Ground lighting officer

Description

Ground lighting officers carry out the inspection and maintenance of airports’ lighting systems. They record their findings and formulate the actions to be followed.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to ground lighting officer:

airport ground lighting engineer
airfield ground lighting engineer
airfield lighting officer
leader of airport lighting team
airport lighting officer
airport lighting supervisor
airfield ground lighting officer
ground lighting engineer
airport lighting team leader
airport lighting team manager

Minimum qualifications

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a ground lighting officer.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Ground lighting officer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Ground lighting officer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to ground lighting officer.

aircraft cargo operations coordinator
aircraft marshaller
baggage flow supervisor
tool pusher
aircraft dispatcher

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of ground lighting officer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of ground lighting officer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aeronautical information service officer
private pilot
airport maintenance technician
aeronautical information specialist
flight operations officer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of ground lighting officer.

  • Differentiate between airfield lighting: Identify the differences between various types of airfield lighting e.g. incandescent lighting and LED.
  • Electrical engineering: Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.
  • Airport lighting equipment: Know various types of lighting systems and airport lighting equipment e.g. low-intensity runway light (LIRL) systems, medium-intensity runway light (MIRL) and high-intensity runway light (HIRL).
  • Electrical wiring plans: Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It givesย information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device.ย A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of ground lighting officer.

  • Exert a goal-oriented leadership role towards colleagues: Embrace a leadership role in the organisation and with colleagues as to provide coaching and direction to subordinates aiming at the achievement of specific objectives.
  • Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
  • Ensure functionality of airport lighting systems: Ensure that the airport lighting installations and lighting systems work properly by performing quality checks following the completion of maintenance, and by instructing staff on the diagnosis of flaws or breakdowns in airport lighting system. Keep and follow the airport light maintenance schedule to ensure service standards and perform routine checks according to the type of equipment, its location, and usage.
  • Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
  • Train staff in safety procedures: Educate and train team members in the safety procedures relevant to the mission of the team.
  • Work in an aviation team: Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.
  • Train staff in quality procedures: Educate and train team members in the quality procedures related to the mission of the team.
  • Follow airport safety procedures: Comply with airport safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of passengers.
  • Make independent operating decisions: Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
  • Produce airport lighting system reports: Produce operational reports on inspection and intervention of airport lighting systems. Transmit reports to the airport operational department and ATC.
  • Supervise routine maintenance of airport lighting systems: Supervise routine maintenance tasks for airport lighting systems: replace components such as lamps and lenses, clean filters, cut the grass, remove snow, etc.
  • Manage risk of lighting failure: Identify and resolve lighting issues and reduce the risk of lighting failure.
  • Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
  • Develop work plans to solve problems: Ability to develop specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish work.
  • Apply airport standards and regulations: Know and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.
  • Lead inspections: Lead inspections and the protocol involved, such as introducing the inspection team, explaining the purpose of the inspection, performing the inspection, requesting documents, asking appropriate questions, and maintaining a high level of professionalism when investigating subjects.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ground lighting officer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Cartography: The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications.ย 

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ground lighting officer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Design customised maps: Design maps taking into account the customer’s specifications and requirements.
  • Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
  • Identify airport safety hazards: Spot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.

ISCO group and title

7412 – Electrical mechanics and fitters


References
  1. Ground lighting officer – ESCO
Last updated on October 9, 2022

Discuss this topic in our forum

Found this article helpful? Have additional insights or questions about this job description? Join the discussion in our dedicated forum and share your thoughts with the community. Our forum is a great place to connect with others in your field, ask questions, and continue the conversation.