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Airfield Operations Specialists
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel, dispatching, using airfield landing and navigational aids, implementing airfield safety procedures, monitoring and maintaining flight records, and applying knowledge of weather information.
Other titles employers use
Airfield Operations Specialist · Airport Operations Agent · Airport Operations Coordinator · Airport Operations Officer · Airport Operations Specialist · Flight Follower · Operations Agent · Operations Coordinator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.
- Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
- Conduct inspections of the airport property and perimeter to maintain controlled access to airfields.
- Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.
- Initiate or conduct airport-wide coordination of snow removal on runways and taxiways.
- Manage wildlife on and around airport grounds.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and persuading work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Subjects to know
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.8 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.3 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.4 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 51%
- High school or less 34%
- A certificate or some college 14%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Operating system software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Enterprise application integration software
- Accounting software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,380
- Job openings each year
- 310
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3,380 | 310 | 11.2% |
| Texas | 1,360 | 130 | 18.3% |
| California | 1,300 | 120 | 18.2% |
| Tennessee | 540 | 50 | 10.2% |
| New Jersey | 370 | 30 | 5.7% |
| North Dakota | 360 | 30 | 20.0% |
| Kentucky | 340 | 30 | 13.3% |
| Michigan | 300 | 30 | — |
| Virginia | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| North Carolina | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| South Dakota | 200 | 20 | 17.6% |
| Washington | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Colorado | 190 | 20 | 26.7% |
| Missouri | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Indiana | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Utah | 160 | 20 | 23.1% |
| Nevada | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Arizona | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Oregon | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Alaska | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Maryland | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Wisconsin | 90 | 10 | 28.6% |
| Kansas | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Montana | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Ohio | 70 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Mississippi | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Idaho | 30 | 0 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
- Degrees each year
- 586
- Admit rate
- 66%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 484
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
University of North Dakota
- Degrees each year
- 337
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Middle Tennessee State University
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Western Michigan University
- Degrees each year
- 207
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 171
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Purdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 140
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 131
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000