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Elevate Your Career at GFIAA

Join a team that keeps West Michigan moving on the ground and in the skies.

Authority Opportunities

Benefits

Culture

Values

Jump point: #authorityopportunities

Careers at the Airport Authority

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA) keeps West Michigan’s gateway to the world running smoothly. From maintaining critical infrastructure to ensuring passenger safety, every role supports our mission of providing a world-class experience to every guest that comes through Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA).

Our team includes:

Airfield Operations and Dispatch
Airfield/Facilities Maintenance
Business Development
Engineering and Planning
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing
Public Safety
- Firefighter
- Law Enforcement Officer

Be part of something bigger, help shape the future of GFIA.

Our Team

Meet the dedicated departments working behind the scenes to keep GFIA a world-class airport.

Operations

From monitoring airfield conditions to dispatching emergency services, the Operations and Dispatch team works around the clock to keep the airport safe, efficient, and operational.

Facilities

From HVAC and electrical work to custodial services and repairs, the Facilities team ensures a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all guests.

Police

Our dedicated Airport Police Department provides 24/7 security and emergency response, ensuring the safety of all passengers, employees, and guests.

Field Maintenance

Our Airfield Maintenance team is responsible for maintaining more than 45 vehicles and equipment, including specialized snow removal machines designed for the aviation industry.

Fire

Our Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Department is specially trained to handle aviation emergencies, providing rapid response to aircraft incidents, medical calls, and fire prevention needs.

Administration

The Administration team supports GFIA's strategic vision through Commercial Development, Engineering & Planning, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Marketing & Public Relations. These departments ensure the airport operates efficiently, innovatively, and with a focus on long-term growth.

Jump point: #benefits

Benefits

GFIAA offers competitive benefits designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

Health Insurance

The Authority offers the choice of two medical plans to employees and their families through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, both of which include coverage for prescription drugs.

PPO Plan – Once deductible is met, plan pays 80% of in-network services
High Deductible Plan – Once deductible is met, plan pays 100% of in-network services except for prescription co-pays.

All health benefits begin the first day of the month following hire. Wellness incentive credits are available for those waiving the medical and prescription benefit.

Dental Insurance

The Authority offers comprehensive dental insurance benefits to employees and their families through Delta Dental of Michigan. This coverage includes a wide range of services designed to support long-term oral health, such as diagnostic and preventive care, basic and restorative treatments, major dental procedures and orthodontic services. These benefits help ensure that employees and their dependents have access to quality dental care for both routine and more complex needs.

Vision Insurance

The Authority provides vision insurance through EyeMed to new employees and their families. This coverage includes routine eye exams to support overall eye health. Additionally, the plan helps offset the cost of corrective eyewear by covering a portion of the expenses for prescription glasses or contact lenses, ensuring employees have access to essential vision care.

FSA/HSA Options

The Authority offers employees the option to participate in both health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts through Varipro, allowing them to set aside pre-tax dollar to cover eligible medical and dependent care expenses. In addition, employees who elect the high-deductible health plan have access to a Health Savings Account through HSA Bank, which provides a tax-advantaged way to save and pay for qualified health care costs. These benefits give employees greater flexibility and control in managing their health and family care expenses.

Life Insurance

The Authority provides basic life and AD&D insurance for employees and offers voluntary options for employees and their families.

Holidays

Employees receive 11 paid holidays per year including:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve Day

Paid Leave

The Authority provides a generous time-off and income protection benefits package to support employee well being and work life balance. Employees receive vacation and paid time off to rest, recharge, or attend to personal matters. Vacation accrual begins at the time of hire and PTO will be prorated immediately depending on the month of hire. In addition, the airport offers both short-term and long-term disability coverage to provide financial support in the event of an illness or injury that prevents and employee from working. These benefits help ensure that employees are supported both in their daily lives and during expected challenges.

Employee Retirement Plan

At the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, employees benefit from a strong foundation for long-term financial security through a robust retirement package. All employees automatically participate in a defined contribution retirement plan through the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS), providing a reliable path to building retirement savings. In addition, mandatory participation in a retirement Health Care Savings Plan helps prepare for future medical expenses, ensuring peace of mind in retirement.

For those looking to further strengthen their financial future, the airport also offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide, giving them the flexibility to save even more by contributing pre or post tax dollars.

Wellness Incentives

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport promotes employee health and wellness by offering valuable incentives and resources. Employees are eligible to receive a one-time wellness incentive to help offset medical premium costs by simply completing an annual physical. In addition, those who are non-smokers or actively participate in a smoking cessation program quality for an additional non-smoking incentive.

To further support a healthy lifestyle, the airport offers a discounted membership to the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, making it easier and more affordable for employees to stay active and prioritize their well being.

Jump point: #culture

Our Culture

Building meaningful relationships with our team members and community through education, outreach, and local partnerships.

Working and Growing Together.

At GFIAA, we’re more than just an airport, we’re a team driven by purpose and rooted in community. We foster a workplace culture built on collaboration, inclusivity, and growth, where every employee plays a vital role in our success.

Beyond our campus, we actively engage with West Michigan through outreach programs, local partnerships, and sustainability initiatives that make a lasting impact.

Together, we’re building a world-class airport and a stronger community.

20240601-GRR-Runway_5K(21)-photo-Mary_Bernthal

Jump point: #values

Core Values

At GFIA, our core values—Service, Our People, Achievement through Accountability, and Respect (SOAR)—guide how we work, connect, and grow together as a team.

Service

We deliver exceptional service that ensures a safe and positive experience for all. We play a critical role in connecting our guests to the world. We consider this role a privilege and we know it requires constant focus and unrelenting commitment.

Our People

We act with uncompromising honesty and integrity in everything we do. We rely on, support, and challenge each other. We collaborate, grow through educational, networking, and training opportunities, and support each other’s development. We work hard to attract and retain high-performing people, build a world-class culture, and make GFIAA a place to thrive.

Achievement through Accountability

We achieve results that serve our team, our guests, and our community by accepting responsibility for our words, actions, performance, and business outcomes.

Respect

We believe everyone should be seen, heard, valued, and empowered to succeed. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values a range of ideas and opinions. We embrace others’ differences while recognizing and respecting the unique needs and circumstances of our employees and the people that we serve.

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Elevate Your Career at GFIAA

Careers at the Airport Authority

Our Team

Operations

Facilities

Police

Field Maintenance

Fire

Administration

Benefits

Our Culture

Working and Growing Together.

Core Values

Service

Our People

Achievement through Accountability

Respect

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