Director of Aviation

Director of Aviation

Port of Bellingham – Bellingham International Airport

Bellingham, Washington

Salary:  $150,000 – $186,480

The Port of Bellingham is a Washington State special purpose municipal corporation serving all of Whatcom County, which is located in the northwest corner of the state. With its proximity to Mt. Baker, the beautiful Puget Sound, and the world renown San Juan Islands, Whatcom County is an extremely desirable place to live and work. Located just south of the Canadian border, Whatcom County (population 229,000) is made up of several rural communities and smaller towns, as well as Bellingham (population 90,000), the county seat. Bellingham is the recipient of a long list of awards, including many designations as a “best place” for livability and outdoor adventures and recognition for leadership in sustainability. The city is also home to Western Washington University.

The Port of Bellingham operates the Bellingham International Airport (BLI), two marinas, a shipping terminal, a ferry terminal, bus station, and a real estate portfolio hosting over 300 businesses. BLI is a Federal Aviation (FAA) Regulation Part 139 primary nonhub commercial air service airport with daily originating direct and connecting flights to destinations throughout the United States and abroad. Allegiant Travel Company, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Air Group with commuter service by Horizon Airlines to SEA provided a majority of scheduled service in 2022. BLI has facilities for commercial airlines, air cargo, general aviation, and maintenance. The airfield consists of a single all-weather precision Instrument Landing System (ILS) Runway 16-34 controlled by an FAA-contracted Air Traffic Control Tower, with a full-length parallel taxiway and connectors. BLI provides a 16.5-hour air traffic control tower and weather service, storage hangars, domestic and international terminal for air carrier use, and serves as an International Port of Entry with U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for non-scheduled corporate and general aviation aircraft. The scheduled air service business component consists of a 105,000 sq. ft. commercial air passenger and cargo terminal with related support facilities. The airport operates on a FY2023 budget of $6,705,731 and employs 22 FTEs, including 14 full-time airport firefighters.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Aviation is responsible for the safe, secure and efficient management of BLI as a customer service oriented public-use facility, and to ensure that it is operated in a business oriented, fiscally responsible and economically competitive manner.

Education & Experience: A bachelor’s degree in business, aviation, or a related field is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience managing airport operations at a commercial and general aviation airport. Previous experience must include experience in airport operations, grant application and administration, and management of complex airport projects. A.A.A.E. Accreditation is strongly preferred. Experience with route development, advisory committee leadership, and tenant and employee relations is preferred.

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on “Open Recruitments”. For questions, call 206-368-0050. The Port of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First review of applications: July 16, 2023 (open until filled).

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