GRR: Airport Intern - Operations

Job Type: Internship (temporary), maximum 30 hours per week

Pay: $15 per hour

Benefits: Not benefit eligible 

With more than 100 daily flights and 140 nonstop routes, Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority operates 24/7 to create an exceptional travel experience for our passengers, and growth and prosperity for all of West Michigan. We are looking for reliable, hardworking individuals to join our team for a summer filled with creativity, learning, and fun! If you're ready to make waves in the Aviation industry with Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, apply now with your resume and cover letter. We can’t wait to hear from you!

JOB SUMMARY: 

Under general supervision, the intern program is designed to expose college level intern students or recent graduates to a wide variety of careers available in the aviation industry. Responsible for performing airside and administrative duties focused on providing a safe operating environment.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to make an impact in the following ways, but not limited to:

• Completion of one major project to be completed during the program, along with a presentation to leadership. 

• Work with Operations Officers to assist in monitoring and inspecting, for safety and security purposes, the airfield, runways, taxiways and apron lighting and terminal facilities; identify problems and report appropriately. 

• Assist with training coordination and records management. 

• Work with the department to learn to communicate effectively; operate a variety of communications equipment; transmit and receive emergency and non-emergency information; maintains logs and records. 

• Assist with the annual airport safety certification inspections as able. 

• Use the following equipment systems: Crash phone, radio dispatching, computerized logs and NOTAMs.

• Provide assistance to, and visit, airlines, FBO’s, tenants, and other GFIAA departments. 

• Assist with Construction safety inspections and planning meetings. 

• Assist Operations Dispatchers in the Airport Communications Center. 

• Perform special assignments as requested to include researching and preparing reports and projects, developing, and implementing programs, and presenting technical data to management, elected officials, and others. 

• Duties may include but are not limited to para-professional level work specific to the department’s needs; the incumbents are required to exercise initiative in applying education and/or skills, work semi-independently, be resourceful and systematic in accomplishing various assignments and tasks; may be responsible for projects or be part of a project team. 

To be successful in this role, you will need the following: 

• Familiarity with FAR Part 139, TSR 1542 and other regulations and standards governing the administration of an airport, including airport safety and security and other relevant matters. 

• Familiarity with practices and principles of airport administration, operations, and/or airfield maintenance. 

• Computer literacy and working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and various internet applications required to collect, compile, analyze and report data. 

• Good English language usage skills, including spelling, punctuation, grammar and construction. 

• Good interpersonal and oral and written communications skills. 

• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with Authority and other airport employees, representatives of other agencies and the public. 

• Ability to interact positively and professionally with tenants, contractors, passengers, community representatives and members of the general public from widely diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Internship Program Criteria:

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in good academic standing OR be a recent college graduate (within last six months of application) in an aviation-related field 

• General knowledge of purpose and activity of airports

• General knowledge of FAR’s pertaining to airport and airfield operations 

• Computer literacy 

• Overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale 

NOTES: 1. Candidate must be able to pass required FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check and Department of Homeland Security Threat Assessments in addition to pre-hire and random drug and alcohol screenings. 2. Candidate must be able to maintain an airport security identification badge at all times. 

CONTACTS: This position has frequent contact with: Airport Authority staff, Airport tenants, Airport vendors and Airport management. 

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: Valid Michigan driver’s license required. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to operate motorized vehicles. Must have sufficient visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses. Must have sufficient auditory ability, with or without audiological devices, to hear alarms, pagers, other warning signals and vehicle signals indicating backward or forward motion. Must be able to descend to and ascend from a kneeling or crouching position. Must be able to access all areas of the airport. Must be able to tolerate exposure to temperatures ranging from -20o F to 100oF; dirt, dust, pollen and other airborne particulates; and extreme weather conditions. Must be able to tolerate exposure to airplane fuels, degreasers, deicers and other chemicals commonly used in operating areas of airports. Must be able to tolerate exposure to noise levels up to 120 decibels and must be able to work in close proximity to 480-volt power sources.