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Aerodromes Expert / Ground Handling Expert

Type of Selection:  Internal and External
Contract Type:  Temporary agent
Grade:  AD05
Deadline for application:  12/08/2026 at 23:59 CET
Experience Level:  Professional
Approx. number of candidates on reserve list:  5
Location:  Cologne, Germany
Monthly gross compensation (€):  6,152.64 - 6,411.17

Our employees are our most valuable asset. We therefore offer a wide range of benefits.

 

EASA is the leading aviation authority in Europe. A career at EASA means contributing to our vision for an ever safer and greener civil aviation. As an EASA employee, you will be making a difference to the lives of about 500 million fellow Europeans: this is our shared purpose and it could be yours, too. From our headquarters in Cologne, Germany, you will work with top experts in a multicultural work environment. Diversity and Inclusion are part of our DNA and innovation is at the heart of what we do. We ensure that aviation is safe in all phases: beginning with the certification of the aircraft to the rules for the air operation and crew. For more information about the Agency please consult our website and take a look at our organisation structure. Are you interested to contribute to our mission? Then see below what it takes to accomplish the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination. To further enhance the diversity of our workforce, we particularly encourage applications from female candidates. 

Job Overview

As Aerodromes Expert you will lead standardisation inspections as standardisation team leader, evaluate regulatory compliance, identify deficiencies, and oversee Member State safety performance per Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and 628/2013.

As Ground Handling Expert you will lead regulatory developments, support implementation and develop new standardisation activities in the domain of ground handling. 

General Accountabilities

  • Provide domain expertise on aviation safety and regulatory compliance
  • Monitor technological developments and emerging trends in the domain
  • Prepare technical reports and documentation
  • Represent EASA at events and international fora.
  • Provide implementation feedback and expert input for relevant EASA activities (e.g. standardisation, rulemaking, flexibility provisions and safety risk management

Specific Accountabilities

As Aerodromes Expert you will:

  • Lead standardisation teams and act as the team’s spokesperson vis-à-vis Member States.*
  • Evaluate Member States’ regulatory compliance, identifying deficiencies, reporting, and documenting progress on corrective actions.
  • Prepare, conduct, report, and follow-up standardisation inspections in accordance with the relevant procedures and work instructions.

 

As Ground Handling Expert you will:

  • Provide expert advice on ground handling to industry and Member State stakeholders.
  • Lead the development and implementation of standardisation activities in the domain of ground handling to monitor continuously how Member States discharge their safety oversight obligations in accordance with the relevant procedures and work instructions.
  • Manage rulemaking or implementation support tasks stipulated in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) in line with the applicable EASA procedures and related work instructions.

*Note: frequent travel in EASA Member States is required to perform standardisation activities.

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role and for being admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications, will be excluded from the selection:

  • Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English*.
  • Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • Completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma in relevant subjects in scope of the profile. 
  • After obtaining the university degree, at least two (2) years of professional experience acquired in relevant areas of aerodromes or ground handling activities substantiated with examples of tasks related to the relevant domain.

 

The following constitute advantageous criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will not be excluded from the selection process: 

  • Experience in writing technical documents and reports
  • For candidates applying as Aerdromes Expert: applied knowledge of the aerodrome operational environment including aerodrome equipment, auditing techniques and working with national competent authorities or in safety oversight within these authorities or with international aviation organisations.
  • For candidates applying as Ground Handling Expert: applied knowledge of the ground handling operational environment, auditing techniques, industry standards related to ground handling or oversight of ground handling.

 

* English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase. Further language assessment may be organised, where necessary, to verify compliance with the requirement to demonstrate knowledge of two EU languages.


This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5-AD9

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the Professional Skills and Behavioural Competences listed below. While these are considered critical to perform the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Behavioural Competences for both roles

Flexibility & Change Adaptability
Communication
Teamwork
Critical Thinking

Professional Skills for Aerodromes Expert

Aerodrome Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 139/2014 or ICAO Annex 14)
Aerodrome Certification Specifications (EU CS-ADR-DSN or ICAO Annex 14)
Professional & Technical Expertise
Safety Assessment processes, methods and tools, including the assessment of safety risks
Strong command of English drafting and editing.
Audit Experience

Professional Skills for Groundhandling Expert

Professional & Technical Expertise
Stakeholder Management
Knowledge & Understanding of European and international rules, directives, and procedures applicable for ground handling services
Strong command of English drafting and editing.
Knowledge and understanding of industry standards, industry standard development, EASA role and process to contribute
Rules development process

Mandatory Pre-Employment Requirements

Prior to recruitment, you will be requested to demonstrate that you:  

  • Are entitled to the full rights as a citizen
  • Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service
  • Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (you will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record) 
  • Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (you will be asked to undergo a medical examination in a centre indicated by EASA)

Conditions of employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension
Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements
Salary: Step in grade upon recruitment based on years of work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation
Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required)

Application & Selection Process

How to apply

We can only accept applications that are submitted in English through our Recruiting tool. Before sending your application, make sure it is complete and contains the document(s) specified in the vacancy notice. Please also ensure that your candidate profile, all relevant fields and the answers to the pre-screening questions are correct. You may review and amend data demonstrating compliance with the eligibility and selection criteria only until the closing date of applications for the respective selection procedure.

For further information take a look at How we hire. In case of questions or technical issues, email us at recruit@easa.europa.eu. Attach a description and screenshot of the error. 

To check if you are meeting the minimum education qualifications required for the job, consult the information published by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): Examples of minimum qualifications

Important note on diplomas obtained outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Norway: If your application is found eligible on the basis of diploma(s) obtained outside these countries, we might ask you to provide proof of accreditation by one of the European Union Member States. This applies also to diplomas obtained in the UK after 31 December 2020.

Make sure you are meeting the language requirements: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and assess your language skills. Language certificates are not required at the stage of application, unless specified in the vacancy.

Selection Process

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via E-mail. If your application has been rejected following the initial screening, the status in your candidate profile will be automatically updated to "Not admitted". Invitations to the shortlisted candidates are sent once the evaluation of applications is completed (this may take up to two months after expiry of the deadline to apply). Pre-selection exercises, online tests and interviews with the Selection Board usually take place remotely. If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list from which you might be considered for similar positions within EASA. Learn more about our Selection and Onboarding process. Take a look also at our comprehensive information on Benefits, get to know Our people and find out what Life in Cologne is like.

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