SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ****
JOB TITLE: Police Chief
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Operations & Public Safety
DEPARTMENT: Airport Police (APD)
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Grade: 49
Salary Range: $113,952 - $170,928
Full-time **
** Closing Date: 02/13/2026
JOB SUMMARY
Under delegated supervision, serving as a Department Director, involving the overall command of the Airport's Police Department, focusing on strategic planning, budget management, policy development, personnel supervision, and ensuring law enforcement effectiveness, while fostering collaborative relations to ensure the security of individuals on Airport premises, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, TSA and FAA regulations, and Airport policies.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Directs all departmental activities, sets goals, develops policies, manages budgets, and oversees Staff.
Manages patrol, investigations, traffic, records, emergency management and technology use.
Prepares budgets, controls expenditures, and authorizes purchases.
Selects, trains, supervises, evaluates, and oversees discipline of the Department; collaborates with Human Resources, and Senior Vice President – Operations and Public Safety.
Directs the enforcement and implementation of federal, state, and local security rules, regulations, and procedures regarding vehicular traffic, airline activities, emergency and/or potential emergency situations related to individuals on Airport premises.
Reviews and makes recommendations of subordinate personnel performance appraisals.
Reviews employees' time sheets and expense vouchers; Collaborates with the Finance Department.
Reviews Ground Transportation and Airport Rules and Regulations violations to develop corrective enforcement measures collaborating with Properties and Operations Departments.
Oversees the training of all LEO and TCS personnel, both in-house and at various off-Airport training centers. Maintains accurate records for inspection by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other entities.
Oversees the preparation and analysis of police records and reports. Provides information and makes recommendations regarding departmental activities to the Senior Vice President, Operations and Public Safety.
Coordinates Police Department in-house training activities with the APD Training Officer(s). Participates in police related planning and training activities with both Sarasota and Manatee County Technical Institutes and their respective Criminal Justice Academies.
Acts as the liaison and participates in the development of mutual aid agreements with other Law Enforcement Agencies.
Develops Department directives and assists in the development of Airport Authority directives.
Assists Operations Department in the development of the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) required Airport Bomb Incident Prevention Plan.
Oversees Departmental adherence to Airport Certification, Emergency, and Security Manuals and Programs as directed by TSR Parts 1540 & 1542 and FAR Par 139.
Develops the Airport's Mitigation and Response Plan for Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) in conjunction with TSA and outside law enforcement agencies.
Directs and coordinates the activities of security, operations, and outside agency personnel during emergency situations including but not limited to, hostage situations and arrivals and departures of high-risk passengers.
Collaborates with Operations to interpret existing and new TSA Security Directives, rules and regulations and develops and implements operational programs designed to improve security of individuals, ensure compliance, and/or provide improved services.
Oversees the Airport Lost and Found Program according to Florida State Statutes.
Recommends security and safety improvements throughout Airport grounds.
Effectively collaborates with other department managers, directors, and Senior Leadership Team Members on matters pertaining to security and safety in accordance with SRQ's strategic mission and vision.
Other Related Responsibilities:
Participates in the coordination, preparation, and maintenance of the Airport Emergency Manual.
Participates and coordinates with the Operations and Airport Fire Departments in the FAA annually required table-top disaster exercise and/or tri-annual disaster drill.
Coordinates investigations, surveillance, civil defense exercises, and rescue operations with outside agencies such as FBI, Customs and Border Protection, TSA and other state and local law enforcement agencies.
Prepares narratives for the Senior Vice President, Operations and Public Safety for presentation to SMAA Board.
Fosters working relationships with local heads of law enforcement agencies and other airport police chiefs throughout the State, joins and participates in law enforcement associations
Performs other related duties as required.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Computer, communications equipment, motor vehicles, intrusion alarm system, paging system, firearms and other related police equipment, training materials.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Where "preferred" is indicated, the qualification is not essential.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement or related field.
Five years' experience in Law Enforcement, three of which were in a supervisory capacity.
Experience at a FAR Par 139 Certified Airport, preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification or must obtain within one year from date of hire.
Valid State of Florida Driver's License or must obtain within 30 days from date of hire and must possess a satisfactory driving record
American Red Cross advanced CPR and First Aid Certification, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong leadership, decision making, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Knowledge of TSA, federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to security operations at a small to medium size hub airport, preferred
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of airport security operations, preferred
Knowledge of current law enforcement practices and procedures.
Knowledge of airline operations procedures, practices, security, and medical procedures.
Knowledge of emergency planning and the ability to implement emergency plans.
Knowledge of supervision and management principles and practices.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to analyze situations, identify solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of SRQ goals.
Knowledge of budget preparation and ability to monitor fund allocations.
Knowledge of airport and facilities' design and layout, preferred.
Skills necessary to make decisions to include ability to analyze other than routine situations and apply appropriate security operations while remaining in control, directing staff, and handling "life threatening" situations calmly, efficiently, and effectively.
Skills necessary to develop budgets.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both oral and written.
Ability to train, supervise, and schedule work of subordinate employees.
Ability to explain and tactfully enforce Airport security rules and regulations relating to employees, tenants, and the general public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, fellow employees, and the general public.
Work Environment:
Individual generally works in uniform and handle administrative duties in office setting.
Physical Requirements:
A Police Chief is subject to special risks which may require several intervention approaches ranging from personal counseling techniques to the use of force such as accidents, various misdemeanors and felonies, traffic and crowd problems. The individual must be sufficiently fit to safely perform in a variety of emergency situations.
Mental Requirements:
A Police Chief must be capable of reacting quickly, appropriately, and calmly in non-routine and emergency situations; have the ability to use and care for firearms; must be able to work independently with minimal direct supervision; and must remain courteous and in control while serving and protecting the public.
Environmental Requirements:
The Police Chief works in an office and outdoors in all types of weather conditions. The Police Chief may be exposed to hazardous environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat and gas emissions.
Summary Clause:
The duties and responsibilities listed in this job class specification are intended only as illustrations of the various duties to be performed and are not all inclusive. The omission of other specific duties does not exclude them from being performed by the Police Chief if the duties are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job class specification does not constitute an employment contract between SMAA and the Police Chief and is subject to change at the discretion of the Airport Authority.
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS