Airfield Officer

About the role

• This is a unique full-time position looking after aircraft stand allocation, gate planning, and apron management.
• The role is based on a 4 days on / 4 days off roster pattern with 12-hour shifts, designed to give you balance while working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Take your career to new heights with a truly unique career opportunity to join our Airfield Operations Team at Auckland Airport (AKL). As New Zealand’s only airport operating an Apron Tower alongside the Airways Traffic Control Tower, AKL offers you an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the country. 

As an Airfield Officer, you'll play a critical role in managing the safe, efficient, and effective operation of Auckland Airport's airfield and apron environment. Splitting your time between the Apron Operations Tower and the airfield itself, you'll work closely with Air Traffic Control and a wide range of operational stakeholders to ensure aircraft, people, and resources move safely and efficiently across New Zealand's busiest airport.

Working from the Apron Operations Tower, you'll coordinate aircraft stand allocations, gate planning, and aircraft movements across the international and domestic aprons. You'll balance airline schedules, operational constraints, infrastructure availability, and changing conditions in real time to optimise apron capacity and minimise disruption.

You'll engage daily with airlines, ground handlers, Air Traffic Control, engineering teams, emergency services, biosecurity agencies, and other airport stakeholders to support aircraft turnarounds, manage operational impacts, and ensure flights depart safely and on schedule.

No two days are the same. From conducting airfield inspections and responding to operational incidents, to managing disruptions, infrastructure outages, and adverse weather events, you'll make informed decisions in a live operational environment where safety is always the priority.

This role requires exceptional situational awareness, the ability to maintain focus for extended periods, and confidence making decisions under pressure. You'll be responsible for monitoring multiple activities simultaneously, understanding the impact of operational changes, and coordinating solutions that keep the airport running safely and efficiently.

What you'll bring

• Current Full Class 1 driver's license
• 3+ years of aviation experience or a qualification in Aviation.
• Knowledge of CAA Part 139 will be highly valued.
• Good level of written and verbal communication.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow processes and procedures.
• The ability to make good decisions quickly in difficult and high-pressure situations.
• Strong situational awareness and the ability to think ahead in a dynamic operational environment.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of safety and service.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across operational partners.
• Ability and desire to learn the role requirements through classroom training, online learning, and on-the-job training.
• Previous experience in a customer service role and a genuine desire to ensure others have a positive experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.