Airport Director

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Mesquite Metro Airport - 1340 Airport Blvd., Mesquite, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Airport
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 4:00 PM Central

GENERAL SUMMARY

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Provide executive leadership and direction for all aspects of airport operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant services. Responsibilities include strategic planning, fiscal management, maintenance and capital improvement planning, future airport expansion, and oversight of daily operations. The Airport Director ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal aviation laws and regulations, fosters effective stakeholder relationships, and manages terminal operations for both commercial and general aviation activities.

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SUPERVISION

General supervision is provided by the Assistant City Manager.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
2. Adhere to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures.
3. Supervises, manages, and evaluates employees and makes hiring decisions, discipline and/or termination of employees; prioritizes and assigns work; develops and oversees employee work schedules and approves time away from work; completes employee performance reviews; determines or makes recommendations regarding new hire salaries; and acts as liaison between employees and management.
4. Develops, administers, and monitors the department budget, including oversight of financial planning, resource allocation, operational expenditures, airport revenues, leases, rates and charges, property/development, and capital funding strategy. Coordinates grant administration as part of budget responsibilities.
5. Directs the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; and implements adjustments as necessary, in coordination with overall department budget responsibilities.
6. Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs including customer service, maintenance of airport equipment and aircraft, and grounds security; recommend, within Departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
7. Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement and review with the City Manager; implement improvements.
8. Develop and implement strategies to maintain airport customer bases; design marketing outreach efforts; solicit customer suggestions.
9. Represents the airport before City Council, advisory boards, regulatory agencies, industry organizations, business partners, and the public; prepares and delivers reports, presentations, and recommendations.
10. Develop and implement airport capital improvement plans; coordinate all capital improvement plans with FAA; prepare federal grant requests for airport capital improvements; coordinate major expansion projects with contract engineers and City engineering staff.
11. Develop effective liaisons with airport tenant businesses to foster business growth; market the airport to enhance business potential and ensure a positive business climate for the airport.
12. Monitor air traffic control tower operations; act as the City's representative with the Federal Aviation Administration and selected Federal Contract Tower Program vendor; coordinate and integrate tower operations at the airport. Directs and oversees all airport operations to ensure compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other federal, state, and local regulations while maintaining a safe, secure, and efficient operating environment.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Serve as liaison for the Mesquite-Metro Airport with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve significant and controversial issues.
2. Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to airport programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
3. Provide staff support on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of aviation.
4. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive customer inquiries and complaints.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in aviation/airport management, business administration, public administration, planning, engineering, transportation, or a related discipline.

EXPERIENCE

Four years of increasingly responsible experience overseeing airport operations, including two years of supervisory or administrative responsibility.

Familiarity with TxDOT Aviation or experience with another FAA State Block Grant Program is highly desirable.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of A.A.E., C.M., ACE, pilot certification is preferred.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

WORK SCHEDULE

Monday - Friday 8AM-5PM, with weekends and after hours as needed.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT
Full Time Employees:
The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans: High Deductible Medical Plan, Dental HMO Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance.
The City is self-insured and offers a choice of two medical plans: HSA, and High Deductible Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the City's self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy.

The City offers three dental plan options: a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates.

The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee.

Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees: Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions.

Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.
For more information about the City of Mesquite's employee benefits, please visit:
01

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have achieved.

• Less than High School completion
• High School or GED equivalency
• Technical or Community College attendance
• Technical School completion
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Ph.D.
• Juris Doctorate

02

Identify your degree area of study for the position of Airport Director.

• No Degree
• Aviation/Airport Management
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Planning
• Engineering
• Transportation
• Related Field
• Non Related Field

03

Indicate the number of years experience you have in overseeing airport operations.

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• more than 5 years

04

Indicate the number of years' experience you have in a supervisory or administrative role.PLEASE NOTE: YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MUST BE REFLECTED IN THE WORK EXPERIENCE SECTION OF THE APPLICATION.

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• more than 5 years

05

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you familiar with TxDOT Aviation or experience with another FAA State Block Grant Program?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess an A.A.E., C.M., ACE, or pilot certification? (Please select all that apply).

• No certification
• A.A.E. certification
• C.M. certification
• ACE certification
• Pilot certification

08

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: If you are a current City of Mesquite employee, have you been employed in your current position with the City of Mesquite for at least 3 months? Please indicate the option that best represents your current status.

• No, I do NOT work for the City of Mesquite
• Yes, I am a current seasonal employee with the City of Mesquite
• Yes, I have been in my current City position as a fulltime/parttime employee for at least 3 months
• No, I have NOT been in my current City of Mesquite position as a fulltime/parttime employee for 3 months

Required Question