Salary: $101,260.70 - $143,490.31 Annually
Location : Spokane Airport; 9000 W. Airport Dr., Ste 204, Spokane, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
Purpose Highly professional leadership position responsible for planning, organizing and directing the Spokane Airport Police Department, Dispatch Center, and Credentialing Office. This position requires strong leadership qualities, effective communication skills and well-rounded law enforcement operational experience. The police chief is responsible for the enforcement of laws and security regulations; traffic operations; airport security compliance and support; and the overall leadership and administration of airport law enforcement functions. The incumbent is expected to maintain effective working relationships and coordinate Department activities with other Airport departments and outside agencies. Directly supervises Police Sergeants and Dispatch Supervisor.
Major Responsibilities - Effectively plan, organize, direct and lead the mission and direction of the airport's law enforcement officers and administrative staff.
- Responsible to cultivate and sustain a highly effective work environment with an emphasis on customer service, staff morale, professionalism, and dedication.
- Prepare budgets, control expenditures, and authorize purchases to ensure adequate personnel, equipment, facilities, and supplies.
- Review and evaluate the performance of direct reports. Provide regular informal and formal feedback; meet regularly with direct reports to identify and resolve challenges; provide guidance and direction to correct deficiencies; and implement corrective measures, if needed.
- Establish/enforce rules and regulations governing department operations to ensure compliance with Airport policies and state and federal regulations.
- Coordinate law enforcement and communication/dispatch activities with other departments, outside agencies, tenants, and airport customers.
- Provide current technical information and interpretation of laws/regulations and industry standards; advise management, employees and tenants how to best comply.
- Act as primary liaison to the Transportation Security Administration and serve as the Airport Security Coordinator.
- Develop and maintain departmental procedures and regulations and manage training programs for security and emergency procedures.
- Direct frequent inspections of facilities and premises to ensure the integrity of secure areas.
- Conduct security risk assessment, analyze, plan and prepare other departments for coordinated response to security related incidents
- Oversee access control systems and issuance of access control media.
- Develop and maintain a mutual aid plan for on-site and off-site emergencies with local emergency response agencies.
- Ensure the creation and maintenance of timely and accurate records of all department activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications Education/Experience:
- Active and valid certification as a Washington State Peace Officer through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), or ability to obtain within six (6) months from start of employment. Maintain Washington State Peace Officer certification through the WSCJTC.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, business administration, airport management, or related field. Graduate degree preferred.
- Three years of law enforcement management experience, serving in positions such as a Chief, Assistant Chief, Major or Captain in a professional police department with full-time, paid officers, and responsibility for training and interacting with union representation.
- Experience working in law enforcement in the State of Washington preferred.
- Work experience at a TSA regulated commercial service airport preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered in meeting the requirements for this position.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license, free of serious or frequent traffic violations.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Deliver excellent internal and external customer service. Interact with the public in sensitive manner, even in stressful/controversial situations.
- Present in a professional manner and with excellent interpersonal skills in order to establish and maintain working relationships with others including co-workers and other law enforcement agencies.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Able to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines and changing priorities.
- Be a self-starter and able to work independently and with a team.
- Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Strong presentation and communication skills are required. Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
- Engage in independent and critical thinking.
- Organize information into a coherent and meaningful format with attention to detail.
- Effectively use spreadsheets, word processing, and database computer software programs.
- Knowledge of law enforcement and management principles and practices.
- Knowledge of State and local law enforcement system preferred.
- Manage/coordinate a complete response to a multitude of emergency incidents.
- Respond to emergencies and render assistance in a courteous, professional manner, even under difficult and hazardous circumstances.
- Be of good moral character and able to adhere to professional ethical standards of conduct as a public employee working in the public administration and operation of airports.
Physical Requirements:
A Police Chief is subject to risks which may require several intervention approaches ranging from verbal techniques to the use of force. The individual must be sufficiently fit to safely perform in a variety of emergency situations. They must be capable of reacting quickly, appropriately, and calmly in non-routine and emergency situations.
- Mobility throughout all airport facilities and through the community.
- Job functions require sitting for extended periods; standing and walking frequently; and stooping, kneeling, bending, lifting, carrying, climbing, and reaching occasionally.
- Requires the ability to lift, carry, push and pull objects up to 50 pounds.
- Two hand ability to fire and reload semi-automatic handgun and slide-pump shotgun.
- Two hand ability to drive and use radio microphone simultaneously.
- Extensive wrist and hand movements required for frequent keyboarding and use of office equipment.
- Able to perform close work to read and use computer required. Must also have color vision and be able to adjust focus and read small print.
- Able to continuously exchange information through listening and talking with the public, coworkers, and other individuals required. This includes the ability to talk, hear, and understand telephone and radio transmissions.
- Able to work at all times of the day or night as the needs of the organization require. Able to be on-call for addressing law enforcement or emergency response matters at any time.
- Able to respond to Airports in emergency situations in an emergency vehicle at any time.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Security/Safety:
- Applicant will be subject to thorough background investigation. Testing may be required.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain an Airport security badge as a condition of employment.
- This is a safety sensitive position.
Supplemental Information WORKING CONTACTS WITH OTHERS (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL):
Regular contact with co-workers, tenants, vendors, and the general public; frequent contact with other law enforcement agencies. Represent the Police Department at local, state and national meetings concerning law enforcement and security activities. able to use and care for firearms; must be able to work independently with minimal direct supervision; and must remain courteous and in control while serving and protecting the public.
WORKING CONDITIONS, TRAVEL, ENVIRONMENT AND POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
Work performed throughout the Airport facilities including: office, police vehicle and outdoors, occasional exposure to snow, rain, wind and vehicle traffic noise and exhaust. Occasional encounters with violence prone individuals and a variety of emergency situations. Subject to recall at all times for emergencies. Regular local travel and occasional out of area travel.
EQUIPMENT OPERATION REQUIRED:
All required firearms, radios, vehicles, office/training equipment, computers, associated software and related support equipment.
Spokane Airport provides a generous benefit package. Currently, we cover employee at 100% and dependents at 90% of the premium cost. We offer four plan choices for medical coverage (includes vision) through Kaiser Permanente. The Airport contributes to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for high deductible plans and a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for the other plans. Dental coverage is through MetLife. Additionally, the Airport provides life insurance at two times the annual salary. Optional life insurance is also available. Short term and long term disability is also provided by the Airport. Retirement is through the Washington State Department of Retirement System - LEOFF Plan 2. The Airport provides an employee assistance program through BHO, and an employee wellness program. Parking is provided.
The Airport recognizes 11 holidays. Vacation is earned at eight (8) hours a month for the first five (5) years and increases every five (5) years. Sick leave accrues at eight (8) hours a month. The Airport also provides military and jury leave.
01
What are some of the unique challenges faced by Airport Police Departments compared to traditional municipal agencies, and what would you do as the Chief to ensure your staff are prepared to meet those challenges?
02
As a small, independent agency, the Spokane Airport Police Department relies on partnerships with outside agencies to accomplish its mission. Describe your experience in building strong working relationships with other agencies, in particular between local and state or federal agencies.
03
What is your level of familiarity with TSR 1542 and associated federal regulations governing airport security?
04
Please attach your resume and cover letter for review. Applications received without a resume or cover letter may be marked as incomplete.Please Indicate if documents are attached.
Required Question
