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AIRPORT DIRECTOR $71,736 - $87,192 Plus Excellent Benefits Apply by August 11, 2017 (Open until filled)
AIRPORT DIRECTOR
$71,736 - $87,192
Plus Excellent Benefits
Apply by
August 11, 2017 (Open until filled)
C I T Y O F C H E H A L I S , W A S H I N G T O N ♦ A I R P O R T D I R E C T O R
WHY APPLY?
Nestled in a valley of forested hills and farmland, Chehalis is a vital and growing his-toric town that takes pride in its
family-oriented community. Posi-tioned halfway between Seattle
and Portland, Chehalis is ideally located to enjoy all the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including year round outdoor recreation and breathtaking landscapes with views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mount St. Helens in the distance.
THE COMMUNITY
Chehalis is a vibrant community where historic charm, character, and a rich heritage are pre-served and cherished. Chehalis is the county seat of Lewis County and has a population of about 7,500 residents with a daytime population estimat-ed to be closer to 50,000 due to a new commercial development featuring Home Depot and Wal-Mart that has turned the City into a major regional ser-vice provider. Brimming with unique businesses and attractions, the City boasts three districts on the National Reg-ister of Historic Places. Residents have quick and easy access to many cultural activities, fairs, con-certs and a wide assortment of annual events.
The City has over 300 acres of parks with an ex-ceptionally popular recreation program, including a newly remodeled outdoor aquatics center. The
Chehalis River, which runs through town, is a popular spot for kayaking and rafting. Chehalis is a frequent stop by bicyclists on the annual Seattle to Portland Bike Ride. The Chehalis School District serves 2,600 stu-dents with comprehensive and challenging aca-demic and extra-curricular programs. The district has a national reputation for excellence, consist-ently providing students with a solid foundation for advanced education and trades. Centralia College is nearby, offering over 50 academic and transfer programs, including a newly accredited Bachelor of Applied Science programs.
THE CITY
Incorporated in 1883, the City of Chehalis oper-ates as a council-manager form of government. The City has approximately 90 fulltime employees with a general fund of approximately $8.5 million with healthy financial reserves. Departments in-clude City Clerk, Court, Airport, Human Re-sources, Finance, Public Works, Police, Fire and Community Development. Services provided in-clude water and wastewater, solid waste, parks and recreation, street maintenance, land use planning, building plans review and code enforce-ment, municipal court services, municipal airport services, and general administrative services.
THE CHEHALIS-CENTRALIA AIRPORT
From its humble farmland beginnings, the Che-
halis-Centralia Airport (airport identifier KCLS) has
expanded and improved over the years and now
serves corporate and private aviation needs for
Lewis County and other nearby areas. CLS is the
only airport in Lewis County capable of handling
C I T Y O F C H E H A L I S , W A S H I N G T O N ♦ A I R P O R T D I R E C T O R
jet aircraft service needs and has the highest in-
strument approach capabilities in the county for
severe weather conditions, making it an essential
facility for emergency medical transport as well as
air search and rescue operations.
In recent years, major improvement projects have
included the construction of a new administration
building and pilot’s lounge, new hangar facilities,
an improved airport entrance and the installation
of an automated weather reporting system. The
5,000 by 150-foot runway can accommodate all
aircraft up to 30,000-lb single wheel and 85,000-lb
dual wheel. The Pacific Cataract and Laser Insti-
tute maintain three jets at CLS, transporting physi-
cians and staff on a daily basis to its clinics
throughout the northwest.
Owned jointly for most of its history by Lewis
County and the cities of Chehalis and Centralia
(which discontinued partnership in 2005), the City
of Chehalis assumed full ownership of CLS in
2014.
Approximately half of the available airport owned
property adjacent to the airport has been devel-
oped for commercial business including Wal-Mart,
Home Depot, K-Mart and other retail businesses.
Additional development is currently underway,
bringing essential economic growth to the area.
CLS is operated and maintained by a group of
dedicated and knowledgeable individuals including
one office manager and two maintenance staff.
Many of the airport improvement projects have
been completed in house, resulting in top quality
facilities at significant savings. All positions are
full time and are not represented by labor unions.
Chehalis – Centralia Airport Statistics
County Population: Approx. 75,000
Airport Traffic: Average 131 take-
off/landings per day
2017 Budget: Approx. $4.15 Million
Includes $1.1 Million for
planned capital improve-
ment projects
Routine activities include overseeing the leas-ing of airport hangars and spaces and ad-dressing issues involving airport users and tenants. The Airport Director issues NOTAMs to communicate airfield conditions, responds to emergencies and manages wildlife, snow and ice control to reduce risks for airport us-ers. THE POSITION
Appointed and supervised by the City Manager,
the Airport Director is a key member of the City’s
Leadership Team and is accountable for all activi-
ties needed to ensure safe, effective and efficient
airport operations as well as coordinating the mar-
keting and development of airport commercial
properties.
The Airport Director ensures FAA compliance with
airport standards and directives and coordinates
the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, Master
Plan, Layout Plan and Airport Surface Overlay.
Routine activities include overseeing the leasing of
airport hangars and spaces and addressing issues
involving airport users and tenants. The Airport
Director issues NOTAMs to communicate airfield
C I T Y O F C H E H A L I S , W A S H I N G T O N ♦ A I R P O R T D I R E C T O R
conditions, responds to emergencies and manag-
es wildlife, snow and ice control to reduce risks for
airport users.
PRIORITIES OF THE NEW AIRPORT DIRECTOR
The new Director will need to work cooperatively
with the City Manager and other city department
heads. Likewise, the Airport Director will need to
develop relationships with local fire and emergen-
cy response agencies to continue to improve on
plans for responding to potential aircraft/airport
emergencies. Completion of new road projects
within the airport commercial area as well as antic-
ipated development and leasing of other airport
properties will require collaboration with city de-
partments, including Community Development,
Public Works and other agencies.
Several airport capital improvement projects are
planned which will require extensive project over-
sight, bidding and contracting as well as admin-
istration of federal and state grants.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate must demonstrate a commit-
ment to both the operational and administrative
duties of the position and show leadership that will
instill trust and confidence in department staff, the
City Manager, city leaders and the community at
large. This individual will be a trained and experi-
enced airport professional with extensive
knowledge of the principals of modern airport
management and will have worked in a compara-
bly sized organization, preferably a county or mu-
nicipal airport. Experience with commercial prop-
erty management and development will be very
helpful.
The candidate will have a proven track record of
delivering results, customer service, building ac-
countability for staff and creating a positive work-
ing environment characterized by teamwork and
innovation.
The new Airport Director must have excellent in-
terpersonal skills and will be someone who has
experience working with business leaders and rep-
resentatives. Candidates should have a reputa-
tion for successful follow-through and consistent
implementation of programs and policies.
The successful candidate will lead by exam-ple; emphasizing the value and importance of ongoing training and demonstrating a strong sense of vision, backed by specific goals and objectives. He or she will have outstanding verbal and written communication skills, will value community involvement and be experi-enced in presenting information to citizens and elected officials.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Candidates must have a thorough knowledge of
the principles and practices of airport management
and airport industry standards along with strong
skills and understanding of leadership, manage-
ment and supervisory principles.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s de-
gree with major coursework in Aviation Manage-
ment, Public Administration, Business Administra-
tion, Engineering or related field and 4 years of
increasingly responsible experience in airport op-
C I T Y O F C H E H A L I S , W A S H I N G T O N ♦ A I R P O R T D I R E C T O R
erations and/or aviation, at least 3 of which involve
experience in mid-level management or above.
Current certification from the American Association
of Airport Executives (AAAE) in the Certified Mem-
ber or the Accredited Airport Executive program are
highly desired but not required.
Competitive candidates will also have an ongoing
record of training and professional development.
Any combination of education and experience may
be substituted as long as it provides the desired
skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the es-
sential functions of the job.
Note: Wildlife management efforts may involve the
possession and/or operation of firearms; therefore
individuals who are legally prohibited from pos-
sessing and/or operating firearms are not eligible to
hold this position.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
$71,736 - $87,192 DOQ
Medical, Dental, and Vision 10 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday Vacation & Sick Leave
Life Insurance
Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
Applying for the Position
Applicants should submit a resume and cover let-
ter to the City of Chehalis by August 11, 2017.
Contact: Judy Schave, Human Resources/Risk
Manager at (360) 345-3225 or
The City of Chehalis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by August 11, 2017 (first review, open until filled). Resumes and cover letter will be accepted electronically.
