Officer, Aviation Safety Management Systems

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a unique and dynamic place to work, with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson, Canada’s leading global hub airport, a global leader in airport performance, customer care and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 2,100 GTAA employees are working to create a next-generation airport by innovating in all we do and striving for the most uplifting, safe and efficient experience for our passengers – all while championing the prosperity of our people, the community we call home, and our aviation partners. Join us on our journey together, as we put the joy back into travel and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work.

What's in it for you!

As a GTAA employee, you’ll have access to amazing benefits, including retirement planning, comprehensive group health benefits, an employee assistance programs (EAP), paid leave, education and training, as well as recognition and rewards programs.

What you can expect from this position:

Reporting to the Manager, Aviation Safety Management Systems, this position is responsible for assisting with the continued development, implementation, management and integration of the Safety Management System by ensuring that the program framework meets Canadian Aviation Regulations.

As an Officer, Aviation Safety Management Systems , you will:

• Maintain the Safety Management System (SMS) framework ensuring regulatory compliance and alignment with ICAO and Canadian Aviation Regulations.


• Develop, document, and implement standardized SMS processes and procedures across departments, capturing best practices and ensuring continual improvement.


• Ensure that the SMS program and processes meet regulatory requirements, facilitate internal audits as per the Aviation Safety Management System Manual.


• Participate in the identification of aviation safety objectives, goals, and performance measures and analyze SMS data to determine the annual safety risk profile.


• Facilitate and assist Hazard and Control Owners in the Risk Assessments and Incident Review process while identifying causal factors as well as conducting root cause analysis. Ensure corrective actions and agreed timelines are outcomes.


• Support, coordinate, conduct and lead investigations into airside safety incidents and/or identified systemic issues in partnership with an identified Single Point of Contact from the SMS Working Group.


• Maintain the SMS database of incidents/hazards and reviewing Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) on a monthly basis and monitoring the progress of corrective action plans and system review follow ups.


• Assist and support the Manager, Aviation Safety Management Systems on preparing for committee and industry meetings.

This unionized position is classified at the Band 8 level, with an hourly wage of $51.51, based on a 37.5 hour work week. The successful candidate must be available to commence the duties of the position once a selection decision has been made. A test will be administered as a part of the competitive process.

This is the role for you, if you have:

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in the development, implementation, administration/ management of a Safety Management System. Must demonstrate a strong understanding of the philosophy and approach of a Safety Management System.


• Knowledge of Safety Management legislation, policies, procedures and relevant Acts, Regulations, Standards, recommended practices and procedures related to Safety Management Systems.


• Minimum three (3) years of aviation operations experience with a focus on airside operations- operational experience at Toronto Pearson International Airport or similar International Airport(s) would be an asset.


• Working level knowledge of airport operations and programs, as well as an understanding of protocols and procedures related to aviation safety.


• Experience working with aviation-related data with the ability to analyze and interpret data for presentation to different levels of the organization.


• Experience with Personal Computers and relational databases, audit and/or SMS software, spreadsheets, and data analysis.


• Ability to produce reports that will be reviewed by the Executive level.


• Minimum two (3) years of experience in facilitating discussions, risk and safety assessments between different levels of internal and external leadership with competing priorities.


• Minimum one (1) year of training facilitation and delivery experience.


• Minimum three (3) years of auditing experience within a regulatory framework.


• Minimum three (3) years of conducting safety-related investigations including hazard and risk identification and assessments, root cause, and contributing factor analysis, corrective action identification and effective measurement techniques. Ability to obtain and retain a Transportation Security Clearance.

Knowledge and skills you bring, that set you up for success:

• Knowledge of Aeronautics Act and CARS, TP312E, ICAO Annex 14, FAA FAR Part 139, GTAA airside standards and policies, NAVCAN practices, low visibility practices and operations.


• Maintaining current knowledge of all aspects of Safety Management legislation, policies and procedures and relevant Criminal Justice Bills.


• Knowledge of investigative, inspection and audit techniques and practices.


• Knowledge of aircraft operating procedures and related safety requirements.


• Knowledge of airside and operating systems such as airfield lighting and signage, VDGS. Must have the ability to learn the skill of studying complex drawings and determining whether there are airside safety or operational concerns that need to be addressed.


• Knowledge of Safety Management Systems including regulation and GTAA specific Policies and Procedures, safety management legislation.


• Maintaining knowledge of relevant Acts, Regulations, Standards, Recommended Practices and Procedures related to airports, aircraft and aircraft ground handling equipment (TP312), land use in the vicinity of airports (Zoning Regulations and TP1247), all weather operations (TP1490), and the types of aircraft and ground support equipment used at Toronto Pearson International Airport.


• Maintaining current knowledge of theories of flight and propulsion, safety and accident investigation.


• Ability to maintain concentration and attention to detail, especially in critical safety areas where care and judgement are essential.


• Must have excellent problem solving and decision making skills and be meticulous, resourceful, detail oriented and a self-starter who works well as an individual and as a strong member of a dynamic team.


• Ability to work independently to prioritize work accordingly, when required.


• Ability to analyze audit evidence to develop findings and comprehensive audit reports.


• Ability to assess responses and recommendations to findings, to ensure operational quality assurance, and be able to clearly and confidently articulate findings or observations based on rationale and process application.


• Ability to determine and assess causal factors and appropriate human factors associated with airside incidents, accidents or safety reports or observations.


• Ability to determine the risk levels associated with airside activity (whether related to incidents or proposed change),and assist with determining appropriate mitigation strategies in order will reduce the risk to acceptable levels and allow the activity to continue or commence.


• Ability to impart knowledge of SMS requirements and systematic approach to GTAA personnel, tenants, contractors and others whose work has an impact on airside safety.


• Ability to design, manage and maintain the SMS web site and all interfaces with i-Share, the SMS Database and any other supporting GTAA applications.


• Ability to manage short-term co-op student, reviewing student’s work, providing guidance and direction as required, including conducting an appraisal review, assigning work and deadlines as appropriate.


• This role requires expert theoretical and practical / working knowledge of the Canadian aviation regulations 107.01 subpart 7 and 302.500 – Division V.


• Expert knowledge in the identification of hazards, risks, and safety investigative processes including, root cause analysis techniques, hazard and risk assessment techniques as well as corrective action identification to mitigate risks to an acceptable level.


• Due to the complex nature of this role and the environment that it operates in which includes cross functional responsibility internal and external to the GTAA and at all levels of leadership, this role requires strong knowledge of problem-solving, conflict resolution and facilitation skills. This role needs to be able to translate the findings from any safety investigation and help develop new methods, approaches as well as processes, and procedures to address root cause(s) and prevent future reoccurrence. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and can provide direction to program owners as well as GTAA leadership on how to resolve and address medium to high-risk hazards. This will include a variety of process owners from across the organization and airport.


• This role requires in-depth understanding of the programs and processes required to help maintain our airport operating certificate as well as the responsibilities or internal departments at the GTAA and external organizations. This role needs to manage those relationships to ensure a common understanding of all responsibilities under the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the Safety Management Systems.


• This role requires expert knowledge of auditing principles as well as quality assurance programs and the Canadian Aviation Regulation 302.503 (Quality Assurance Program). This role will carry out regulatory audits on all programs identified in the Airport Operations Manual as well as those programs that have been defined as safety-critical to the GTAA. This role will determine regulatory non-compliance as well as non-conformance. As a result, this role serves as an oversight method for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) who is the Accountable Executive for aviation safety at the GTAA.

The GTAA is committed to Employment Equity and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.