$29 per hour? Kansas City is trying to fill these 14 positions at the new KCI airport

Looking for a gig at the new KCI?

City job listings show the airport is seeking applicants for at least 14 different roles.

While none of them involve hopping on the many flights out of the newly-renovated terminal, they all play a part in keeping the city’s biggest passenger travel hub running smoothly.

Here are all the jobs currently available, ranked by their approximate hourly rate — we got this number for each job by taking the average of the upper and lower ends of their pay ranges. For example, a job listing a range of $18.37 - $28.01 per hour got assigned an approximate hourly rate of $23.19.

$20.35 per hour: Bus Operator Trainee

The lowest-paid position currently available at KCI, this job has a stated pay range of $16.12 - $24.58 per hour. The role is a trainee position that involves learning the ropes of operating the airport’s buses, which shuttle passengers between terminals and parking lots. This role involves the opportunity for promotion to a bus operator position.

The airport has had a shortage of bus drivers since at least the end of last year, when travelers were left waiting for a shuttle for nearly an hour-and-a-half.

$21.15 per hour: Traffic Control Officer

This on-your-feet job involves directing the flow of vehicle traffic at KCI’s terminal, including dispatching taxis and writing parking tickets when needed. At a pay rate of $16.92 - $25.38 per hour, this largely outdoor role is one of the lower-paid positions currently available at KCI.

The airport has relied heavily on these traffic control officers to help relieve congestion at the arrivals area, which seems to finally be working.

$23.19 per hour: Bus Operator, Stock Clerk or Building Maintenance Worker

With an advertised pay range of $18.37 - $28.01 per hour, these jobs all involve the essential duties of keeping KCI operating smoothly.

The bus operator position, which requires a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) involves driving, cleaning and fueling the airport’s fleet of buses.

The Stock Clerk role is a warehouse position involving heavy lifting and some forklift operation as well as computerized inventory management.

Finally, the Building Maintenance Worker role is all about keeping the airport clean, from minor repairs to restocking restrooms and washing windows.

$24.33 per hour: Maintenance Worker or Airport Security Dispatcher

Both offering compensation ranging from $19.27 to $29.39 per hour, these roles cover solid waste duties and security oversight for KCI.

The Maintenance Worker role involves trash collection, compaction and transport. The role is performed in all weather conditions, both indoors and outdoors, and involves some heavy lifting as well as operating heavy machinery.

The Airport Security Dispatcher role involves more organization and information sharing than manual labor. This job includes coordinating security and police officers, sharing information over the airport’s information line and dispatching workers to handle maintenance needs.

$28.15 per hour: Municipal Management Trainee

This trainee position is the only available role currently listed in the airport operations division of KCI, making it a good choice for those who want to be out on the runway. This job involves identifying possible hazards to planes and vehicles, including wildlife. In fact, one responsibility of the job is “utilizes frightening and/or harassment techniques to disperse wildlife hazards.” So if you have always wanted to scare geese off the tarmac, this is the job to apply for.

$28.55 per hour: Electronics Technician or Maintenance Mechanic

While neither of these roles involve working directly with aircraft, the specialized skills they require bring along a pay range of $22.61 - $34.48 per hour.

The Electronics Technician position involves installing, repairing and maintaining electronics in the airport, including PA systems, security cameras, card readers, motion sensors, gate operators, communication devices, audio and recording devices, electronic information signage and UPS systems.

There are three Maintenance Mechanic jobs available at the airport. They all involve making repairs to machinery, but they vary based on location. The “CUP” role is primarily indoors working with lighting and appliances. The “Field” role involves maintaining the outdoor areas of the airport, including pavement and fences. Finally, the “Structural” role involves internal qualities of the airport like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC and other carpentry duties.

$28.94: Airport Police Officer

This role’s compensation depends on qualifications. Its job listing offers a pay rate of $22.52- $33.78 per hour to candidates without a Missouri POST A certification, which licenses police and security officers in the state. But the minimum pay rate rises to $24.10 for those with this certification.

The listing states that preference will be given to those with this certification, so we based our average on the higher range, making this one of the best-paid jobs at the airport. Its responsibilities include directing traffic, screening passengers found to have weapons by airport security and acting as a first responder during emergencies.

$30.97 per hour: Building Maintenance Supervisor

This supervisor role offers pay ranging from $24.77 to $37.16 per hour, making it the highest-paid role currently open at KCI. The supervisor coordinates their staff to perform custodial duties both inside and outside the airport, particularly during snow removal season.

Do you have more questions about employment opportunities in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.