Airport Planner

Compensation Grade: S22 Salary Range: $-$ Opening Date:
May 15, 2026 Closing Date:

Please Note:

All job announcements close at 11:59 p.m. of the day before the posted closing date.

As an Airport Planner for the Airports Authority, you will provide advanced technical expertise and direction for near-, mid-, and long-term airport and transportation planning initiatives for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles Toll Road (DTR), and the Dulles International Airport Access Highway. You will perform advanced evaluation and analysis of land use proposals, airspace impacts, airport compatibility, and airport development initiatives to ensure compatibility with airport operations, navigable airspace, safety surfaces, and long-term airport capacity.

Leading coordination with federal, state, regional, and local agencies, municipalities, and community stakeholders regarding airport planning and development initiatives. Performs related functions. Serves in the Planning Department of the Office of Engineering at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

• Conducts and prepares airspace planning and analysis considering critical navigational surfaces such as FAR Part 77, Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS), One-Engine Inoperative (OEI), obstacle-free areas and zones, runway protection zones, runway safety areas, and other critical navigational surfaces.
• Conduct planning studies that identify scope, schedule, and cost based on stakeholder requirements. Studies include airfields and the evaluation of various facilities such as buildings, concourses, airfields, roads, parking, rental cars, utility plants, and other support facilities.
• Provides technical advice and project management for the preparation and updating of Master Plans, Airport Layout Plans, and comprehensive planning studies and reports.
• Provides technical analysis and advice regarding airfield issues such as FAA airfield planning and design standards, Aircraft Design Group, runway/taxiway/taxi lane design standards, apron layouts, and airfield geometry.
• Subject matter expert regarding A/C 150/5300
  - Airport Design.
• Translates general goals, plans, and concepts of the Master Plan for the modernization and improvement of DCA and IAD into specific programs and concept design guidelines and requirements.
• Develops policy recommendations, from both engineering and comprehensive planning perspectives, for the operation and master planning of DCA and IAD, and predesign data for Capital Construction Program (CCP) projects.
• Collects, analyzes, and interprets data for use in formulating plans.
• Uses computer simulations to analyze passenger, vehicle, and aircraft activity patterns.
• Prepares site development standards for consultants and reviews studies, planning projects, site plans, and program statements to ensure conformity with the Airport Authority plans.
• Uses aircraft activity and passenger forecasts, cost and revenue projections, customer needs, and marketing information to determine project feasibility and desirability.
• Annually prepares and reviews the Airports Authority’s proposed budgets for the Capital Construction Program (CCP) and Capital Operating and Maintenance Investment Program (COMIP).
• Recommends future projects and ensures compatibility with plans.
• Represents facility engineering in developing the Planning Department’s Work Plan and annual budget for studies and CCP and COMIP projects.
• Works with inter-jurisdictional partners regarding land use planning, airport compatibility planning, and aerotropolis initiatives.
• Evaluates county/city development proposals for compatibility with airport operations, navigable airspace, safety surfaces, and long-term airport capacity.
• Coordinates with local governments, planning agencies, and community stakeholders and attends public meetings as a representative of the Airports Authority.
• Monitors and advises on issues related to the airport’s roadways, including public and commercial curbs, based on forecast ground transportation traffic. Issues include capacity,…