ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR - CAPITAL PROJECT DELIVERY
(Capital Projects Assistant Deputy Director)
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Capital Projects Assistant Deputy Director positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.
DEADLINE TO APPLY
The deadline to apply for this position is Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Large Airports in the J.D. Power 2024 and 2025 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been a major cornerstone of Orange County for more than 100 years. Located in beautiful Southern California, we currently serve approximately 11.7 million annual passengers. We strive to provide a superior guest experience to ensure travel is convenient and stress-free. The County of Orange owns and operates the airport, and the service area includes more than three million people within 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County and beyond.
As a medium hub airport, we have commercial flights to more than 40 nonstop destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Eleven commercial airlines and two air cargo airlines fly out of the Airport. It is home to nearly 500 general aviation (private, non-commercial) aircraft, representing 60% of total operations, and includes two full-service fixed base operators and one limited use general aviation facility.
Mission: Connecting People, Places and Opportunities.-
Vision: To be an airport of choice by creating exceptional experiences.
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Core Values: REACH
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Respect
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Environmental Stewardship
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Accountability
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Collaboration
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Honesty
To learn more about working at John Wayne Airport, click here.
To learn more about the County of Orange, click here.
The newly reformed Planning and Development Division brings the airport's infrastructure under the direct management of the airport. This Division oversees and delivers the airport's $700 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which includes airside, landside, and terminal renovations, as well as major utility projects and long-term infrastructure planning. The Division is also a key partner in the implementation of the General Aviation Improvement Program and the Terminal Tenant Concession Redevelopment Program. This team has 28 professionals in a variety of roles. This Division’s functional areas include engineering, airport land use planning, environmental compliance, and capital project delivery.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Assistant Deputy Director, Capital Project Delivery, provides strategic and technical leadership for the planning, design, construction, and delivery of complex capital improvement projects within a highly regulated, security-sensitive, and continuously operating environment. This role oversees the design development, constructability review, procurement, construction execution, commissioning, and close-out while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to ongoing facility operations.
Serving as a senior advisor and owner’s representative, the Assistant Deputy Director leads multidisciplinary project and logistics teams; manages consultant and contractor performance; and partners closely with procurement to develop and administer public works contracts. The role requires coordination with internal divisions, external agencies, utility partners, and community stakeholders to ensure compliance with public contracting codes, building and safety regulations, environmental requirements, and security protocols.
Capital projects may include modernization of vertical and horizontal infrastructure, structural improvements, utility and electrical distribution upgrades, accessibility enhancements, and campus-wide facility renovations. The position also serves as the primary backup to the Deputy Airport Director, Planning & Development, contributing to division strategy, long-range planning, and executive-level decision-making. This is a highly visible leadership role suited for an experienced project delivery professional who can navigate complex operational constraints while driving excellence in scope, schedule, budget, and stakeholder outcomes.
For additional details about John Wayne Airport’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), please click here.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES-
Lead and manage the full project delivery lifecycle, including scope definition, pre-design planning, design development, technical review, constructability analysis, construction oversight, commissioning, and close-out
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Oversee multidisciplinary project management and logistics teams responsible for delivering complex capital projects in an active operating environment
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Plan, prioritize, and manage multiple concurrent projects while minimizing operational disruptions to the facility and its stakeholders
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Partner with procurement teams on public works contracting, including A/E selection, construction contracting, job order contracting, and alternate delivery methods (CMAR, DB, PDB)
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Guide development of scopes, schedules, budgets, technical requirements, security coordination needs, and resource allocations
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Ensure strict compliance with public works contracting requirements, building codes, safety programs, and regulatory frameworks
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Maintain effective communication with internal departments (Operations, Maintenance, Finance, IT, Security, Environmental) and external agencies, cities, and utility providers
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Serve as a technical representative in meetings with contractors, consultants, community groups, and internal leadership
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Monitor and report on project performance, risks, and milestones; recommend corrective measures when issues arise
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Six (6) years of professional experience in project delivery across both design and construction for large-scale public works or complex capital infrastructure projects, including work within active, operating, secured, or campus-scale environments, as well as three (3) or more years of supervisory or lead experience directing professional staff, consultants, contractors, or technical teams.
Aviation experience remains beneficial but is not required.
A bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management is preferred, with a master’s degree strongly desired. Licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect in the State of California is also preferred, along with professional certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM).
The ideal candidate will also have extensive experience in the following key competencies:
Technical Experience | Technical Knowledge
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Significant experience delivering large-scale public works or capital infrastructure projects, including design coordination, constructability review, construction oversight, commissioning, and close-out
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Ability to lead and integrate multidisciplinary technical teams spanning engineering, architecture, construction management, and project controls
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Demonstrated experience managing projects within operationally constrained and security-sensitive facilities, such as hospitals, campuses, transportation hubs, secured government complexes, or similar occupied environments
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Knowledge of public-sector contracting requirements, including relevant building codes, California Public Contracting Code, Cal-OSHA, and Federal/State/local regulations
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Familiarity with utility system upgrades, vertical conveyance, fire/life-safety systems, MEP/HVAC systems, central utility plants, seismic improvements, or comparable complex infrastructure
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Experience with alternative delivery methods such as design-build, CMAR, progressive design-build, and job-order contracting
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Aviation-specific technical knowledge (FAA standards, airport security protocols, airfield/terminal/landside development) is valued but not required
Supervision | Leadership Skills
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Ability to delegate, review, and monitor complex work for quality, timeliness, and accountability
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Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff in a fast-paced, operational environment
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Proven leadership in guiding diverse stakeholder groups from project concept through completion
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Experience enforcing safety guidelines and promoting safe construction practices
Analysis and Problem Solving-
Ability to interpret and enforce compliance with plans, specifications, schedules, and contract provisions
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Strong analytical skills to anticipate project challenges related to scope, budget, schedule, or operating constraints
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Ability to assess technical data, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions in clear, actionable terms
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Experience resolving escalated issues and coordinating remediation or corrective actions
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Skilled in performing quantity calculations, estimates, and data-driven evaluations
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Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external staff, contractors, agencies, and regulatory bodies
Planning and Organization-
Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and deliver multiple projects simultaneously within active operational settings
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Proven record of completing assignments on time and within budget
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Ability to manage competing priorities, shifting deadlines, and multifaceted stakeholder needs
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Experience coordinating work phases to minimize disruption to facility operations and public services
Communication Skills | Oral & Written-
Experience presenting technical and project information to executive leadership, elected bodies, private-sector partners, community groups, and regulatory agencies
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Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise communications suited for diverse audiences
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Demonstrated political and organizational savvy when navigating sensitive issues across departments and stakeholders
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Skilled in written and oral communication for proposals, reports, briefings, and collaborative discussions
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Experience negotiating and managing competitive bidding processes for complex public works contracts
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for details on the
Capital Projects Assistant Deputy Director classification, including the physical, mental, environmental, and working conditions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
While this is mostly a daytime assignment, projects construction mostly occurs at night. Given the airports 24/7 operations, there may be responsibilities on nights or weekends.
LICENSE REQUIRED
The successful candidate must obtain, possess, and maintain the following licenses:
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Valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment
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Valid Airport Access Badge with an Airport Driving Endorsement within ten (10) days of employment
AIRPORT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate must clear a background check which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Security Threat Assessment (STA). Airport Access Badge must be maintained and renewed every two (2) years.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants who meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Structured Oral Interview (SOI) | Exam (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.
Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.
Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click
here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
