Airport Operations Specialist

**Our Story**:
Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect, and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

**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/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/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/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 and 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 pick-up; planting, weeding, watering flowers, trees, shrubs, hedges; grading, patching; sweeping debris from roads/pavement; removing vegetation/debris from drainage ditches; hydro meter readings).

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.

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 to provide a means of egress for passengers/crew to exit aircraft in the event of an accident or fire, using firefighting apparatus, fire suppression materials, and techniques. Preserves scene for post-incident/accident investigation. Perform