Career Opportunity

Airport Duty Manager (0923) – SFO – (166058)

Recruitment: RTF0166057-01116240

Published: August 17, 2026

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below:

• Application Opening: 08/17/2026
• Application Deadline: Apply immediately. Application filing will be open at least through Monday, 08/31/26 at 5:00 PM (PDT) and will close any time thereafter.
• Compensation: $149,656 to $190,996 annually
• Recruitment ID: PBT-0923-166058

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the most dynamic and consequential airports in the world, serving as the primary international gateway to Northern California and Silicon Valley. As an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco, SFO welcomes over 54 million guests annually and offers nonstop service to more than 140 destinations worldwide on 50+ airlines.

SFO is far more than a transportation hub. It is a recognized leader in environmental sustainability, equity, arts and culture, and forward-thinking infrastructure. With approximately 1,900 City employees and a broader community of more than 25,000 workers across airlines, concessionaires, and partners, SFO generates significant economic vitality across the Bay Area region.

Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first. Our core values of Safety and Security, Teamwork, Excellence, Care, and Equity guide everything we do as we build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.

SFO is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Applicants are considered regardless of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under applicable law.

Learn more about careers at SFO at flysfo.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Bluesky and Threads.

Becoming a City employee means being a part of a team that cares about making a difference. Your work will shape both the present and future of San Francisco. When you work for the City, you’re choosing a job with purpose.

Role description

Under general management, the Airport Duty Manager (ADM) reports to the Managing Director of Airport Services. As the principal representative of the Airport Director, the Airport Duty Manager oversees all Airport activities and, as directed, is responsible for the coordination of all Airport divisions/sections. In the absence of more senior management, the Airport Duty Manager assumes responsibility for the function, operations, and physical maintenance of the entire Airport complex and represents Airport management during emergencies 24 hours per day.

You are excited about this opportunity because you will:

1. Coordinate and manage all operational activities of airport staff to ensure the safety and security of passengers, tenants, and employees; direct influence over the performance of all airport operational staff including terminals, security, airfield, baggage, parking facilities, remote property, and landside operations on a shift by shift basis; coordinates with SFPD, Security Operations Center (SOC), security vendor, and TSA to ensure security procedural compliance and manage security events including evacuation, facility searches, and re-screening.
2. Identify potential problems and initiate corrective actions to minimize impact to the traveling public; coordinate resolution of issues with senior management, tenants, government officials, and other airport users; determine work priorities and deadlines; delegate to appropriate airport personnel to accomplish objectives; respond to complaints from staff, airlines, tenant, concessions, and the general public to resolve concerns and support the Airport’s mission.
3. Conduct briefings with senior staff and shift briefings with all department management to provide critical information to all areas; directs the use of tenant communication tools including updates to Passur and Everbridge to provide routine and emergency information to airlines and other stakeholders; advise Communications staff during Airport critical events including content of each incident communication.
4. Coordinate scheduling, scope of work and safety issues with stakeholders on all construction and maintenance projects to insure minimal operational disruption; monitor all construction activity occurring in “active” terminals to address safety and customer satisfaction concerns; conduct safety spot checks of all Airport facilities; respond, assess, and fix security issues to prevent violations and fines as related to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1540-1542.
5. Respond and manage the airport facility including the Emergency Operations Center during emergencies; coordinate support activities for routine and non-routine situations requiring the cooperation of federal, state, and local agencies; assist SFPD-AB with managing the transient program by actively monitoring facilities, admonishing individuals, signing citizen arrest forms, updating the Airport’s data file, and appearing in Court.
6. Represent the Airport Director and Senior Staff during emergencies; serve as the Senior Leader on duty and the Airport media spokesperson during off hours.
7. Manage access to Special System Rooms (SSR) and sensitive support areas to prevent any unauthorized access; verify tenant, maintenance, and construction crew credentials, tools, liquids, and materials to ensure compliance with security regulations; manage special events including film shoots, VIP, Government Affairs escorts by notifying all stakeholders, providing consulate assistance, and coordinating activities.
8. Monitor and approve the use of common-use equipment including gates, checkpoint equipment, ticket counters, jet bridges, baggage handling systems, and baggage carousels to ensure critical equipment is available during irregular operations or emergencies; monitor the efficiency of security checkpoint lines (line wait compliance), passenger screening equipment, queuing systems, and checked baggage equipment to support the airport’s goals and customer service expectations.
9. Manage tarmac delay program to ensure compliance with Federal guidelines by interacting with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airlines to provide alternate gates and/or bus operations; monitor ground transportation traffic flow to ensure sufficient resources for customers and help enforce provider compliance; and monitor AirTrain and BART services to ensure service levels and resolution of outages; monitor the issuance of Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) to reflect changing airfield conditions and/or hazards to air traffic.

Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification, which can be found on DHR’s website: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=0923&setId=COMMN

Nature of Work: Position requires rotating shifts/days off – encompasses 24 hours/7 days a week shift coverage, including weekends and holidays. Position also requires prolonged standing and walking, and occasional squatting, kneeling, and climbing. Working conditions may necessitate working at sites with noise greater than 90 decibels; may include heights, streets, and roadways.

How to qualify

1. Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university AND
2. Experience: Five (5) years of professional-level airport/aviation work experience in customer service, facilities, or operations at a medium to large airport AND
3. License and Certification: Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license prior to employment.

Education Substitution: Additional qualifying full-time work experience (2000 hours equal one year) as described above may substitute up to two (2) years of the required education. One (1) year of work experience equals to 30 semester units or 45 quarter units.

One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Two (2) years of supervisory experience in planning, directing, and/or managing of airport facilities and/or aviation operations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to conduct press interviews.
• Experience in responding to and coordinating airport emergencies and incidents of all types.
• Experience with heavy coordination of airport/airline operations with the responsibility for the overall management of the operations in a specific airport/station.
• Possession of certificate(s) of completion for Incident Command System (ICS) classes (100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800).

Verification

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

SELECTION PROCEDURES

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Supervisory Test Battery (Weight: 40%)

Candidates who meet the position minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in a computer-based examination designed to measure competencies in job-related areas which may include but not be limited to:

• Problem Solving
• Leadership
• Decision Making
• Interpersonal Skill
• Human Resources Management
• Team Building
• Communication
• Conflict Management

For more information about this Supervisory Test, please click here.

NOTE: A passing score must be achieved on the Supervisory Test Battery in order to continue in the selection process. This is a standardized examination, and therefore, test questions and answers are not available for public inspection or review.

Scores attained on the Supervisory Test Battery will be valid and ‘banked’ for three years, starting from the date of the examination. This means that, during this three-year time period, you will not be required to take the Supervisory Test Battery. The Supervisory Test Battery may be used for many other classes; therefore, your test score may be applied to one or more of these classes if you choose to apply to future recruitments. If the selection process for the future announcement is held within one year of the date of this examination and it includes the Supervisory Test Battery, your score will be automatically applied to that announcement. However, after one year, you have the option to either (a) apply your test score to the other announcement or (b) re-take the Supervisory Test Battery. Re-testing is permitted no sooner than one year from the date of the examination and only in association with your eligibility for another announcement for which the Supervisory Test Battery is used. Please note that, should you re-test, your re-test score would become your official score since it is the most recent.

Supplemental Questionnaire: (Weight: 60%)

Applicants who achieve a passing score on the Supervisory Test Battery will be sent a Supplemental Questionnaire. The Supplemental Questionnaire (Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire) is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position.  All candidates’ responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are subject to verification. All relevant experience, education and/or training must be included in the responses in order to be reviewed in the rating process.

 A passing score on both the Supervisory Test Battery and the Supplemental Questionnaire must be achieved in order to be placed/ranked on the eligible list. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score.

NOTE: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through all of the steps in the selection procedure.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance: Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Customs Clearance: This position requires that the incumbent be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the qualifications required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189.

Medical Examination: Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination to determine their ability to perform the essential functions of the job and/or the ability to meet the physical minimum requirements.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report:

A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see the city’s Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments.

Certification: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of the List.  The hiring department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures prior to making final hiring decisions.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

WHERE TO APPLY

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions, you may contact Jillian Perillo at jillian.perillo@flysfo.com.

Recruitment ID: RTF0166057-01116240

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.