.
• Has contact with airport tenants to exchange information, provide assistance, and perform maintenance and repairs.
• Has contact with contractors working on the property to coordinate safe work activities. Escorts visitors to locations/facilities as required. Maintains contact with hydro and other contractors during power outages.
• 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 tools and 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 and skills are acquired through a Grade 12 education plus 2 years of airport related experience (e.g., combination of airport, winter maintenance, emergency service). Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered such as:

• 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)

• 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).

• Knowledge of airport operations, procedures, and requirements; major airport components for maintaining the aerodrome, grounds, buildings, equipment, and vehicles; and communication and math skills.

• 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 possess a valid First Responder Certificate within 6 months of employment at the ROWIA.

• 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 1 month of employment.

• Must possess and maintain Standard First Aid & CPR Certificate to be hired.

• Must provide an acceptable Transport Canada Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC) within probationary period and/or as a condition of employment.

• Knowledge of and ability to comply with 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.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.
• Must have a valid Class D driver’s licence with Z airbrake endorsement and acceptable driver’s 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 12-hour variable shifts and hours year-round, including weekends and statutory holidays.
• Ability to work overtime, rotating, extended, and irregular shifts.
• Ability to travel to the United States for training.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.

Accessibility and Accommodations
The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace where all employees can succeed. If you require accommodations at any stage of your employment, whether during onboarding, training, or while performing your role, please let us know. Your hiring manager will reach out prior to your start date to discuss the role, workspace, and typical workday to ensure you have the supports you need to be successful. Accommodations are flexible and may be adjusted as your needs or role evolve. All discussions regarding accommodations are confidential, focused on supporting your success, and respect your choice about what, if any, personal information you wish to share. For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).