Airport Operations Specialist, Landside - Portland International Airport

• Under the direction of the Airport Duty Manager, provide 24/7 oversight of the terminal and landside systems for matters of safety, security, efficiency, and customer service.
  • Evaluate, report and recommend to the Airport Duty Manager any corrective action, as needed, on any planned and unplanned terminal and landside closures and/or restrictions.
  • Assist in the coordination of activities and efforts to minimize impacts resulting from emergencies, weather problems, construction and maintenance, or other irregular situations.
• Conduct daily terminal and concourse inspections to assess operations and facility conditions.
  • Identify and report all maintenance issues for resolution.
  • Monitor airline ticket lobby areas and security checkpoints for efficient movement of passengers and procedural compliance, and provide adjustments as needed.
  • Ensure concessions operators are in compliance with lease space.
• Conduct public area inspections of the terminal roadways to ensure smooth vehicle and pedestrian flow.
  • Monitor activities at public parking facilities and advise appropriate Port department of identified Issues.
  • Inspect taxi hold lot to ensure provider compliance with Port Ordinances and Airport Rules and Regulations.
• Provide exemplary customer service and relationship management when interacting with customers, travelers, tenants and all stakeholders.
  • Work with airline and airport tenant/concession representatives to facilitate the movement of passengers through the airport during normal and irregular operations, construction activities that impact routine operations, and closures of facilities.
  • If required, take corrective action, coordinating with stakeholders to mitigate impacts to the traveling public when construction negatively affects operations in the public space.
• Maintain Subject Matter Expertise and documentation in assigned operational areas.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field is preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years experience applying directive or regulatory requirements within a dynamic operational environment is required; understanding and experience with TSR 1542 is preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.
• Maintain a valid state drivers' license is required.
• Ability to pass and maintain a Criminal History Records check and Security Threat Assessment required for a PDX Security Badge is required.
• Working knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of air terminal operations and landside operations including parking ground transportation and busing operations, and airport rules and regulations, safety, and security

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Proven team player that shows the utmost respect for others.
• Demonstrate commitment to valuing differences among individuals and passion for being inclusive.
• Effectively solve problems while applying complex regulations and procedures under high-pressure circumstances.
• Work with general supervision and in isolated situations.
• Evaluate, report, and recommend to the Airport Duty Manager any operational plans and operational impacts resolutions.
• Safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle in the airfield environment.

SELECTION PROCESS & INTERVIEW SCHEDULE (tentative schedule):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources the week of December 22, 2025.
   
   
2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials including any responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
   
   
3. Candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation will move on to first-round interviews on January 6, 2026. A select number of candidates will then be invited to an in-person panel interview on January 14, 2026.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.