Airport Management Opportunity
County of San Diego
Department of Public Works - Airports
Interviews will take place the week of September 21, 2026. Job offers will be made the week of October 5, 2026.
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increase
** June 2027 – 4.27% increase to base pay (3.0% Across-the- Board + 1.27% Market Adjustment)
The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Assistant Airport Manager, to fill a vacancy at the McCellan-Palomar (Palomar) Airport located in Carlsbad (North County Region), California. For additional information on the Palomar Airport, please click McCellan Palomar Airport.
The Position
The Assistant Airport Manager is a professional job classification primarily responsible for assisting management in the day-to-day operation and maintenance of County-operated airports. Under direction of the Airport Manager, the selected candidate will perform the following duties:
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Plan, organize and supervise airside and landside operations
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Inspect airside and landside facilities
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Provide airport construction oversight
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Issue NOTAMs
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Ensure FAA Part 139 compliance
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Coordinate special events
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Enforce environmental regulations
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Mitigate wildlife hazards
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Respond to emergencies
See the Assistant Airport Manager classification specification for a complete job description of the class, including minimum requirements, physical characteristics, and working conditions.
Hiring Timeline & Dates:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
i. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
ii. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
iii. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Working Conditions
Incumbents will work on Aircraft Flight line areas and may be exposed to biohazards such as fuel spills/hangar fires and dust, gas, fumes or chemicals; exposed to excessive noise of aircraft run up.
Minimum Qualifications
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in airport/aviation management or a closely related field, and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in airport maintenance including supervising, scheduling, and overseeing the maintenance, repair, and technical work required to safely operate an airport, airport operations, or airport management; OR,
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An associate’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in airport/aviation management or a closely related field, and four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in airport maintenance including supervising, scheduling, and overseeing the maintenance, repair, and technical work required to safely operate an airport, airport operations, or airport management; OR,
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A combination of education and experience as described above.
Note: Qualifying experience or education may be substituted on a year for year basis.
Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
Evaluation
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference Policy
The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy for additional information.
Military Skills Translator
Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please see the Military Skills Translator page to access the tool.
Strategic Plan
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Please see the Strategic Plan for more information.
Disaster Service Worker
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
