Job Details

Salary: $99,334.00 - $139,067.00 Annually
Location : Kenai, AK
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: 00316
Department: Kenai Municipal Airport
Opening Date: 12/05/2025
Closing Date: 2/8/2026 12:00 AM Alaska

Job Description
Under the general direction and supervision of the City Manager, the Airport Manager provides administrative direction and leadership for all Kenai Municipal Airport functions, operations, and personnel. The Kenai Municipal Airport, owned and operated by the City, is a certificated airport authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate in accordance with the rules and regulations of 14 CFR Part 139. The position includes daily contact with the public and outside agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage all functions, operations, and personnel at the Kenai Municipal Airport.
2. Develop and direct the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, plans, and priorities for the Airport to maximize services to the users of Airport facilities.
3. Prepare an annual budget request for operation and monitor the expenditures of Department funds to ensure compliance with the adopted budget, grant funds, and City policy.
4. Ensure compliance with federal regulations, City ordinances, state statutes, and environmental regulations to secure the safe and efficient operation of the Airport.
5. Select, train, supervise, evaluate and schedule the work of employees in accordance with City personnel policies.
6. In coordination with the City Manager, negotiate leases and agreements with commercial and general aviation users of the Airport as well as terminal tenants; monitor vendors and contractors to ensure compliance with aviation regulations and security regulations.
7. Work with Fire and Police Departments on transportation emergencies, evacuation, and local disaster planning; ensure Airport emergency response requirements are met.
8. Work with the Planning Department on airport planning and land management, including but not limited to verifying compliance in land use, coordinating with the FAA, compliance with federal, state, and local laws and FAA regulations, orders, and standards affecting the development, use, and management of airport properties and facilities.
9. Represent the Department to the City Council, representatives of federal and state agencies, commercial air carriers, private operators, and the general public. Exhibit high standards of integrity and ethics and a neutral and businesslike demeanor.
10. Obtain and administer Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants along with grant assurances through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
11. Design, develop, and implement public relations advertising and marketing plans to increase and enhance commercial and general aviation capabilities of the Airport; serve as point of contact for media relations and public speaking to inform the public of changes in Airport rules or security regulations.
12. Develop and maintain a variety of manuals and records, including the Emergency Control Plan, Airport Security, and Airport Certification manuals.
13. Attend City Council meetings and work sessions as requested by City Manager, often at hours outside the normal work hours of the City.
14. Act as staff liaison to the Airport Commission, including attending Commission meetings and work sessions.
15. Attend and participate in professional training and attend conferences and meetings to keep current with respect to new trends and developments in the field of Airport Operations.
16. Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.
17. Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.
18. Perform other duties as assigned by the City Manager.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Any combination of education and experience which allows for a candidate to perform the essential functions of this role will be considered.
2. Must have or obtain a valid, unrestricted Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.
3. Applicants (or an employee after hire) may be subject to background investigations, including but not limited to a criminal background check to meet security requirements for federal agencies regulating Airport Operations.
4. Must be available to work varying schedules, including weekend days, evenings, and holidays; the schedule may vary seasonally and the employee may be asked to respond to emergency call-outs when available.

Supplemental Information
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, aviation, airway science, public administration, or related field.
2. Five (5) years of progressively responsible airport management work experience.
3. Two (2) years of supervisory experience, including responsibility for hiring, training, scheduling, corrective discipline, evaluation and separation of employees.
4. Experience working at an airport that serves large air carrier and passenger aircraft.
5. American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Certified Member (CM).
6. American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) certification.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The work environment is typically in an indoor office setting, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. The employee must occasionally travel to other areas in the City, in all types of weather. While in the field, the employee may be required to walk on uneven surfaces, be exposed to various climate changes, and to drive a vehicle in various weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously to operate office equipment including telephones, radios, photocopiers, computers, keyboards, scanners and typewriters; communicate orally in person and on the telephone and radio; sit for extended periods of time; and, stand, walk, stoop, crouch and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally exert up to 40 pounds of force and is required to drive or walk to other City buildings. Specific vision requirements include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and to communicate verbally in-person as well as on a telephone and radio.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

Department Head Service: This position is included in the Department Head Service, and positions in the Department Head Service are established by the annual budget or classification plan and serve at will. Salaries of employees in the Department Head Service are set by the City Manager within the range approved by the City Council as approved through the budget process.
**Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusual difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified. When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum, but no more than the maximum range. An exceptionally qualified applicant will have at least seven (7) years of airport management experience.

**Relocation Assistant may be available for exceptionally qualified candidates.
The following information describes benefits available to City of Kenai employees working 25 hours or more per week. Actual benefits received may differ by position type or be prorated for other than full time work. All benefits are subject to change by the City.

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire*
• Supplemental Retirement Program six months after date of hire. Employer contribution of 6.2% of the first $37,500.00 of base wages earned in a calendar year
• Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program

Insurance Benefits

• PPO or QHDHP Plan options available
• Health Insurance Coverage 30 days after date of hire
• Employee and Dependent Coverage Available
• Employer Contribution of 87% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employee Contribution of 13% Medical/Vision/Dental Plan Costs
• Employer HRA Contribution for medical deductible and prescription co-pay
• Employer HSA Contribution for employees on the QHDHP

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance with supplemental coverage available for employee and dependents
• Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
• Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 7.3846 hours each pay period (10.3385 for certain Fire Department employees) with an accrual rate increase based on longevity
• Eleven and a half paid holidays each year
• Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family upon approval
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness Program includes free use of the Kenai Recreation Center
• Bona Fide Employer-Sponsored Medical Leave Sharing Arrangement

*The City of Kenai does not withhold Social Security taxes from wages earned by employees who participate in the PERS retirement system.
01

Please describe how your education and professional experience have prepared you to perform the essential functions of the Airport Manager role.
02

In which areas of management do you have experience? (Check all that apply)

• Airport Operations
• Regulatory Compliance
• Emergency response and incident management
• Budgeting and financial oversight
• Grant Management
• Staff supervision and Personnel management
• Lease and tenant management
• None of the Above

Required Question