Airport Manager

Job Summary

The City of Salem is hiring an Airport Manager for Salem-Willamette Valley Airport!

About Salem-Willamette Valley Airport

Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, also known as McNary Field, named after U.S. Senator Charles McNary, is located two miles southeast of downtown Salem, Oregon, and is near the junction of Interstate 5 and State Highway 22. The airport is owned by the City of Salem and is part of the Salem Public Works Department. The airport encompasses 751 acres, with another 70 acres of industrial land located nearby. The airport has two runways, the primary being 5,811 feet long and 150 feet wide, and the secondary runway being 5,145 feet long and 100 feet wide. The airport has a passenger terminal building, an on-site museum, airfield-view restaurant, full-service fixed base operator, 130 aircraft hangars, and several on-airport businesses. The airport also includes an Oregon Army National Guard Aviation facility. A seven-member Airport Advisory Committee advises City Council and airport staff on airport rules and policies. Most recently, the airport was served by Avelo Airlines to three destination cities from October 2023 to August 2025, carrying nearly 90,000 passengers in 820 flight operations. Total 2025 annual airfield operations exceeded 44,000 takeoffs/landings. The Airport has 7.5 total staff and a FY26 annual operating budget of $3.6 million.

Make An Impact

The Salem-Willamette Valley Airport is poised for significant growth re-establishing commercial air service, enhancing corporate aviation opportunities, expanding aviation-related businesses, and supporting general aviation facilities and operations. The City of Salem, Oregon, is looking for an energetic, experienced airport manager to develop a vision for its Salem-Willamette Valley Airport and lead it into the future. If you love the aviation industry and are ready to take a successful airport upward to the next level, this is an opportunity for you to explore.

What You Will Do

The Airport Manager will lead an experienced team of 7.5 staff that operates a Part 139 airport capable of operating commercial passenger air service, corporate, military, and general aviation activities. Specifically:

• Lead a team of 7.5 airport staff, including performing hiring, evaluation, coaching, disciplinary, and training duties,
• Ensure that the airfield meets all FAA safety, operational, and reporting requirements,
• Ensure that the airfield and terminal meet all TSA security requirements for commercial passenger air service, including keeping an updated Airport Security Plan,
• Ensure that all airport facilities, surfaces, lighting, drainage, fences, parking, and landscaping are properly maintained,
• Compile an annual airport budget, track revenues and expenditures, plan capital purchases, and develop revenue sources for the airport fund,
• Manage ground and facility leases for aircraft hangars and airport businesses, including assisting in the development of leasable properties within the airport property,
• Work with consultants to update plans, conduct studies, and develop capital construction and maintenance projects for the airport, including maintaining an FAA-approved 5-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and completing grant applications, agreements, and associated documentation,
• Staff the seven-member Airport Advisory Commission, write City Council staff reports, make presentations to advisory and decision-making bodies, and work closely with community stakeholders,
• Develop a vision and brand for Salem-Willamette Valley Airport, including updating its Strategic Business Plan and working to market and promote the airport as a tool for economic development.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family,
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies,
• Competitive pay,
• 6% City-paid PERS pick-up (including IAP deferral)
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account,
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts,
• Voluntary long-term care,
• Employee wellness program,
• Employee assistance program,
• Employee health clinic,
• A flexible schedule may be available based on manager approval, normal working hours are Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Occasionally, work may be required outside of normal working hours. A remote work option is available one day per week, with manager approval.

The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have, or can obtain, an Oregon Driver license and a driving record that meets the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Must be able to obtain highest-level TSA security access badge for an airport.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Aviation Business, Aviation Management, Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration or a related field. An associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with a certificate in Aviation Business or Management is acceptable.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional managerial experience, including at least one year of experience as an airport manager, that includes managing multiple work units with subordinate supervisory staff, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the examples of work. Master's degree is highly preferred and may substitute for three years of progressively responsible managerial experience.

Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Preferred Qualifications (not Required To Apply)

• Experience as a pilot, civilian or military.
• Experience working in a leadership position at an airport that operates commercial passenger air service.

What You Will Bring Along

• Knowledge and experience working with the FAA and TSA on operational, regulatory, security, planning, projects, and funding issues,
• Ability to inspect terminal facilities and airfield surfaces, and perform required safety audits, including issuing and managing leases,
• Ability to inspect leased aircraft hangars for compliance with FAA regulations and lease requirements,
• Ability to communicate via two-way radio with the air traffic control tower and other operational vehicles, using proper radio procedures and nomenclature,
• Knowledge and understanding of how aircraft and vehicles safely maneuver and travel within the airfield, including terminal ramp and airport perimeter security measures and requirements,
• Knowledge and understanding of how aircraft safely taxi, take-off, approach, and land at an airport, including understanding all types of applicable navigational aids, lighting, signs, and equipment,
• Knowledge and understanding of how emergency plans are developed and implemented at an airport, along with ARFF operations and requirements,
• Knowledge and understanding of how to work with commercial air carrier operations, including ticketing/gate operations, ground handling, baggage handling, and other related operations,
• Managerial skills that include budgeting, contracts, managing personnel, managing projects, writing reports, making presentations, and working with community, advisory, and decision-making bodies.

About Us

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon, located in the heart Willamette Valley, and is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 180,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A Full-service City, Salem Has Eight Primary Departments

Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development Department . Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The city has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members. The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?

Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Manager III .

How can I apply?

The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs .