Operations Specialist - AVOP and Apron Certifications

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places, planes and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. Apron Operations plays an integral part in the on-time performance by carriers, while maintaining standardized apron facilities, systems and processes to support YVR’s partners in their service delivery.

Position Overview 

We have an opportunity for a permanent, full-time Operations Specialist, AVOP and Apron Certifications in the Airside Operations Department. Reporting to the Manager, Apron Operations, the Operations Specialist, AVOP and Apron Certifications is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Airside Vehicle Operations Permit (AVOP) Program, ensuring service delivery of the AVOP Office and program elements including the licensing of drivers and vehicles, enforcement of the Airside Traffic Directives, AVOP surveillance audits, the administration of violation notice appeals and the certification of external trainers and examiners. The candidate will have a leading role as part of safety committees, improve data collection and conformity of airside traffic directive standards across the airport community and address future needs. The role requires leadership and focus in areas of optimizing vehicle operations within apron system design and infrastructure planning, aircraft towing operations and root cause analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides subject matter expertise and technical guidance on airside traffic directives/aviation standards and recommended practices, as well as on YVR’s related programs and initiatives, including operational preparedness and/or project development.
• Leads annual reviews for continual improvement of the Airside Traffic Directives (ATDs) to ensure they are current and reflective of the unique airside environment. Issues bulletins and other notices to the airport community as necessary to ensure safe driving practices are adhered to.
• Leads audits of stakeholder training programs to ensure conformance to the ATDs and provides oversight of corrective action plans implemented to address audit findings.
• Ensures that a high level of integrity and customer care is maintained by the contract service provider who administers AVOP licenses and suspensions, and written and practical driver exams, ATD enforcement and educational outreach initiatives.
• Ensures stakeholder requirements for vehicle operations are understood and represented in airfield and apron initiatives that achieves safe and optimally efficient outcomes for all users from design concept through to capital project planning and operational use.
• Engages and/or initiates forums that captures expertise from industry leading experts and develops business cases to enable aircraft towing and driver safety enhancements and technologies.
• Dissects complex problems into simplified or prioritized steps and constructs programs, plans and procedures that facilitates effective aircraft and ground handling/vehicle operations on YVR’s controlled and uncontrolled surfaces. 
• Oversees the Passenger Boarding Bridge training program which reviews and strives to solve issues related to the operation, training, and maintenance of passenger boarding bridges.
• Sets various KPI metrics and conducts data analysis to establish program performance and monitors against program goals.
• Lead and/or participate in AVOP related occurrence investigations, conduct root cause analysis, and address deficiencies as necessary
• Act as a designate to the Manager, Apron Operations in reviewing AVOP violation appeals 

Key Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in airside operations, supplemented by a Bachelor’s degree, Technical degree in business, aviation or related discipline or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 
• Proficient in process analysis and building consensus to achieve effective buy-in among stakeholders to resolve systemic problems.
• Candidate demonstrates capabilities in diplomacy skills with stakeholders and building trusting relationships that emphasizes airside knowledge sharing to support continual improvement among an expanded team of professionals.
• A self-starter with proven ability to work and make decisions in a complex, technical environment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills – including presenting to large groups.
• This role requires regular on-site presence to support stakeholder engagement. Some evenings/weekend shift work hours may be required in support of operational planning and emergencies (e/g weather).
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license, radio operator’s license and the ability to obtain a D AVOP license, as well as drive-in all-weather conditions, day and night.

Due to the nature of the work involved, on site presence most of the work week is strongly preferred Monday-to-Friday, with an option to work from home, occasionally.  Shift work will be required to support Winter and IRROPs events. 

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.
As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range : $80,932 – $105,773 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits.

Please note that availability may vary based on employment type and is subject to certain eligibility requirements and potential changes by YVR.

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at careers@yvr.ca.