SMS Specialist

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

3d•$73,675 - $105,907•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—Airport Safety Management System. The role also assists with ancillary compliance activities under 14 CFR Part 139 and 49 CFR Part 1542, and helps enforce airfield safety rules and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. The position combines field and office work and requires clear oral and written communication, sound judgment, and the ability to assess situations quickly and objectively while following established procedures. The specialist regularly coordinates with airport stakeholders and internal partners, represents the airport professionally, and may assist with emergencies, irregular operations, and other Airport Operations duties as assigned. Work is on-site five days per week, with availability for any shift on a non-standard or rotating schedule, 24/7/365. The role is primarily outdoors, involving daily walking, safety investigations, site visits, and driving in all weather conditions on and off road. It also includes indoor administrative work such as completing reports. The employee must wear required personal protective equipment where applicable and maintain the required airport driving privileges. Physical demands may include extended sitting, standing, climbing, and walking; moderate to heavy lifting and carrying; and crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling. The position requires adequate vision, hearing, and speech, and concentrated attention while walking or driving in the Air Operations Area. Candidates must meet one of these education and experience combinations: high school diploma or GED plus five years of related experience; a two-year college degree plus three years of related experience; or a bachelor’s degree plus one year of relevant experience. A valid driver’s license is required. Non-Movement Area Driving Certification must be obtained upon hire, and Movement Area Driving Certification must be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained throughout employment. AAAE ACE SMS, AAAE ACE Operations, and other relevant Part 139 or Safety Management System certifications are preferred. Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical examination and are subject to the City’s background check policy. Candidates may also be asked to take a skills test or participate in other assessments. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees; details are available through the City’s benefits information.

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 Non-Movement Area Driving Certification upon hire.
Obtain 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.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office software, airport operations software, and mobile phone applications.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with airport and tenant staff.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, often with minimal supervision.
Time-management skills for a workload combining field and office work.
Ability to perform basic mathematical functions, including percentages and ratios.
Excellent customer service, collaboration, teamwork, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work on-site five days per week.
Ability to work any shift on a non-standard or rotating schedule and be available 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 conduct complex investigations and maintain confidentiality of findings.
Ability to issue administrative safety citations calmly and professionally.
Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with other teams and perform duties that support airport operations.
Willingness and ability to wear required personal protective equipment where required.
Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands described for the position, including extended walking or standing, lifting and carrying, and attentive use of vision and hearing in the Air Operations Area.

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 to verify compliance with FAA and other SMS regulatory requirements.
Assist with SMS-related projects and communicate information clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
Assist with training and promotion of CLT’s SMS program.
Coordinate regularly with airport stakeholders and internal partners.
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.
Issue administrative safety violations professionally and calmly when employees violate safety rules.
Support the Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management Program by organizing and leading FOD walks and carrying out related activities.
Follow complex instructions and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Assist during emergencies and irregular operations as directed.
Assist other Airport Operations divisions and perform day-to-day Airport Operations duties as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.