Airfield Management Shift Lead

Overview

The Work

The Airfield Management Shift Lead is responsible for overseeing and coordinating airfield operations during assigned duty periods to ensure the airfield remains safe, effective, and fully mission‑ready. The position exists to maintain continuous situational awareness of airfield activities and to act as the on‑scene representative of Airfield Management during normal operations, emergencies, and non‑duty hours. Shift Leads support the flying mission by monitoring airfield conditions, facilitating aircraft movements, and ensuring essential airfield services are conducted in accordance with Air Force directives, local procedures, and safety standards. Their purpose is to sustain uninterrupted operational control of the airfield environment, enabling safe aircraft operations and reliable support to aircrews and base agencies.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily airfield inspections and routine airfield checks to ensure safe, compliant runway, taxiway, apron, lighting, marking, wildlife, and airfield surface conditions, documenting all results as required.
• Maintain continuous situational awareness of all airfield activities and remain responsible for controlling the Airfield Management Operations section during the entire shift.
• Conduct and document shift‑change briefings, ensuring incoming personnel are informed of all operational, emergency, and airfield status updates.
• Process flight plans, verify accuracy, manage flight data entries, transmit required movement messages, and perform flight‑following and overdue aircraft procedures.
• Request, issue, maintain, revise, and cancel Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) in accordance with Air Force and FAA requirements.
• Determine and disseminate Runway Surface Condition (RSC) and Runway Condition Reading (RCR) values, ensuring accurate reporting to flying and support agencies.
• Respond immediately to In‑Flight and Ground Emergencies, operating the Secondary Crash Net, executing Quick Reaction Checklists, and conducting follow‑up actions such as FOD sweeps, wildlife checks, and RSC/RCR determinations.
• Disperse birds and wildlife, declare or recommend bird‑watch conditions, and report remains in accordance with the Bird Aircraft Safety Hazard (BASH) Plan.
• Document all operational events accurately on AF Form 3616 using the approved contractions list and ensure logs, checklists, forms, and records are properly maintained.
• Provide professional customer service to base and transient aircrews, delivering airfield condition briefings, coordinating parking, supporting Prior Permission Required (PPR) requests, and arranging aircrew transportation when required.
• Maintain the flight planning room, ensuring maps, publications, charts, displays, and equipment are accurate, current, serviceable, and available for aircrew use.
• Execute all operating instructions, checklists, emergency procedures, and local policies to ensure safe and effective continuity of airfield operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need

• Previous Airfield Management experience required (must already be fully qualified).
• Mandatory certifications: Local qualification training, AFMAN 13‑204 Vol 2 task certification, Position Certification Guide review, and BASH/Wildlife training.
• Technical skills: AM radios, NOTAM systems, SCN, AF Form 3616, flight planning systems, and all AM equipment.
• Fully qualified and proficient in Airfield Management operations before performing the role, meaning prior AM operational experience is required.
• Must complete local AM qualification training within six months of assuming the position.
• Must complete required task certification per AFMAN 13‑204 Vol 2 (AETC SUP) before performing inspections or checks.  Must complete a review of the USAF Position Certification Guide. 
• Must complete required Wildlife Hazard/BASH training.
• Must be proficient in all Airfield Management equipment and systems.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Level Clearance.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Minimum Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills,
• Proven ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve problems with minimal supervision.
• High attention to detail with a strong sense of initiative and ownership.
• Proactive, adaptable, and flexible in responding to changing priorities.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and effective when dealing with difficult and stressful situations.
• Comfortable working both collaboratively in a team environment and independently as required.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Program Manager

Working Conditions

• Work on-site
• Works in both indoor and outdoor environments and must be physically capable of performing frequent movement around the airfield.
• Daily duties require driving and operating an airfield vehicle across runways, taxiways, infield areas, and perimeter roads, including during adverse weather such as rain, heat, cold, and nighttime operations.
• Ability to walk, stand, and visually inspect pavement surfaces, markings, lighting systems, and airfield infrastructure while carrying necessary equipment.
• Ability to enter and exit vehicles repeatedly, conducting Foreign Object Damage (FOD) sweeps, dispersing wildlife, and responding rapidly to emergencies anywhere on the airfield.
• Indoors, work at the duty desk and in the flight planning room, maintaining publications and equipment, but must be prepared to transition quickly between office and airfield settings.
• May require extended duty hours, including early mornings, evenings, and contingency or emergency operations, as driven by flying mission requirements

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.