Job Description

This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

• Application Opening: 9/28/2026
• Application Deadline:  Apply Immediately.  Application filing will be open at least through 5:00 PM (PDT) on 10/6/2026 and may close any time thereafter.
• Compensation: $149,656 to $190,996 Annually
• Recruitment ID: PBT-0923-166062

Working at SFO:

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the most dynamic and consequential airports in the world, serving as the primary international gateway to Northern California and Silicon Valley. As an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco, SFO welcomes over 54 million guests annually and offers nonstop service to more than 140 destinations worldwide on 50+ airlines.

SFO is far more than a transportation hub. It is a recognized leader in environmental sustainability, equity, arts and culture, and forward-thinking infrastructure. With approximately 1,900 City employees and a broader community of more than 25,000 workers across airlines, concessionaires, and partners, SFO generates significant economic vitality across the Bay Area region.

Our mission is to deliver an airport experience where people and our planet come first. Our core values of Safety and Security, Teamwork, Excellence, Care, and Equity guide everything we do as we build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace where all employees can thrive.

SFO is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. Applicants are considered regardless of race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under applicable law.

Learn more about careers at SFO at flysfo.com , and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , LinkedIn , Bluesky and Threads .

Job Description

Under general direction of the AirTrain Director, this position is responsible for the comprehensive management and administration of all AirTrain safety and security programs in compliance with 49 CFR Part 659 (Rail Fixed Guideway Systems – State Safety Oversight), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) General Order 164-B, and the AirTrain Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).

The position serves as the primary liaison with internal Airport departments and external agencies, including Airport Safety and Health, Aviation Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Rail Operations and Regulatory Commission (ROAR), to ensure continuous awareness of changes to state and federal safety and security regulations. This position is responsible for integrating all applicable regulatory updates into the AirTrain PTASP and related operating procedures.

Through the execution of ongoing audits, inspections, and procedural reviews, this role ensures that AirTrain operations and maintenance activities are conducted in full accordance with established rules, standards, and regulatory requirements. The position is also responsible for investigating, documenting, and formally reporting all safety and security incidents or violations to the CPUC, as required by the PTASP, CPUC General Order 164-B, and other applicable regulations.

In coordination with local, state, and federal emergency response agencies, the position develops, maintains, and exercises emergency preparedness and response strategies, including the planning and execution of tabletop and full-scale emergency exercises.

As a key member of the AirTrain management team, this position contributes to daily system oversight by monitoring operational performance, identifying emerging risks or deficiencies, and initiating appropriate corrective actions to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant system operations.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Plan, develop, implement, and administer AirTrain safety and security programs in compliance with 49 CFR Part 659, CPUC General Order 164-B, and the AirTrain Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
2. Work with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and other safety and security agencies to keep abreast of changes in state and federal regulations impacting the AirTrain. Identify and analyze corrective actions that must be incorporated into the AirTrain PTASP.
3. Maintain, update, and ensure implementation of the AirTrain PTASP and related safety and security policies, procedures, and manuals.
4. Monitor changes in federal and state safety and security regulations and ensure timely incorporation into AirTrain programs and operating practices.
5. Serve as the primary liaison with internal Airport departments and external agencies, including Airport Safety and Health, Aviation Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the CPUC, and the Rail Operations and Regulatory Commission (ROAR).
6. Conduct and oversee safety and security audits, inspections, investigations, and procedural reviews to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards.
7. Investigate safety and security incidents, hazards, and rule violations; prepare required documentation; and submit formal reports to the CPUC and other regulatory agencies as required.
8. Develop, coordinate, and evaluate emergency preparedness and response plans in collaboration with emergency response agencies.
9. Plan, conduct, and evaluate tabletop and full-scale emergency exercises and drills.
10. Monitor daily AirTrain operational performance from a safety and security perspective and initiate corrective actions when unsafe or non-compliant conditions are identified.
11. Participate as a member of the AirTrain management team, providing safety and security expertise in operational decision-making and system planning.
12. Provide on call duty 24/7 and represents the AirTrain Director during emergencies which occur after normal working hours, including holidays and weekends.
13. Assist AirTrain Director in other projects as required.
14. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

 

Qualifications

• Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. AND
• Experience: Four (4) years of professional level experience in transit operations administration, and/or transit safety and security management.

Education Substitution : Additional qualifying experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to the maximum of 2 years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.

Desirable

Qualifications

The stated desirable

qualifications

may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred to hiring.

1. Experience in rail transit, automated people mover (APM), or airport transportation systems, including familiarity with guideway operations, vehicle systems, and integrated station environments.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of rail and transit safety regulatory frameworks, including Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements, 49 CFR Part 673, 49 CFR Part 659, and applicable state oversight programs such as California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) General Order 164-B.
3. Experience developing, implementing, or managing a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) or similar safety management framework.
4. Working knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) principles, including hazard identification, risk assessment, safety assurance, and safety promotion.
5. Experience coordinating safety investigations and root cause analyses related to operational incidents, equipment failures, or infrastructure conditions.
6. Familiarity with transit or rail security practices, including coordination with airport security, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management partners.
7. Experience developing safety procedures, operating rules, and compliance programs within a complex operational environment.
8. Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, regulatory agencies, and external contractors.
9. Experience supporting large-scale transportation operations within an airport or similarly complex environment, where safety, reliability, and passenger service are critical.
10. Professional certifications in safety or security disciplines, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Transit Safety & Security Program (TSSP), or similar credentials.
11. Experience supervising professional staff members.

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum

qualifications

as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on  Employment Application and Minimum

Qualifications

and  Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

One year full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40 hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Nature of Work

Position may require work hours outside of the normal Monday – Friday schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays depending on operational, maintenance, audit, and emergency incidents needs. Individual will be on call for all operational issues outside of normal working hours.

Work locations include office and field environments, including rail right-of-way, stations, maintenance facilities, and emergency response locations.

Verification
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at  Verification of Experience and/or Education

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum

qualifications

must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum

qualifications

.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation (Weight: 100%)

Candidates who meet the minimum

qualifications

will be sent a Supplemental Questionnaire (Behavioral Consistency Questionnaires). The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. All candidates’ responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are subject to verification. All relevant experience, education and/or training must be included in the responses in order to be reviewed in the rating process.

 A passing score on the Supplemental Questionnaire must be achieved in order to be placed/ranked on the eligible list. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score.

Note: Only those applicants meeting the minimum

qualifications

will be notified of the exact date, for the examinations. Applicants who meet the minimum

qualifications

are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Clearance:  Candidates for employment with the San Francisco Airport Commission are required to undergo a criminal history record check, including FBI fingerprints, and Security Threat Assessment in order to determine eligibility for security clearance and may be required to undergo drug/alcohol screening. Per Civil Service Commission Rule Section 110.9.1, every applicant for an examination must possess and maintain the

qualifications

required by law and by the examination announcement for the examination. Failure to obtain and maintain security clearance may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission.

Customs Clearance: This position requires that the incumbent be qualified for unescorted access to the San Francisco International Airport U.S. Customs Security Area. An application for a U.S. Custom Access Seal may be submitted to Customs ONLY after employment has commenced. Employment in this position requires that the incumbent submit an application for, successfully acquire and maintain a Customs Access Seal. Per Civil Service Commission Rule 110.9.1, every applicant must possess and maintain the

qualifications

required by law and by the examination announcement for this examination. Failure to acquire or maintain customs access, a requirement for this position, may be basis for termination from employment with the Airport Commission. Customs Access Seal requirements and procedures are located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19, Part 122, Sections 181 or 189 .

Additional Information

Eligible List/Score Report:  A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be  six months , and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

To find Departments which use this classification, please see 

Certification:

The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be  Rule of The List . The hiring department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures prior to making final hiring decisions.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at  .

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum

qualifications

and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information

Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from  notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.  Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. 

Visit and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Recruiter Information : If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Recruiter Vicky Lei at vicky.lei@flysfo.com.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Job Tags

Full time, For contractors, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start, Worldwide, Monday to Friday, Afternoon shift

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