2020 Aviation Operations Fellow
The Port Authority’s Aviation Department operates some of the busiest and most critical transportation facilities in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. It takes a dedicated team of over 1,500 staff to operate the world’s busiest airport system safely, efficiently, and with the highest standard of customer service. Our airport system (John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, New York Stewart International Airport, and Teterboro Airport) served over 140 million passengers in 2019.
Our 11h consecutive record-breaking year continues to reaffirm the great importance of major investments underway at our airports, represented by an unprecedented commitment of over $30 billion by the Port Authority and its private partners to redevelop our airports and provide a world class customer experience.
The Port Authority’s Operations Fellows Program is an opportunity for passionate individuals to help shape the future of our airport system in alignment with our vision of being a world class operator of world class airports. We are seeking transportation and aviation professionals with a strong desire to build a career in aviation and be a part of the exciting transformation of our airport system. This is your chance to join the Aviation team as we make unprecedented investments to redevelop our airports, drive a world class customer experience, and connect the region in new ways for generations to come.
Program Details
The Aviation Department Operations Fellows Program is designed for career-minded individuals with an interest in aviation operations management and a keen customer-centric orientation, who aspire to be a future leader in the aviation industry. This program is a two-year rotational experience designed to provide candidates with exposure to a variety of functions that are at the heart of our Aviation operations, including:
- Landside Operations: Terminal and airline coordination, customer experience programs, parking lots, airport busing operations, taxi dispatch, homeless outreach services
- Customer Experience: Customer program management, market research and performance measurement, customer information and correspondence
- Financial and Business Performance: Budgeting, business planning, governance and business intelligence, revenue forecasting, operations management analysis
- Aeronautical Operations: Airfield management, FAR Part 139 compliance, aeronautical construction, wildlife hazard management, snow and ice control
- Commercial Operations: Leasing and permitting process, tenant negotiation, concessions management, parking and ground transportation programs
- Safety and Regulatory Compliance: FAR 139 compliance oversight, Safety Management Systems (SMS), airport certification
- Airport Development: Redevelopment programs, capital planning, construction project coordination, airport maintenance and asset management
- Workforce Management: Scheduling, overtime and absence management, collective bargaining unit practices, training and development
In addition to rotational assignments across the Aviation Department, individuals will be able to learn more about the Port Authority overall through executive networking sessions, facility tours, and structured training and development programs. Operations Fellows will also have leadership development opportunities through customized training and workshops, individual coaching and mentoring, and development exercises to prepare them to become future leaders for the Port Authority’s essential operations. Upon successful completion of the program, Operations Fellows will be placed in permanent roles within the Aviation Department.
Operations Fellows will be selected based on academic achievement, analytical and communication skills, and work experience. The selection process for the Program is highly rigorous and consists of multiple rounds of interviews, including a qualitative interview, a competency-based panel interview, and multiple assessment exercises.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management, Operations Management, Transportation, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field with 2 years of relevant work experience or Master’s Degree in a related field and 1 to 2 years of relevant work experience
- Demonstrated interest in aviation and transportation operations through prior work experience, areas of study, internships, other volunteer service experience (volunteer fire fighting, emergency medical response, facility management, transportation, etc.)
Desirable
- Master’s Degree
- Demonstrated commitment to delivering a positive customer experience
- Interest in working in “front line” operations and leading people
- Interest in aviation and airport management
- Interest in public service
- Demonstrated problem solving and analysis skills
- Able to work effectively in across organizational levels, from executives to unionized workforce
- Strong presence, excellent written and oral communications skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite