Salary: $137,713.86 - $173,420.70 Annually
Location : City of Long Beach, CA
Job Type: Unclassified - Full-Time, Permanent
Job Number: AP26-017
Department: Airport - (UC)
Division: AIRPORT-AP OPS-TERMINAL OPS
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
Appointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint $155,567.283 of the salary range, however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization.
The Long Beach Airport Department currently has one (1) opening available for an Airport Operations Officer (Landside) in the Terminal Operations Division.

THE DEPARTMENTRecognized as America's Coolest Airport, LGB offers a unique blend of convenience, efficiency, and a relaxed atmosphere that sets it apart from larger, busier airports. Passengers appreciate shorter lines, quicker security checks, and easy access to gates, making travel less stressful and more enioyable. Central to the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, with an unparalleled passenger experience, LGB provides leisure travelers with the perfect gateway to Southern California's attractions while providing valuable time savings to business travelers. In a recent ranking by The Washington Post, LGB was recognized as the second-best airport in the United States, based on factors such as accessibility, ease of navigation, architectural appeal, amenities, and unique features.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) is classified as a small hub airport in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems and serves approximately four million passengers annually. Owned and operated by the City of Long Beach, LGB was established in 1923 and is one of the oldest municipal airports in the United States. Known as the Coolest Airport in America, LGB is a friendly alternative to other Southern California airports, offering preferred flight schedules, great airlines and destinations and overall accessibility.
The Airport is committed to delivering an Outstanding Customer Experience in an intelligent. ecofriendly, safe, and efficient manner while being respectful of our employees and the community that we serve. We also strive to be a major driver in the economic vitality of Long Beach. Through Organizational Excellence, we seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented staff in an organization structured for success.
Long Beach Airport has a rich history of contributions to our nation's leadership in aviation. Earl Daugherty opened one of the nation's first flight schools in Long Beach in 1919. Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart flew from Long Beach. Once home to McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), many commercial aircraft including the DC-8, DC-9/MD-80, DC-10/MD-11, and military aircraft such as the C-17 were manufactured in Long Beach. Approximately 180 businesses reside on Airport property and are responsible for roughly 18,000 jobs. Some of these include AAA. Aero Business Center, Atlantic Aviation, Long Beach Marriott Hotel, DeVry Institute of Technology, DHL, Epson America, SCAN Health Plan, Signature @ Aeroplex, Skylinks Golf Course, and United Parcel Service.
Companies located near the Airport, such as JetZero and Ampaire are revolutionizing the aerospace industry and leading the way forward with sustainable aircraft designs. The future of space travel is being shaped by local companies including Relativity Space, Rocket Labs, VAST and others. Along with our partners, LGB is a key contributor to the economic vitality of the region.
The Airport recently completed Phase II of the Terminal Area Improvements Project along with significant roadway improvements. Major elements of Phase II included a new Ticketing Facility, Baggage Claim Facility, and renovations to the Historic Terminal. In April 2026, the Airport broke ground on a Passenger Concourse Enhancement project, which will refresh these existing facilities, in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
The Airport Department is governed by the City Council; the Airport Director is appointed by the City Manager and is responsible for overall airport activities. The Director is supported by a Deputy Director, Manager of Airport Operations and Facilities and Manager of Finance and Administration. The Airport Department employs approximately 125 staff and has an annual operating budget of approximately $28 million.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
THE POSITION

The Long Beach Airport Department is seeking an Airport Operations Officer (Landside). This position is an at-will unclassified position that reports directly to the Operations and Facilities Bureau Manager. This position is responsible for coordinating strategic initiatives to improve stakeholder experience and operational efficiency as well as integrating future technologies such as Advanced Air Mobility and multi-modal opportunities. The Airport Operations Officer (Landside) will coordinate key activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure consistent direction and accountability from project conceptual design through completion. They are responsible for the maintenance and operations of all airport common-use equipment, as well as the management of applicable non-revenue contracts and cybersecurity support. The Airport Operations Officer (Landside) will assist the Operations and Facilities Bureau Manager with Air Service Development and interfaces routinely with the airlines, fixed base operators, the general aviation community, and other key Airport tenants regarding operations, efficiency and problem resolution. This position may be tasked to assist other Airport Divisions as requested including, but not limited to: Airport Airside Operations, Engineering, Facilities Maintenance and Security.
The Airport Operations Officer (Landside) manages the Landside Operations Division in the Airport Department and reports directly to the Operations and Facilities Bureau Manager, who in turn reports to the Airport Director. Within the Division are 13 employees -4 Airport Operations Specialist III, 5 Airport Operations Assistant I, and 3 Airport Operations Interns and 1 Business Systems Specialist (Cybersecurity) employees.
Work is in a public-facing, fast-paced environment, where you must be able to demonstrate flexibility and react quickly to change, as decisions can have severe consequences. Must be able to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, partners and tenants with the intent of enhancing airport customer experience and operational efficiency. Projects completed have direct impact on airport operations and the public.
Planning involves direct coordination across the Airport's operational divisions to ensure consistent designs and objectives. Exercises strong analytical and decision-making skills as decisions have trickle down effects to overall Airport operations. Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures and practices for Landside Operations management. Involved with reviewing facility design plans, providing input to the Airport Certification Manual, Airport Emergency Plan, and Airport Security Plan.
The Airport Operations Officer (Landside) is responsible for coordination with airline stakeholders, management of common-use resources, technology and infrastructure, compliance with federal regulatory requirements. This position will also provide input to the integration of future aircraft technologies, operational capabilities, and modalities, including advanced air mobility vehicles, blended-wing aircraft designs and multimodal transportation opportunities. Additionally, focuses on airside business development, flight slot management, airline communication regarding aviation demand, and network planning and optimization within the constraints of regulations. This is in addition to the daily requirement of ensuring smooth vehicular, aircraft and passenger flow, ensuring common-use equipment is in working order, and managing non-revenue contracts.
This position represents the Airport with community stakeholders and elected officials, including attendance in public meetings, and serves as the direct liaison with airline local staff, including Airline Station and General Managers. Key contacts include internal Airport staff, Airline management and staff, General Aviation personnel, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and a variety of other Airport partners.
Handles problems or issues related to common-use equipment and supports activities related to, but not Iimited to, to the American's with Disabilities Act, Local Noise Compatibility Ordinance, escort operations, lost and found operations, and inspections. Responsibilities include oversight of Ticketing and Screening Building operations, to include monitoring, stocking and servicing of kiosks and monitoring passenger flow and congestion. The position also manages support and troubleshooting of the automated Flight and Baggage lnformation Display systems and Baggage Handling System.
Specific duties include:

• Oversees the daily operations and functions of the Airport's Landside Division, directing assets that involve direct passenger interaction, from the ticketing building to security screening, to the landside operations experience, and baggage claim;
• Responds to calls and inquiries, working with airlines and other airport tenants to resolve issues and enhance operations;
• Determines the allocation of resources necessary to fulfill division goals and objectives;
• Represents the Airport at meetings relative to landside operations;
• Acts as the Airport Operations Liaison, attending meetings on behalf of the Operations and Facilities Manager;
• Collaborates with fellow Airport Divisions Officers and staff on larger Airport-related projects;
• Works with Airport tenants on all matters related to Landside Operations;
• Recommends annual and long-term plans, programs and budget related to the Landside Division;
• Maintains relationships with airport tenants and ensures effective communication;
• Performs other management functions as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE
EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Aviation Management, Engineering, Operations Research, or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible direct operational airport, aviation or airline experience is required, with at least three (3) in a supervisory role.
  • A combination of education/experience can be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Class C Motor Vehicle Operator License. (Required to obtain a California Class C Motor Vehicle operator license within 6 months if out of state).
• Ability to pass a Transportation Security Administration/Federal Aviation Administration (TSA/FAA) mandated 10-year employment history and background check which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), and maintain security clearance as required by law.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification as an American Association of Airport Executives Certified Member or Accredited Airport
  Executive.
• Pilot Certification.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Ability to research, compile, analyze and interpret data.
• Ability to prepare and present written and oral reports