Airport Deputy Director, Planning & Engineering

JOB TITLE: Airport Deputy Director, Planning & Engineering

AGENCY: City of Palm Springs

LOCATION: Palm Springs, CA

FILING DEADLINE:  September 2, 2024

SALARY RANGE:  $129,156 – $173,532 Annually ($15,000 Bonus)

THE POSITION

The Deputy Director of Planning and Engineering is a member of the Palm Springs Aviation Department and manages and coordinates operational efficiencies, staff direction and development, the Capital Improvement Projects program, as well as providing expertise, analysis, and recommendations to the Department Head and other City staff as required.

Duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Manage and coordinate special research requests, capital improvement projects, and other department initiatives. Provide accurate and timely reporting.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. Ensure compliance and legal requirements are met.
• Oversight of planning, design, engineering, and construction management, including resources, cost schedules, milestones, and vendor management.
• Plan, organize, direct, and review the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, designs, and cost estimates for various development projects, easements, and legal requirements. Perform aviation and traffic planning activities and studies.
• Review, evaluate, and track budget allocations, employees assignments, performance, and project completion.
• Manage a variety of airport projects to include pavement work, two new concourses, a rental car facility, solar fields, approve and supervise tenant rehab work, i.e., a fuel tank, FAA equipment installations, apron work, etc.
• Lead the capital planning processes to ensure meeting priority project completion while maximizing funding from all sources; evaluate and analyze reports to make budgetary and other resource recommendations as needed.
• Maintain and ensure that Airport Safety and Security regulations are met and are current per FAA standards
• Perform other duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, adaptable, and forward-thinking leader who will enjoys challenges, autonomy, and creative solutions and has a mentorship approach to managing employees. This position will oversee a 20-year, $4 billion capital improvement projects (CIP) program while working with a staff a current full-time staff of 72 (but is now budgeted for 107 employees). The selected candidate will be self-motivated and self-guided, have a solid understanding of aviation to work with agencies such as the FAA, TSA, as well as airport tenants and other regional partners. The Deputy Director is a new position that will work with a stable team and a   talented leader. The successful candidate must have strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary to build and foster positive staff and interdepartmental relationships, as well as to engage with and provide clear presentations and reports to leadership, various committees, community groups, and other stakeholders. A solid track record in strategic planning, political astuteness, and a hands-on and team-oriented collegial work style is ideal.

Key Attributes and Characteristics

• A positive and supportive managerial style who leads from the front.
• A lifelong learner who stays current on aviation and airport compliance and regulations and anticipates the need to adapt and can implement the necessary best practices to adjust to new policy changes.
• A visionary leader who works collaboratively with staff and leadership to take a CIP from scratch and put the pieces together for a successful program.
• A confident and innovative communicator that advocates and champions for projects and programs on behalf of the Palm Springs Airport.
• The ability to oversee and assist in managing budget requirements, quality, performance, and productivity

ABOUT PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A serene hub in Southern California, Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) served more than 3.2 million passengers in 2023 and is owned and operated by the City of Palm Springs. It is the only commercial service airport in the Coachella Valley, the closest airport to Joshua Tree National Park, and hosts 12 airlines providing nonstop service to 31 airports in season with one-stop connections to more than 300 global cities.

Renowned for its tranquil open-air ambiance, scenic vistas, and resort-style charm amid groves of palm trees, PSP embodies its iconic legacy while propelling forward through ambitious expansion projects. The Airport is developing a Master Plan through the year 2045 to address the expansion and modernization of the airport, including parking and airfield improvements, Electric Vertical Takeoff and Land (eVTOL) integration. To learn more about the Palm Springs International Airport, go to: https://flypsp.com/business/about-psp/

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rev1-Palm-Springs-DDPE.pdf.

To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, and five work-related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/deputy-director-of-planning-engineering/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held.

For additional information, please contact:

Frank Rojas

Phone (510) 495-0448

frank_rojas@ajg.com

Website: https://koffassociates.com/