Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location: This position is located inside the terminals at San Diego International Airport, placing you at the center of airport operations. With direct access to secure areas and daily interaction with employees, airlines, concessionaires, and other aviation partners, you'll be part of the fast-moving environment that keeps the airport running smoothly.
• Salary: The hiring salary for the Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist is starting at $113,842 to $130,918 annually. The full pay range for the Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist is $87,571 to $140,113.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and ensure your future with our retirement plan options, including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, score fitness discounts for every level and goal, give back with volunteer‑time rewards, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
• Application Deadline: May 5, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

As the Senior Airport Badging & Access Specialist, you will play a critical role in safeguarding airport operations by ensuring secure, compliant, and efficient access control across the SAN campus. This position goes far beyond credentialing, you will lead day-to-day access control operations, provide operational guidance to staff, and serve as a key partner with a diverse group of stakeholders.

Success in this role requires sound judgment, the ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations with discretion, and a commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality service. If you are a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, regulated environment and is passionate about accountability and operational excellence, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Do:

• Operations Leadership: Lead and coordinate daily Access Control Office (ACO) operations, including workflow prioritization, workload monitoring, and quality assurance to ensure efficient, consistent, and compliant service delivery.
• Program & Procedures: Support the Airport Security Program (ASP) and develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for access control and credentialing. Issue official communications, train staff, and ensure alignment with TSA regulations and program standards.
• Access & Compliance: Oversee credentialing operations, including ID media, access permissions, vehicle permits, and keys. Administer background checks, maintain records and audit readiness, and ensure compliance with access control requirements 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 with a high level of independence. Provide day-to-day leadership, mentor staff, support audits and investigations, and serve as a key resource for regulatory compliance, including TSA coordination and Designated Aviation Channeler (DAC) responsibilities. Provide guidance and day-to-day direction to staff performing access control and credentialing functions.

The Skills You Need:

1. Business Process Knowledge - Identifies, documents, oversees, and continuously improves access control, credentialing, and security-related processes to ensure efficiency, consistency, audit readiness, and compliance with the Airport Security Program (ASP) and TSA regulations.
2. Project Management Skills - Competently determines processes and workflows to achieve project and operational objectives; prioritizes work, assigns responsibilities, verifies efficiency and collaboration, and ensures timely, accurate completion of tasks in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
3. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Reviews and translates complex operational, regulatory, and business requirements, data, and information to develop defensible decisions, solutions, or alternative approaches; identifies issues and implements timely corrective actions.
4. Knowledge Application - Proficiently interprets and applies current local, state, and federal regulations, including TSA rules and regulations; monitors compliance-driven processes; and develops, implements, and improves frameworks, procedures, and controls to ensure consistent application across staff and stakeholders.
5. Communication & Influence – Communicates effectively across written, verbal, and digital mediums; gains support for ideas and solutions through credibility, clarity, and sound judgment when working with staff, peers, tenants, and external stakeholders.
6. Relationship Management - Builds and maintains effective working relationships with internal departments, airport tenants, airlines, law enforcement partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders; identifies and relates information, ideas, and issues; and champions initiatives based on mutually acceptable, compliant solutions.
7. Operational Leadership & Accountability - Provides lead direction, guidance, and support for Access Control Office operations; may assign work, monitor quality and timeliness, promote accountability for accurate and compliant work, and escalate issues as appropriate; mentors and guides staff performing complex regulatory functions and models professionalism and integrity.
8. Judgment, Discretion & Confidentiality - Exercises a high degree of judgment and discretion when handling sensitive security information, Criminal History Records Checks (CHRC), investigations, and personnel-related matters; maintains strict confidentiality; and represents the Authority and Access Control Office with professionalism and authority.

Requirements

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Associate degree in aviation management, business, public administration, or related field; or
• Six years of progressively responsible experience serving in Airport Security Operations, including demonstrated project lead, lead worker, or supervisory responsibility in a regulatory or compliance-driven environment.
• Experience supervising the operation of an airport access control or credentialing office is preferred.
• Or an 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, including:

o Certified Member (CM)

o Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Security

o Airport Certified Employee (ACE) – Trusted Agent

• Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA):

o Airport Security Professional (USAP)

• Airport security, access control, identity management, or physical security system certifications (e.g., Lenel, AMAG, HID, or similar platforms)

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.

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. In addition, 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 on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.