The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Authority Law Enforcement Department in the desirable capital city of Raleigh, NC, seeks an experienced and servant-minded law enforcement leader to serve as its Major. This position ensures the safety and security of all airport and TSA employees, vendors, and passengers by establishing a robust, customer service-oriented law enforcement culture that is undergirded by consistency in RDU branding, messaging, training, impartial enforcement of policy and procedure/rules and regulations, and a cohesive collaboration between Patrol Officers, Security Officers, and Checkpoint Officers.

The ideal candidate for this position is a change agent – one who has a history of successfully motivating, encouraging, and inspiring a team of law enforcement personnel through changes and growth. The Major will support the Chief in implementing many departmental changes including an organizational restructure while navigating the demands of daily operations and ensuring safety for all. The Major is an analytical yet swift problem solver who utilizes data in decision-making and handles complex situations with diplomacy and tact.

The Chief seeks a professional who has an understanding and awareness of the culture of an airport law enforcement department including the high level of federal regulations and who will demonstrate a commitment to the high level of quality customer service that the department is known for. As a natural collaborator, the next Major demonstrates the dignity and worth of others through their interactions and is highly effective in interacting with various stakeholders including peer leaders, personnel, federal, state, and local agencies, and Airport Authority leaders.

About the Organization: The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939. The cities of Durham and Raleigh along with Durham and Wake counties each appoint two members to the board. The Airport Authority is a local government responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of RDU. The Authority is committed to delivering a world-class airport experience through excellent airport services, facilities, and unparalleled customer service.

Since 1938, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has played a central role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region. With 14 airlines, RDU offers flights to a multitude of nonstop destinations on 175+ daily departures. In addition to an in-house law enforcement department, the Authority also has a Fire-Rescue Department under the leadership of a Chief, with a deputy fire chief, captain, lieutenant, and three fire engineers on duty 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. Additionally, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority works closely with a number of federal agencies that have a presence at Raleigh-Durham International Airport including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). RDU is a participating airport in the U.S. CBP’s Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network. This program allows U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and pre-approved citizens of Mexico and the Netherlands an opportunity to use an automated kiosk to bypass the standard passport screening lines, thereby reducing wait times.

About the Department and Position: The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Law Enforcement Department (RDULE) is a fully accredited North Carolina law enforcement agency. RDULE is responsible for ensuring visitors to Raleigh-Durham International Airport have a safe travel experience. The agency’s jurisdiction extends beyond the airport’s terminals and includes all of the Authority’s 5,000 acres of property including sections of major roadways around the airport. The RDU Law Enforcement Department includes a staff of 70+ full and part-time officers and support employees that perform a range of functions including foot and vehicle patrols, investigations, lost-and-found, special operations, traffic duties, community policing and more. RDULE is headquartered in the Airport Operations Center with remote offices in each terminal. The department also includes training facilities located on airport grounds.

The department’s Major reports to the Police Chief and oversees department personnel who engage with RDULE customers in the field at the point-of-sale. The Major is tasked with managing the department’s Patrol Section primarily through subordinate supervisors, i.e., four Patrol Lieutenants (Watch Commanders) and the TSA Checkpoint Operations Lieutenant. The Major, who is second in command in the department, must act as Police Chief during the Chief’s absence. This office-based position is located on the grounds of the airport property with work occasional work off-site at emergency scenes during or outside the normal work week schedule.
The staff and officers of RDULE are well respected by airport employees and known for their swift response to issues reported from the operations center. Law Enforcement personnel are highly skilled and successful in adaptability and de-escalation tactics. The Major will uphold the reputation of the department and further lead the department towards excellence while embracing and nurturing the Authority’s Core Values.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field and 15 years of total Law Enforcement experience including 5 years in law enforcement management at the rank of Lieutenant or higher is required. Candidates with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field with 20 years of total Law Enforcement experience including 5 years as a patrol officer are preferred. NC Advanced Law Enforcement Certification is required. The following licenses/certifications are preferred: Administrative Officers Management Program Certificate (AOMP); FBI National Academy Graduate (FBINA); Southern Police Institute Graduate (SPI); Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute for Police Graduate (SMIP). Must have a valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid NC driver’s license within 60 days of relocating to NC. Experience working in an airport environment preferred. For information regarding out-of-state transfers, please refer to the full job ad via the link below.

Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for this position is $104,000 - $136,000 annually. Starting salary will depend on experience and qualifications. The RDU International Airport provides an excellent benefits package.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Law Enforcement Major – RDU International Airport title. To learn more about the selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/, select “Client Openings” and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.” All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal – NOT the Airport Authority Employment Application portal, nor any other external website; it is not sufficient to send only a resume - resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application. Applicants must apply by May 13th, 2023. Successful semi-finalists will be invited to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation on June 12-13, 2023. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate. All inquiries should be emailed to hiring@developmentalassociates.com. The RDU International Airport is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The recruitment and selection process is being managed by Developmental Associates, LLC.