Aviation Program Coordinator (Deputy Project Manager)

ESA is seeking an Aviation Program Coordinator (Deputy Project Manager) with 5+ years experience to support day-to-day delivery of aviation and environmental projects for a major airport client. This role is focused on project coordination, schedule and deliverable tracking, client communication, and team integration, while supporting a range of aviation planning, environmental, and sustainability/resilience initiatives.  This is an exempt, full-time, salary role with hybrid expectations, 2-3 days a week in an ESA or client office in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and surrounding airports as needed. This role may involve some travel for site visits, projects, and in-person team collaboration as needed.

Our ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience and brings strong project management, organization, and communication skills. Experience in aviation or environmental consulting is preferred, but not required.  Writing/work samples may be requested as a step in the interview process.

Who You Are 

• You are able to work onsite in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and surrounding airports as needed, hybrid, with 2-3 days a week in an ESA or client office.
• You bring strong project management and coordination skills, including tracking schedules, deliverables, and action items across multiple projects. Self-motivated   and able to work on multiple task assignments simultaneously and prioritize based on project/schedule needs.
• You are comfortable working in a fast-paced, client-facing environment with evolving priorities.
• You are an independent, self-directed problem solver with strong written and verbal communication skills. You are also proactive and highly responsive.
• You are detail-oriented, organized, and reliable, with a strong follow-through mindset.
• An environmental and/or aviation background is preferred, but not required.
• You have a strong interest in the aviation industry and a desire to increase your exposure to airport development programs.
• Enjoy being embedded with a client and acting as a trusted day-to-day point of coordination
• Excel at tracking schedules, action items, budgets, and deliverables
• Are comfortable juggling multiple work streams and helping senior staff stay organized and forward-looking
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, subconsultants, and internal teams
• Are interested in growing into a senior aviation project management role over time

Minimum Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor's or master's degree with major course work in aviation planning/management, environmental or physical/natural sciences, land use management, engineering, or a related field.  
• Must be able to pass a 10-year federal background check required for airport security badging. 
• Highly proficient with MS Office applications. 
• You have experience developing PowerPoint slides and giving verbal presentations. 
• You have strong organization and technical writing skills. 
• You are a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification preferred.

What You Will Do for ESA

• Support day-to-day project delivery for airport clients, potentially serving as an on-site staff extension.
• Track project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and action items across multiple work authorizations.
• Coordinate internal ESA staff and subconsultants to support timely and high-quality delivery of technical work.
• Prepare meeting agendas, notes, action item logs, and project status summaries for clients and internal teams.
• Assist senior project managers with scope tracking, workload planning, and client communications.
• Support preparation of technical memoranda, reports, presentations, and dashboards.
• Participate in client meetings and contribute to maintaining strong, responsive client relationships.
• Balance multiple responsibilities and deadlines while working both independently and as part of a team.
• Support non-aviation projects as needed. 
• Other ad hoc tasks as needed

What’s Special About Our Team

Our Airports Practice is a nationally focused group of aviation planning and environmental specialists supporting complex, high-profile projects across the country. We work as an integrated, multidisciplinary team and place a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and cross-disciplinary coordination. Our clients span the public and private sectors and include airports, airlines, air cargo operators, private developers, state departments of transportation, and the FAA.

To read about some of our exciting projects check out these links: Professional Services for the Florida Department of Transportation’s Aviation Office, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Master Plan Update, and Lakeland Linder International Airport.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.