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Job Description
Description
Have you ever been interested in working at an airport? This may be your opportunity. We are looking for Airport Operations Specialist to join our team!
The City of Palo Alto's Public Works Department has an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in becoming an Airport Operations Specialist (Hourly) at the Palo Alto Airport. Under general supervision, this position performs a wide range of operations, maintenance, and security activities at the Palo Alto Airport. This position provides assistance and support to the FAA Control Tower for distressed aircraft or during emergency operations. The Operations Specialist renders assistance and service to airport users and performs related work as required.
Work schedule may include weekends and/or evenings between the hours of 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
For hours of operation and for more information on the Palo Alto Airport, please see here .
This is an SEIU Hourly (limited-benefits) position that is budgeted to not exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year. The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on assignment.
More than one position may be filled from this posting.
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Make regular inspections and reports on facilities, runways, hangars, fences, and lighting equipment conditions and perform maintenance as needed.
- Maintain overall appearance of airport grounds and facilities, including the removal of obstacles from runways and approaches, controlling weeds and trash pick-up.
- Operate a variety of motor vehicles such as airport maintenance & first response trucks, pickup trucks, sweeping machines, light equipment, and other related equipment.
- Gather and provide information to airport users regarding local traffic procedures, arrival and departure routes, noise abatement procedures, weather conditions, airport facilities and other local services.
- Monitor airport activities, aircraft and fueling operations to ensure safety and compliance and FAA and local regulations.
- Provide group support and assistance to the FAA control tower.
- Provide assistance and support for distressed or disables aircraft and assist in emergency operations by providing first aid, operating rescue equipment, operating radio, providing information, and notifying fire and other emergency services.
- Explain and enforce City's Airport's Rules & Regulations.
- Assign hangar and tie-down spaces and collect rental fees.
- Maintain records on airport supplies, facilities, services, and equipment utilization including traffic, hangar rental, fees, and airport supplies.
- May be on-call in the event of an airport emergency.
- May act as Airport Manager in his/her absence.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:- A combination of previous training or/education equivalent to a high school senior or high school graduate.
- Previous experience in aviation related field.
- Experience performing minor mechanically maintenance.
- Ability to obtain First Aid & CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.
- Previous experience with a public agency preferred but not required.
- A valid California Driver's License is required to drive a City vehicle.
For full job description, please click HERE .
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:- Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent with 1 year of related experience.
Supplemental Information
Tentative Recruitment Timeline (all dates subject to change):- Posting Closes: April 22, 2026
- 1st Round Interviews: Week of May 4, 2026
- 2nd Round Interviews: Week of May 11, 2026
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
City of Palo Alto offers the following benefits to those in a SEIU Hourly position:
Medical Stipend
$3.80 effective the pay period including July 1, 2024.
Sick Leave
Earn .03 hour of sick leave for each hour worked.
Retirement
City of Palo Alto PST (Part-time, Seasonal & Temporary Employees) Retirement Plan
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.
Closing Date/Time: 4/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show moreThe Community
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. The community's treelined streets and historic buildings reflect its California heritage, and, at the same time, many world-class businesses maintain or started offices here, such as Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Amazon, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, Houzz, Rivian, SAP and SAP Ariba, Tesla, and Varian Medical Systems. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the start-up capital of the world. Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community's dedication to lifelong learning. Stanford's cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City's exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public-school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation. Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy featuring premium shopping and dining options. Excellent healthcare facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are some of the community's incredibly desirable and cherished amenities. To learn more, visit https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Manager/Latest-NewsCity Government
Palo Alto is a full-service charter city with a council-manager form of government. The seven-member City Council is elected at large, and the City Council annually selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor from among its members. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and City Auditor. The City Manager is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the City. Palo Alto is organized into 15 departments/offices with 1,093.10 authorized positions in FY 2025. There is also a FY 2025 capital budget of $316.2 million. Palo Alto owns and operates its own utilities, including electricity (carbon-neutral), gas, water, wastewater, and an expanding fiber network. This dynamic municipal environment ensures an ever-engaging platform for unique problem-solving and advances new initiatives, including sustainability, broadband, and effective service delivery. Community assets also include five libraries, 36 parks, five community centers, a museum and zoo, youth centers, a general aviation airport, an 18-hole golf course, a regional water treatment plant, and wildland open space preserves at the San Francisco Bay and in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains offering 41 miles of walking/biking trails in addition to its police, fire, and ambulance services. Palo Alto has long been a leader in sustainability, and the City's ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals are part of what sets it apart. Since the City's first Climate Protection Plan was passed in 2007, Palo Alto has set goals that exceed State and Federal targets. Today, the City's goal to reduce emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the "80x30" goal) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 guides sustainability efforts. An award-winning City, Palo Alto is recognized nationally as innovative and well-managed. City services and performance also receive impressive marks from community members in the Palo Alto Community Survey.
Many of those ratings put City programs and services in the highest percentiles among the hundreds of benchmark cities. Palo Alto makes decisions through comprehensive processes and proactively seeks to involve its extremely informed, educated, and engaged residents. Projects are naturally a cooperative effort among the City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees, engaged residents, neighborhoods, businesses, property owners, and staff.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government. We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
Want to learn more about our benefits? Learn more by reviewing our "Benefits at a Glance Booklet."
Contact Us
Phone: 650-329-2376
Email: Recruit@paloalto.gov
Location: City Hall, 1st Floor | 250 Hamilton Ave 94301 | View Map
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