Senior Aviation Planner

Pape-Dawson Engineers • Scottsdale, AZ

6d

About The Position

The Senior Aviation Planner is an experienced aviation planning professional who serves as a senior technical contributor on complex airport planning, land use compatibility, and environmental planning projects. This role operates independently, leads significant technical analyses, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides guidance to junior staff while supporting client and agency coordination.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Urban Planning, Environmental Studies, Geography, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive aviation planning, airport planning, environmental planning, or related experience.
• Certified Member (C.M.) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) required
• Demonstrated experience preparing aviation planning studies, airport master plans, airport layout plans (ALPs), land use compatibility analyses, and environmental planning documents.
• Strong knowledge of FAA regulations, advisory circulars, airport planning principles, and applicable environmental regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing project tasks, schedules, budgets, and multiple project assignments simultaneously.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive client and stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to review technical work products, provide guidance to junior staff, and contribute to staff development and mentorship.

Nice To Haves

• AICP certification and/or LEED accreditation preferred.
• Experience with NEPA documentation and environmental review processes preferred.
• Familiarity with airport capital improvement planning and FAA funding programs preferred.
• Experience supporting proposal development, scope preparation, and fee estimating preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform and coordinate the preparation of aviation planning projects, including airport master plans, aviation studies, land use compatibility analyses, and environmental planning documents
• Develop project work plans, schedules, and fee tracking tools for assigned projects
• Prepare and oversee technical analyses including aviation forecasting, facility planning, development alternatives, and policy evaluations
• Prepare and coordinate Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) and environmental documentation, including NEPA and other applicable environmental documentation
• Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, advisory circulars, land use regulations, and environmental requirements
• Serve as primary point of contact for airport sponsors, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders for assigned projects
• Prepare and deliver presentations at public meetings, advisory committees, and City Council/Commission briefings
• Review technical work prepared by planning staff and provide guidance to support quality and consistency
• Contribute to proposal preparation, scope development, and fee estimates
• Monitor project progress to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, and budget expectations

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior