Aerodromes Expert / Ground Handling Expert - European Union Aviation Safety Agency (AD5, Cologne)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Union Aviation Safety Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead standardisation inspections as standardisation team leader
• Evaluate regulatory compliance and identify deficiencies
• Oversee Member State safety performance per Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and 628/2013
• 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 standardisation, rulemaking, flexibility provisions and safety risk management

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma in relevant subjects in scope of the profile
• Experience: 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
• Languages: European Union language (C1), European Union language (B2), English (C1)
• Key skills: Flexibility & Change Adaptability, Communication, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, 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
• Eligibility: Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. 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. Physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Assessment of Professional Skills and Behavioural Competences
• Language assessment may be organised to verify compliance with language requirements
• Medical examination in a centre indicated by EASA
• Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension.

Working arrangements: Cologne, Germany. Flexible working arrangements. Frequent travel in EASA Member States is required to perform standardisation activities. Relocation is required..

Hiring unit: EASA.

Position details

Reference

EASA/AD/2026/1041

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Aerodromes Expert / Ground Handling Expert at EASA based in Cologne at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is EASA/AD/2026/1041. The role falls under the All Domains domain.

Type of Selection:Internal and External

Contract Type:Temporary agent

Grade:AD05

Deadline for application:12/08/2026 at 23:59 CEST

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](https://careers.easa.europa.eu/content/Working-with-us/?locale=en_GB "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](https://careers.easa.europa.eu/content/Diversity-and-Inclusion/?locale=en_GB "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](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/home) and take a look at our[organisation structure](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/the-agency/agency-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.

AsGround Handling Expertyou 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 Expertyou 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 Expertyou 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)

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD5 runs from €6,153 (step 1) to €6,961 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €73,836 to €83,532 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €984 per month at step 1 of AD5) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Cologne. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 2 July 2026, 24 days ago.

The application deadline is 12 August 2026, 15 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 24 July 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD5 see our AD5 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at EASA see the EASA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Cologne see our Cologne location page; for related vacancies in the All Domains field browse our All Domains domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.