At SAN, we take pride in fostering employee growth and development. This position is exclusively available to current SDCRAA employees, reflecting our commitment to internal advancement; all other applications will not be considered. About the Job:The Facilities Management team is seeking a Lead Maintenance Project Coordinator to help keep SAN's infrastructure operating safely, reliably, and efficiently. From runways and aprons to airport facilities and landscaped areas, this role leads maintenance and repair projects that support the airport's day-to-day operations and the experience of the SAN traveler.
The selected candidate will lead complex projects, coordinate contractors and internal partners, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to fellow Maintenance Project Coordinators. Their leadership will help move projects from planning through completion while balancing schedules, budgets, quality, and safety in a dynamic airport environment.
What You'll Do:- Lead Maintenance Projects: Lead complex maintenance and repair projects from initial planning and scope development through execution and closeout. Coordinate contractors, internal teams, tenants, and other stakeholders to deliver projects that meet established requirements. Evaluate process improvements in project coordination, procedures, reporting, budgets, and program practices while staying current on relevant industry trends and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate Contractors & Inspect Work: Serve as a primary liaison between the Authority and contractors, monitoring work performed across the Airport Authority campus. Conduct inspections and verify compliance with contract requirements, budget, plans, specifications, codes, and applicable safety and security standards.
- Project Maintenance: Develop and monitor project schedules, milestones, deliverables, budgets, and cost estimates. Identify risks, resolve field issues, evaluate proposed changes, and recommend corrective actions. Review change order requests, document field adjustments, and assess the potential impact of changes.
- Contract Administration: Develop and review scopes of work, bids, requests for proposals (RFPs), and project estimates. Participate in contractor selection, coordinate contract execution, issue letters to proceed, review documentation supporting contractor payments, and coordinate project closeout.
- Support Team & Department Priorities: Assist management with project portfolio planning, workload distribution, staffing needs, and competing operational priorities. Track project performance, identify resource or scheduling conflicts, and recommend strategies that support departmental goals and operational needs.
- Leadership: Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and technical guidance to Maintenance Project Coordinators. Assign and prioritize work, coordinate workloads and schedules, clarify expectations, and promote consistent inspection practices, documentation standards, and project procedures.
- Operational Driving*: Drive and operate Authority vehicles to conduct site visits and inspections.
The Skills You Need: - Business Process Knowledge: Analyzes and interprets work plans and specifications, documents, monitors and inspects routine to complex projects and processes to ensure compliance with requirements; prepares frameworks for process improvement; applies engineering practices, calculations, materials, laws, codes and cost-estimating principles; maintains contracts and ensures safe work practices; and provides technical guidance regarding project requirements and standards.
- Project Management: Plans, organizes, coordinates and monitors multiple maintenance and facilities projects through the project lifecycle; establishes priorities, schedules, milestones and deliverables; monitors scope, cost, schedule, quality and risk; coordinates resources and stakeholders; resolves project issues and dependencies; maintains appropriate project documentation; and communicates project status, risks and recommendations to management and stakeholders.
- Communication & Customer Focus: Proficiently exchanges information through verbal, digital and written communication; facilitates work completion; provides clear direction and technical guidance; and builds effective working relationships with contractors, internal stakeholders, tenants and others.
- Critical Thinking: Works independently and exercises sound judgment; critically reviews and translates project requirements, data and information to specify solutions or alternative practices in support of business objectives and strategies; and reviews work performed by others for accuracy, quality and compliance.
- Problem-Solving & Agility: Analyzes situations and factors, collaboratively generates alternative and practical solutions, readily adapts behavior or new work methods, and effectively responds to evolving and unexpected situations while maintaining project and operational priorities.
- Relationship Building: Builds and maintains relationships with stakeholders; identifies and relates information, ideas and problems; provides guidance and support to team members; and champions initiatives and ideas based on mutually acceptable solutions.
- Leveraging Technology: Effectively uses information electronically and related work systems, including engineering, drafting, project documentation and other technology used to support maintenance and facilities projects.
- Leadership & Team Development: Provides leadership, guidance and support to Maintenance Project Coordinators; promotes accountability, collaboration and consistency in work practices; coaches and mentors staff to build technical and professional capabilities; facilitates knowledge sharing and continuous improvement; identifies development opportunities; and fosters a positive, customer-focused and safety-conscious work environment.
RequirementsThe Experience You Need to Have**: - Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field.
- Six years of paraprofessional, public works-related engineering experience, including drafting and construction, civil, plumbing, and/or electrical and mechanical inspection responsibilities
- Or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements: - Maintain a valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Authority's vehicle insurance policy.
- Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses: - Master's degree in engineering, construction management, project management, facilities management, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
- One or more relevant industry-recognized licenses or certifications, such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facilities Management Professional (FMP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), California Professional Engineer (PE), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), or an equivalent credential relevant to the assignment.
*Driving is an Essential FunctionThis role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver's license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role.
**Don't meet every requirement? That's okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don't-and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it's not the right fit, we'll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.
