Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego, CA, United States
About the Job
As the Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist, you will safeguard airport operations by ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient access control across the SAN campus. The role includes leading day‑to‑day access control operations, providing operational guidance to staff, and partnering with diverse stakeholders.
What You’ll Do
Operations Leadership:
Lead and coordinate daily Access Control Office (ACO) operations, prioritize workflows, monitor workload, and ensure quality for efficient, consistent, compliant service.
Program & Procedures:
Support the Airport Security Program (ASP) and create, implement, and maintain SOPs for access control and credentialing; issue communications, train staff, and align with TSA regulations and program standards.
Access & Compliance:
Oversee credentialing operations—ID media, access permissions, vehicle permits, keys; administer background checks, maintain records, ensure audit readiness, and meet compliance for restricted areas.
Training & Investigations:
Coordinate security training programs (e.g., SIDA, airside driving) and lead or support investigations into security incidents, ensuring proper documentation, corrective actions, and regulatory adherence.
Reporting & Coordination:
Support reporting and program activities, including access‑related data, financial processes, and collaboration with internal teams, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
Senior Responsibilities:
Perform complex and sensitive security functions independently. Mentor staff, lead audits and investigations, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and provide guidance for TSA coordination and DAC responsibilities.
The Skills You Need
Business Process Knowledge
– Identify, document, and continuously improve access control, credentialing, and security processes for audit readiness and compliance with ASP and TSA regulations.
Project Management Skills
– Define processes and workflows to meet objectives; prioritize work, assign responsibilities, verify efficiency, and ensure timely, accurate completion in a regulated environment.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
– Translate complex operational, regulatory, and business requirements into defensible decisions; identify issues and implement corrective actions.
Knowledge Application
– Interpret and apply local, state, and federal regulations, including TSA rules; monitor compliance and develop frameworks, procedures, and controls.
Communication & Influence
– Communicate effectively across written, verbal, and digital mediums; gain support for ideas and solutions through credibility and sound judgment.
Relationship Management
– Build and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, airport tenants, airlines, law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
Operational Leadership & Accountability
– Direct Access Control Office operations, assign tasks, monitor quality, promote accountability, and mentor staff performing complex regulatory functions.
Judgment, Discretion & Confidentiality
– Exercise high judgment and discretion on sensitive security information and investigations; maintain strict confidentiality and represent authority professionally.
The Experience You Need to Have
Associate degree in aviation management, business, public administration, or related field; or
Six years of progressively responsible experience in Airport Security Operations, demonstrating project leadership, supervisory responsibility, or similar in a regulatory or compliance‑driven environment.
Experience supervising the operation of an airport access control or credentialing office is preferred.
Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements
Successful completion of a fingerprint‑based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio, and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, business, public administration, criminal justice, homeland security, or related field.
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) certifications: Certified Member (CM), Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Security, Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Trusted Agent.
Airports Council International – North America (ACI‑NA) certification: Airport Security Professional (USAP).
Certifications in airport security, access control, identity management, or physical security systems (e.g., Lenel, AMAG, HID, or similar platforms).
Benefits
Location: Inside the terminals of San Diego International Airport with direct access to secure areas.
Salary: Starting at $113,842 – $130,918 annually (full range $87,571 – $140,113).
Benefits: 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation, parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, retirement plan options (pension, 457), employer‑funded Lifestyle Spending Account.
Wellness: On‑site gyms, outdoor workspaces, fitness discounts, volunteer‑time rewards, financial wellness advisors, scenic walking trails.
Application Deadline: May 5 , 2026.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated individually and depends on specific job requirements and disability limitations. Accommodations can be requested during recruitment.
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As the Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist, you will safeguard airport operations by ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient access control across the SAN campus. The role includes leading day‑to‑day access control operations, providing operational guidance to staff, and partnering with diverse stakeholders.
What You’ll Do
Operations Leadership:
Lead and coordinate daily Access Control Office (ACO) operations, prioritize workflows, monitor workload, and ensure quality for efficient, consistent, compliant service.
Program & Procedures:
Support the Airport Security Program (ASP) and create, implement, and maintain SOPs for access control and credentialing; issue communications, train staff, and align with TSA regulations and program standards.
Access & Compliance:
Oversee credentialing operations—ID media, access permissions, vehicle permits, keys; administer background checks, maintain records, ensure audit readiness, and meet compliance for restricted areas.
Training & Investigations:
Coordinate security training programs (e.g., SIDA, airside driving) and lead or support investigations into security incidents, ensuring proper documentation, corrective actions, and regulatory adherence.
Reporting & Coordination:
Support reporting and program activities, including access‑related data, financial processes, and collaboration with internal teams, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
Senior Responsibilities:
Perform complex and sensitive security functions independently. Mentor staff, lead audits and investigations, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and provide guidance for TSA coordination and DAC responsibilities.
The Skills You Need
Business Process Knowledge
– Identify, document, and continuously improve access control, credentialing, and security processes for audit readiness and compliance with ASP and TSA regulations.
Project Management Skills
– Define processes and workflows to meet objectives; prioritize work, assign responsibilities, verify efficiency, and ensure timely, accurate completion in a regulated environment.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
– Translate complex operational, regulatory, and business requirements into defensible decisions; identify issues and implement corrective actions.
Knowledge Application
– Interpret and apply local, state, and federal regulations, including TSA rules; monitor compliance and develop frameworks, procedures, and controls.
Communication & Influence
– Communicate effectively across written, verbal, and digital mediums; gain support for ideas and solutions through credibility and sound judgment.
Relationship Management
– Build and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, airport tenants, airlines, law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
Operational Leadership & Accountability
– Direct Access Control Office operations, assign tasks, monitor quality, promote accountability, and mentor staff performing complex regulatory functions.
Judgment, Discretion & Confidentiality
– Exercise high judgment and discretion on sensitive security information and investigations; maintain strict confidentiality and represent authority professionally.
The Experience You Need to Have
Associate degree in aviation management, business, public administration, or related field; or
Six years of progressively responsible experience in Airport Security Operations, demonstrating project leadership, supervisory responsibility, or similar in a regulatory or compliance‑driven environment.
Experience supervising the operation of an airport access control or credentialing office is preferred.
Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements
Successful completion of a fingerprint‑based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio, and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in aviation management, business, public administration, criminal justice, homeland security, or related field.
American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) certifications: Certified Member (CM), Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Security, Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Trusted Agent.
Airports Council International – North America (ACI‑NA) certification: Airport Security Professional (USAP).
Certifications in airport security, access control, identity management, or physical security systems (e.g., Lenel, AMAG, HID, or similar platforms).
Benefits
Location: Inside the terminals of San Diego International Airport with direct access to secure areas.
Salary: Starting at $113,842 – $130,918 annually (full range $87,571 – $140,113).
Benefits: 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation, parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, retirement plan options (pension, 457), employer‑funded Lifestyle Spending Account.
Wellness: On‑site gyms, outdoor workspaces, fitness discounts, volunteer‑time rewards, financial wellness advisors, scenic walking trails.
Application Deadline: May 5 , 2026.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated individually and depends on specific job requirements and disability limitations. Accommodations can be requested during recruitment.
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