SMS Specialist

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The SMS Specialist performs skilled work to identify safety hazards, conduct safety assessments and follow-up inspections in the Air Operations Area, and support Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s compliance with 14 CFR Part 139, particularly Subpart E covering Airport Safety Management Systems. The role also assists with compliance activities under other federal, state, and local regulations, including ancillary duties related to 14 CFR Part 139 and 49 CFR Part 1542. The specialist communicates effectively, assesses situations quickly and objectively, follows established procedures, and represents the airport professionally. The position includes inspections of movement and non-movement areas, safety investigations, incident follow-up, stakeholder coordination, reporting, work-order follow-up, SMS project support, and promotion and training for the airport’s SMS program. It also supports the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management Program by organizing and leading FOD walks. The specialist may assist during emergencies and irregular operations, support other Airport Operations divisions, and be assigned day-to-day Airport Operations duties as needed. This is an on-site position with field and office work. Work is primarily outdoors, on foot or while operating a motor vehicle, in all weather conditions and on- and off-road. The role requires frequent stakeholder contact, significant daily walking, and occasional extended standing during incidents or investigations. The employee must wear required personal protective equipment in designated areas. The schedule may be non-standard and rotating, with availability for any shift, 24/7/365.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED with five years of related work experience; or a two-year college degree with three years of related work experience; or a bachelor’s degree with one year of relevant work experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Obtain a Non-Movement Area Driving Certification upon hire.
Obtain a Movement Area Driving Certification within 60 days of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
Knowledge of 14 CFR Part 139 and Safety Management Systems.
Knowledge of airport and air carrier operations, including relevant FAA and TSA regulations.
Knowledge of SMS Safety Risk Assessment/Management Panels, safety investigation best practices, and risk analyses and assessments.
Skill with Microsoft Office software, airport operations software, and mobile phone applications.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with airport and tenant staff, work independently and as part of a team, manage a workload combining field and office work, and perform basic mathematical functions.
Ability to provide excellent customer service, collaborate, troubleshoot, and solve problems.
Ability to work on-site five days per week and be available for any shift on a non-standard or rotating schedule, 24/7/365.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions, on- and off-road.
Ability to obtain and maintain non-movement and movement area driving privileges within 60 days of hire.
Ability to conduct complex investigations and maintain confidentiality regarding findings.
Ability to issue administrative safety citations calmly and professionally and communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally.
Ability to perform other duties as assigned to support airport operations.
Ability to meet the physical demands of extended sitting, standing, climbing, or walking; moderate to heavy lifting and carrying; and some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Adequate vision, hearing, and speech; ability to use sensory attention while walking or driving in the Air Operations Area, understand work-related written information, and distinguish speech in loud environments.
Willingness to wear required personal protective equipment in areas where PPE is required.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. Candidates may also be asked to take a skills test or participate in other assessments.
Successful candidates are subject to the City’s background check process.

Nice To Haves

AAAE ACE SMS certification.
AAAE ACE Operations certification.
Other relevant Part 139 or Safety Management System certifications.

Responsibilities

Support CLT’s compliance with 14 CFR Part 139, particularly Subpart E – Airport Safety Management System, and assist with related 14 CFR Part 139 and 49 CFR Part 1542 compliance activities.
Conduct inspections of movement and non-movement areas for compliance with FAA and other SMS regulatory requirements.
Assist with SMS-related projects, training, and promotion of CLT’s SMS program.
Communicate comprehensively and concisely in oral and written form.
Coordinate regularly with stakeholders and internal partners, and conduct site visits at airport facilities.
Follow up on safety incidents, inquiries, and anonymous tips, and generate reports.
Generate work orders and inspect completed work to ensure satisfactory results.
Investigate non-compliance with safety rules and regulations.
When necessary, issue administrative safety violations professionally and calmly to employees who violate safety rules.
Support the FOD Management Program, including organizing and leading FOD walks and related activities.
Assist during emergencies and irregular operations as directed.
Assist other Airport Operations divisions and perform other duties as assigned.
May perform day-to-day Airport Operations duties as needed, 24/7/365.