ABOUT THIS POSITION
The Deputy Aviation Director of Public Safety and Security provides strategic direction and leadership overseeing the day-to-day management of the Airport's Security Badging & Compliance programs, the Airport Command Center, Emergency Preparedness, Airport Duty Manager, and the Airport Safety Management System programs. This position also provides strategic direction to the Phoenix Police Airport Bureau and Phoenix Fire Sky Harbor District partners; serves as the liaison with the TSA, FAA, CBP, FBI, and other law enforcement on airport safety and security related topics; and is the airport liaison with federal, state, and local governmental emergency response agencies.
This assignment requires a high degree of communication and collaboration with all Aviation Department divisions such as Operations, Technology, and Facilities & Services; Airport Police and Fire Department representatives, Federal Partners (TSA, FAA, FBI, CBP) and various City departments. This Deputy Director must have the ability to create (structure and organize) the division for optimal performance based on sound security-based practices.
The Deputy Aviation Director of Public Safety and Security reports to the Assistant Aviation Director/Chief Operating Officer. Work requires a considerable amount of managerial skill, technical knowledge in the area of safety and security practices, teamwork, and effective decision making. This position may have other duties and management responsibilities assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Knowledge of:
- Large hub airport operations, public safety and security practices.
- Police and Fire Department operations Security Principles and Practices.
- Laws, Rules/Regulations, Requirements and Ordinances pertaining to managing safety risk and assuring effectiveness of security risk controls in an aviation environment, to include systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risk.
- The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Safety Management Systems (SMS) policy.
- DOT FAA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, TSA 1542 Regulatory Requirements.
- Security systems (physical, cyber, CCTV, access control, detection).
- Investigative practices that contribute to increased security in a multi-modal, multi-disciplinary, environment.
SALARY
Pay Range: $136,489.60 - $192,234.00 annually.
Hiring Range: $136,489.60 - $167,065.60 annually.
Pay Range Explanation:
- Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
- Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
- The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $4,200/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
BENEFITS
A comprehensive Middle Manager benefits package is offered which includes:
- Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
- 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
- Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
- Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
- Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Employer paid long-term disability
- Free Bus/light rail pass
- Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
- Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
- Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
- Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
For more details, visit: Middle Manager Benefits.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five years of experience in performing aviation management.
- Three years of experience in staff management, including experience working with union representative work groups.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration, security studies, aviation, law enforcement, or related field; Master's preferred.
- Other combinations of experience and education which meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
- All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
- Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
- The following list is not all inclusive but are TSA general factors for disqualification of employment for working at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Other factors will be assessed that may also lead to disqualification. Qualified candidates should consider these factors when applying. Aviation Employment Disqualifiers
- For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
- The City job description can be found here.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:
- Large hub airport operations, facilities, public safety and security and/or emergency management experience.
- AAAE credentials (AAE, CM, ACE, etc.).
- NIMS core curriculum certifications (Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief).
- Possession of or ability to obtain a Secret Level Security Clearance.
- Experience in:
- Continuity of operations planning, preparedness, response, and recovery to crisis/emergency events.
- Working in or overseeing an emergency operations center.
- Records management systems and employment background screening.
- Business continuity strategies in emergency preparedness, crisis management, and disaster recovery.
- Conducting audits, and safety/security risk, threat, and vulnerability assessments for the purpose of continuous improvement.
- Working irregular hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays may be required.
RECRUITMENT DATES
Recruitment closes December 8, 2025. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.
This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list.This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.
During the online application process, you will provide responses to the below questions regarding your experience and qualifications (the system allows copy/pasting into the answer fields). Information you provide in your response should align to the information in your resume. Information not consistent with your resume may not be considered when determining your education and/or experience level.
- In cultivating a culture of accountability and continuous learning, what systems or practices have you implemented to ensure operational, regulatory, and commercial expectations are clearly communicated and consistently met while upholding the highest standards of safety, service, and compliance?
- Briefly describe your experience in the interpretation and application of FAA regulations, aviation industry standards, state statutes, and city ordinances.
- Briefly describe your experience working in an airport environment. Please also indicate which airports you have worked at.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
- Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
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- Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
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- If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at (602) 495-5700 or by text at (800) 367-8939. You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
REFERENCE
Deputy Aviation Dir, JC:25200, ID# 60076, 11/25/2025, USM, PO, Benefits: Middle Mgr
Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.
#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork
City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.
