Airport Environmental Assistant

The Durango-La Plata County Airport is on the lookout for an Airport Environmental Assistant to join our team! In this entry-level role,* you’ll be at the forefront of our environmental stewardship efforts, collaborating closely with the Utilities and Environmental Manager. Your daily tasks will include maintaining our water and wastewater treatment systems, managing wildlife interactions, preventing storm water pollution, and assisting with fuel storage—all while ensuring our operations comply with federal and state regulations.

We are committed to your development and offer clear paths for advancement within our Airport Environmental Department. We’ll facilitate your water treatment, distribution, and wastewater collection certification while providing hands-on experience that blends environmental management with technical support and essential maintenance tasks.

*A salary adjustment will be made for certified and experienced applicants. Preferred certifications: Class D Water Treatment Certification, Class D Wastewater Certification, Class 1 Distribution Certification, and Class 1 Collection Certification.

What You’ll Do in This Role: 

• Operate and maintain the airport’s water and wastewater treatment facilities, including regular testing, calibration, and documentation of all equipment and preventative maintenance.
• Perform environmental sampling and analysis for water, soil, and sediment in compliance with state and federal regulations, and document all activities in field logs or field data sheets.
• Conduct wildlife hazard assessments and management, including strike identification, population monitoring, and reporting to federal and state authorities.
• Implement stormwater pollution prevention measures and assist in the management and cleanup of hazardous material spills in alignment with environmental safety guidelines.
• Assist in fuel inventory control and the safe storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
• Operate necessary equipment for environmental management duties, including vehicles for snow removal, runway maintenance, and wildlife mitigation, as well as sampling and analysis equipment such as pumps, soil augers, and more.

You Have: 

• Equivalent to completion of high school or GED.
• Prior experience with water/wastewater systems, airport operations, wildlife management, or environmental policy preferred
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection equipment and lab analysis.
• Experience operating chemical injection equipment, pumps, and metering equipment.
• General computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office suite.
• Skill in reading, understanding, and interpreting documents such as regulations and maintenance instructions, procedures, etc.
• A clear record to pass a background check for working in a TSA-secured area.

What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Ample personal time off (PTO) and 11 paid holidays  
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan  
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage  
• Long-term disability coverage
• Paid FMLA
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area
• Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being
• Free transit pass and family member discounts  
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning  
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations

Belong at the City of Durango:
The City of Durango believes in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.

The City is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, projective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.