Equipment Operator

Role Overview

This is an airside operations role for someone who is equally comfortable behind the wheel and in front of passengers. Day to day, you drive company passenger buses around the apron at JKIA, moving travellers between the terminal, the aircraft stands and the agreed pick-up or drop-off points while keeping every trip punctual, safe and secure. The work sits at the point where service quality meets ramp safety, so the standards you hold directly shape how a customer remembers their journey and how well the airline meets its on-time commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate passenger buses across the apron according to company procedures and the prevailing airside rules, adjusting routes and timing to match live arrival, departure and transfer demands.
• Prepare a bussing plan for each wave of flights so that disembarking passengers face the shortest possible wait and the operation hits its on-time performance targets.
• Complete the daily pre-use checklist before the vehicle carries anyone, recording any defect and confirming serviceability.
• Track the condition of your assigned bus throughout the shift; when a vehicle becomes unserviceable, activate the fallback plan and keep passenger movement flowing.
• Keep the interior and exterior of the bus clean, verify that the pre-recorded announcements are present and played at the right moments, and check for belongings left behind, reporting anything found through the correct channel.
• Identify and report hazards, near misses, incidents and accidents, and lead the mitigation briefing that follows.
• Park only in designated bays, keep each bus assigned to its intended purpose, and raise any deviation from procedure with the line manager for corrective action.
• Take responsibility for the safety and security of every passenger on board as well as the vehicle itself, and maintain corporate grooming and uniform standards at all times.

Requirements & Qualifications

• KCSE mean grade D+ (or equivalent secondary-level qualification) as a minimum.
• A relevant certificate or diploma.
• Valid driving licence covering categories A, B, C, D and E.
• Class G endorsement issued by NTSA.
• Ground handling equipment certificate, with equipment operator training at the appropriate level: Level I (tractor and pallet mover), Level II (all GSE excluding pushback) or Level III (all GSE).
• Radio telephony certificate for Level III operators.
• Airside driving, airside safety awareness and aviation security awareness training.
• Dangerous Goods CAT 8 certification and Safety Management System (SMS) awareness.
• Confident, competent operation of ramp equipment, including pushback.
• Personal qualities that fit a customer-facing airside team: a customer-first mindset, high integrity, reliable teamwork, self-motivation and strong time discipline.