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, you’ll find a workplace culture that is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. 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 Security Specialist I is starting at $57,838. The full pay range for Security Specialist I is $49,434-79,094.
- 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, 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: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
- Application Deadline: July 22, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.
About the Job:
The Aviation Security & Public Safety department is looking for an ID Badging & Access Control Specialist with a detail-focused mindset on access control, compliance, and credentialing to support the day-to-day security operations of the airport. This role is responsible for issuing secure airport identification badges, facilitating background checks, maintaining accurate access records, and delivering regulatory training, all in accordance with TSA and airport security guidelines.
This entry-level opportunity offers exposure to the entire airport ecosystem, with daily interaction across our tenants of airlines, vendors, construction teams, and federal agencies. The environment is fast paced but structured, with clear procedures guiding every step of the badging and access control process. While much of the work involves precise data entry and systems management, it’s balanced with in-person customer service and cross-departmental collaboration.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable handling sensitive information, and motivated to learn the complex security framework that keeps our airport running. This is a strong starting point for those interested in a future career in airport operations, compliance, or public safety, building upon highly transferable skills and helping to see how the entire airport fits together. This is more than a desk job—it’s a critical role in protecting secure spaces and ensuring employees can safely do their work.
What You’ll Do:
- Customer service & Communication: Serve as primary point of contact for internal/external clients; respond to inquiries and provide information.
- Credentialing & Compliance: Process background checks, fingerprinting, and training for airport ID badge and access authorization; conduct SIDA and airside driving exams.
- Data Management & Reporting: Perform data entry, maintain records, generate reports, and update files and program documents.
- Program Support & Improvement: Support access control initiatives; implement procedural changes; participate in continuous improvement and regulatory alignment.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with tenants, agencies, and service providers; attend industry meetings; provide regulatory guidance and problem resolution.
- Security Operations & Audits: Issue permits and restricted keys; conduct audits; support enforcement of secure area access requirements.
The Skills You Need:
- Business Process Knowledge — Identifies, documents, and monitors workflows to create effective frameworks for improvement.
- Project Management — Plans and coordinates tasks to meet project goals; ensures efficiency, timelines, and team collaboration.
- Influence — Gains support for ideas, proposals, and initiatives through credibility and effective communication.
- Critical Thinking — Analyzes regulatory, operational, and business needs to develop solutions or alternative practices.
- Problem-Solving & Agility — Adapts to new information, shifting priorities, and unexpected challenges with flexibility.
- Interpersonal & Customer Focus — Communicates clearly across platforms; resolves conflicts, engages stakeholders, and fosters collaboration.
- Knowledge Application — Applies local, state, and federal regulations to processes, drives compliance and continuous improvement.
- Relationship Building — Cultivates strong partnerships by identifying shared goals, solving problems, and championing collaborative efforts.
Requirements
The Experience You Need to Have**:
- Two years of progressively responsible administrative experience, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
- Graduation with a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements :
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Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.
Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
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Ability to communicate and do business effectively in Spanish or Tagalog is highly desirable. Candidates who possess bilingual skills may be eligible for bilingual pay, subject to successfully passing a language proficiency assessment administered by the Authority.
**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.
