The official website of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Category: Jobs

  • Airport region prepares for major renewal with aerotropolis

    Airport region prepares for major renewal with aerotropolis

    Aerotropolis Atlanta Director of Marketing and Communications Charlie Vaughn and CEO Shannon James © 2019 Decisive Moment Events

    By Anika Robertson

    Senior Editor / Assistant Public Relations Manager

    It’s no secret that as the economic jewel of the Southeast, Hartsfield-Jackson drives billions of dollars in business activity. A few miles away sits a lesser-known asset, a small but robust organization strategically grinding to catapult development surrounding ATL’s 4,700 acres.

    Incorporated in 2014, the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, consisting of a 39-member board that includes municipalities, nonprofits and corporate powerhouses such as Porsche, Georgia Power, SunTrust Bank and Delta Air Lines, seeks to drive economic investment, job growth and quality of life in the area.

    While many areas north of 1-20 have experienced development and revitalization, areas south of the line remained stagnant. That is until Porsche broke ground on its $100 million North America headquarters in Hapeville in 2012.

    “Porsche’s arrival solidified the aerotropolis concept,” Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance President and CEO Shannon James explained, adding that multijurisdictional collaboration and cooperation were vital.

    The organization was kick-started by a partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission to publish a detailed blueprint outlining the vision, select stakeholders and identify transportation needs. Porsche Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Joe Folz joined the burgeoning initiative and currently serves as chairman emeritus.

    James, appointed as CEO in May 2018, spends his days and nights furthering the mission of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance to strengthen the region through economic development, education and workforce development.

    The collaborative approach is working.

    “We bring tons of benefit with public-private partnerships, all these cities surrounding the Airport and we’re in constant communication with them. So how do we make sure, if there are opportunities or challenges, how can we be a conduit?”

    The entire Aerotropolis Atlanta area encompasses a 20-mile area surrounding the Airport. In addition to the Alliance, Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) also collaborate for further planning and development, such as a greenway network of trails, a transit study, and cargo mobility plans.

    The Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs and Alliance spearheaded a first for the area, the $12 million Diverging Diamond Interchange at I-285 and Camp Creek Parkway that promises to improve traffic flow and promote future growth. The project is expected to be completed in late 2019.

    “CIDs are more horizontal in economic development – beautification, infrastructure and wayfinding,” James explained.

    “We’re trying to bring vertical growth. When you have horizontal growth happening, it influences the vertical, so we are constantly working together.”

    With ATL as a partner and advocate for Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Airport General Manager John Selden said the alliance is a no-brainer.

    “Ensuring the success of Aerotropolis Atlanta is a win-win for everyone,” Selden said.

    “It just makes logical sense to be located in a thriving, vibrant region that is a world-class transportation hub.”

    One major project set to break ground early next year is Airport City College Park, a 320-acre mixed-use development adjacent to the Georgia International Convention Center off Camp Creek Parkway.

    “Now we’re bringing a couple of billion dollars to the area, which has never happened before, south of I-20,” James said.

    “This project really speaks to the aerotropolis concept. You’re bringing real destination development to an airport area.”

    So how can ATL best support Aerotropolis Atlanta? The former bank executive wants to make sure that visions and planning align while continuing to put Hartsfield-Jackson on a platform it deserves.

    “[With ATLNext], I would love for us to coordinate more as we’re planning through growth and what that looks like,” James said. “This will lead to smart growth for decades to come while positively promoting the area.”

    The organization recently won the 2018 Development of Excellence Great Place Award by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

    Plans for the next big win are in Clayton County with Mountainview, a 700-acre mixed-use development opportunity west of Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.

    “We have a regional focus and want to strip the idea of competition amongst ourselves,” James said.

    “What’s good for the area is good for everyone.”

  • ATLNext Industry Day offers opportunities, encourages inclusion

    ATLNext Industry Day offers opportunities, encourages inclusion

    Coordinator of ATLNext Industry Day, ATL Diversity Manager Valerie Nesbitt addresses the audience during ATLNext Industry Day luncheon April 3. © 2018 Decisive Moment Events

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    As construction continues on Hartsfield-Jackson’s multibillion-dollar capital improvement program, ATLNext Industry Day returned for the third year to educate and inspire contractors, particularly minorities and women, about business opportunities at the world’s busiest airport.

    ATLNext officially kicked off in fall 2016, and since then, the Airport has made enormous progress on massive canopies rising alongside the Domestic Terminal as well as renovations to the Transportation Mall and hold rooms. Future projects under ATLNext include additional gates, new cargo and parking facilities, a sixth runway and even a makeover of the Domestic Terminal atrium.

    “It is extraordinary that we will speak of these monumental projects in the same breath as we talk about making sure that minorities and women-owned businesses have a seat at the table,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who was joined by a host of Airport leaders April 3 at the Georgia International Convention Center.

    Bottoms credited the City’s growth and energy, propelled by the world’s busiest airport, as the driving force for attracting a number of businesses and making the top 20 list for Amazon’s second headquarters.

    The daylong event encouraged networking and information gathering during sessions covering safety and security, ethics, risk management, contract compliance, the procurement process and, of course, ATLNext.

    Hundreds attended, with more than 50 participating companies.

    “Your presence reflects not only your interest in the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, but also its future growth and development,” Airport Senior Deputy General Manager Michael Smith said.

    Keynote speaker, professor and author Dennis Kimbro shared insight from several prominent figures he interviewed over the years, including iconic Mayor Maynard Jackson.

    “Conviction is a force multiplier,” Kimbro said, referencing Jackson’s relentless pursuit of city improvements.

    Jackson was the father of Atlanta’s diversity and inclusion programs. And the City’s commitment to those programs continues today. Under ATLNext, the Airport hopes to achieve 37 percent participation among minority and women businesses.

    “We are really the model for the rest of the country and the rest of the world for what it means to include our minority and women-owned businesses,” Bottoms said.

  • Airport job fair draws crowd, praise

    Airport job fair draws crowd, praise

    Job seekers filled the biannual Airport Community Job Fair at the Georgia International Convention Center March 27.

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

    The biannual Airport Community Job Fair hosted more than 60 companies eager to fill hundreds of positions – from operations supervisor to cook to firefighter – at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport. The Georgia International Convention Center event on March 27 drew 1,435 job seekers, 174 of whom were hired on the spot. Below are reflections and impressions of those who landed job offers.

     

    Irene Stewart

     

    About: Just relocated with husband from New York and saw advertisement online.
    Hired as: Interpreter (Spanish)
    Company: TBI
    Experience at the job fair: “It was pleasant. The people are very friendly here. I’ve been able to learn about other companies that are establishing themselves.”
    Looking forward to: “Accomplishing the vision of the company as well as grow and [offer] some of my skills and abilities.”\

     

    Shelia Pope

     

    About: Atlanta native and saw advertisement on Facebook page.
    Hired as: Bartender
    Company: Global Concessions
    Looking forward to: “Longevity and stability. I like being at the Airport. I like meeting and dealing with a lot of new people from different places.”

     

    Soterica Morris

    About: From Jacksonville (1 month)
    Hired as: Assistant Manager
    Company: Park ATL (ABM-Lanier-Hunter)
    Experience at the job fair: “Here is definitely more involved. It wasn’t like you just gave [company representatives] your resume and hope for the best. They actually sit down with you and give you information about the job, and they leave it open for you to ask questions. It’s more personal.”
    Looking forward to: “Growing with the company. I want to be able to get in there and enforce the things they have laid out. I like to train people and help people become who they want to be: successful.”

     

    Tiah Tomlin

     

    About: From Virginia and learned of the fair through Facebook GroupMe (job-seeker group)
    Hired as: Trainer (department in development)
    Company: TBI
    Experience at the job fair: “It was simple. I was totally surprised. I wasn’t expecting it. I went in there to talk about customer service opportunities, and when they saw my background, they said, ‘I like you,’ [and shared information about the new training group]. Seamless.”
    Looking forward to: “The opportunity to meet people from all over, different cultures and different backgrounds. I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of the team.”

     

    Jessica Johnson

     

    Hired as: Cashier
    Company: Hojeij Branded Foods from Atlanta
    Experience at the job fair: “It’s my first time at a job fair. It’s different, so many companies.”
    Looking forward to: “Improving my life and trying to build to get to the next level.”

     

  • Thousands attend, hundreds hired at ATL’s job fair

    Thousands attend, hundreds hired at ATL’s job fair

    An applicant submits her application at the Airport Community Job Fair at the Georgia International Convention Center. © 2017 Decisive Moment Events

     

    By Anika Robertson
    Senior Editor/Assistant Public Relations Manager

     

    More than 2,300 job seekers flocked to the Airport Community Job Fair on Oct. 31 in the hope of landing one of 1,800 positions available at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.

    Early totals indicate 438 applicants were hired on the spot, with more to come pending application reviews and interviews from the 60 participating businesses.

    The fall job fair, held at the Georgia International Convention Center, offered opportunities ranging from baristas and digital software engineers to passenger sales agents and security officers.

    “We were hoping to hire about 20 qualified candidates,” said Jamaal Campbell, human resources manager with Hojeij Branded Foods. “We were able to double that projection by hiring 54 new employees. I have been a part of job fairs for several years, but this one was our most successful.”

    Hojeij positions up for grabs included cooks, cashiers, bussers and shift leaders at the company’s 18 Airport eateries. New Hojeij hire Joshua Gilbert looks forward to showcasing his culinary talents.

    “I love to cook, so this was an opportunity for me to go a little bit further, learn a little bit more,” Gilbert said.

    Several City of Atlanta  recruiters welcomed applicants and encouraged online submissions for 54 open positions across varied fields and divisions.

    “We have solid waste, engineers, watershed [and] a lot of public safety people are needed,” said Samantha Graves, recruiting coordinator for talent acquisitions. “I will be helping to pair people’s talents, scanning their resumes and … finding a job that fits well for them.”

    Companies weren’t the only ones scouting for talent. Several regional schools offered training and financial incentives for those seeking education and additional skills.

    Robert Thomas, admissions representative for Heavy Equipment Colleges of America in Georgia, recruited students by touting the job placement success of the three- to nine-month program.

    “We train and certify heavy equipment operators and assist with lifetime job placement across the country,” said Thomas, adding that 85 percent of graduates are veterans.

    Historically, Hartsfield-Jackson has held one job fair per year. But the upward growth of the economy, coupled with the Airport’s huge influx of passengers and the launch of the Airport’s capital improvement program, prompted organizers in 2016 to add a second event in the fall.

    And with more events, organizers have added more features, including resume printing service, a career coach, interview rooms and daylong training.

    Last week, Hartsfield-Jackson hosted training sessions covering resume writing, interviewing skills, job fair success and airport customer service. The sessions were conducted by the Georgia Department of Labor, Aerotropolis WorkSource Georgia and the Department of Aviation.

    Janisha Radford moved to Atlanta from Flint, Michigan, in 2015. Seeking additional part-time work, the certified nurse assistant learned of the fair through online research. By early afternoon, she was offered a wheelchair agent position from GAT Airline Ground Support.

    “I like to help people. I enjoy it,” Radford said. “[The fair] is a good opportunity for anyone … someone who wants to do something with themselves.”

    Chief job fair organizer Chermaine Axam hopes that message of opportunity will continue to resonate.

    “Our goal was to provide job seekers with the tools needed to land a position at the job fair,” said Axam, ATL’s assistant manager for community affairs. “And the results paid off for many who were hired on the spot.”

  • Hartsfield-Jackson’s first fall job fair draws big crowd, high praise

    Hartsfield-Jackson’s first fall job fair draws big crowd, high praise

    By Shane Blatt
    Senior Public Relations Manager

    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hosted its first fall job fair Oct. 19, drawing thousands of career hopefuls looking to land a position at the world’s busiest airport – or with its partners and stakeholders.

    Officially, 3,083 participants packed the Georgia International Convention Center to make a pitch for one of 1,691 open positions. More than 60 Airport community employers were on hand, and they hired at least 89 individuals on the spot.

    Arieona Housworth of Atlanta was among them.

    “The interview went really smooth,” said Housworth, who noted she wasn’t surprised she received an immediate job offer from MEM Concessions.

    “I claimed it,” she said.

    Others claimed it too, including Laurel Williams of Atlanta. The Starbucks barista scored a position with Hojeij Branded Foods.

    “I was happy because this is the first table I went to,” she said. “The Airport is a busy place, and I know I can get more hours than what I can get right now, especially during the holiday season.”

    Each time employers made a hire, a loud whistle reverberated throughout the hall.

    For William Satisfield, the whistle became an all too familiar sound. That’s because the 30-year-old Hapeville resident hit the job jackpot, receiving offers for a management position from Hojeij Branded Foods, Willy’s Mexicana Grill and HMSHost in less than three hours.

    “I’m very excited,” he said. “I’m going to go home, have a drink and think about which one to accept.”

    Each year, the Airport Community Job Fair “gets better and better,” said chief organizer Chermaine Axam, ATL’s assistant manager for community affairs.

    “Every job fair builds upon the success of previous ones,” she said. “We continue to add features to better satisfy the needs of Airport community employers and, of course, job seekers. This year, we added laptop computer stations and a mobile career coach. It was amazing to watch the excitement in the room.”

    Historically, the world’s busiest airport has conducted job fairs in the spring. But the upward growth of the economy, coupled with ATL’s huge influx of passengers and the launch of its $6 billion capital improvement program ATLNext, prompted organizers to add a fall event.

    Unlike its spring counterpart, the fall fair included a wider variety of positions, from cashiers and cooks to administrators and accountants. Those interested in project manager and engineering jobs found a number of options as well, particularly as ATLNext moves forward.

    Interim Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council Jr. strolled through the job fair just after 10 a.m. He met with employers and job seekers, and he underscored the event’s importance in ATL’s ongoing focus on the community.

    “Beyond being a major transportation hub, Hartsfield-Jackson serves the community by hosting events such as the job fair,” he said. “We’re helping connect employers with potential employees and, in the process, tapping into a tremendous pool of talent across our region.”

    Many had high praise for ATL’s inaugural fall fair.

    “I love this job fair,” said Demetria Bacote of Hartsville, S.C. She obtained on-the-spot employment with MEM Concessions. “It was a breeze and very welcoming.”

    Hartsfield-Jackson’s first fall job fair draws big crowd, high praise
    From top, thousands of job seekers packed the Georgia International Convention Center for ATL’s first fall job fair. The free event featured more than 60 employers. Interim Airport General Manager Roosevelt Council Jr. walked through the fair just after 10 a.m., meeting employers and prospective employees. New this year was WorkSource Atlanta Career Coach, a state-of-the-art mobile unit that helped job seekers find sustainable employment. Below left, William Satisfield landed three offers in less than three hours at the fair. “I’m very excited,” he said. Photos by Decisive Moment Photojournalism
  • Hartsfield-Jackson gears up for fall job fair

    Hartsfield-Jackson gears up for fall job fair

    Hartsfield-Jackson gears up for fall job fair
    The Atlanta Police Department will be among the 40-plus Airport community employers on hand at the fall job fair.

    By Shane Blatt
    Senior Public Relations Manager

    Looking for a job in accounting or engineering? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is hosting an Airport Community Job Fair in October.

    Like its spring counterpart, the fall fair will feature more than 40 Airport community employers, with 500-plus jobs up for grabs. But unlike the spring fair, this event has a wider variety of jobs available. Positions include cashiers, servers and cooks as well as administrators, managers and accountants.

    The fair will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Georgia International Convention Center. It is free, although on-site parking will cost $5. Organizers encourage attendees to take MARTA and connect to the free Hartsfield-Jackson SkyTrain to the GICC.

    For the past few years, Hartsfield-Jackson has conducted an annual job fair in early spring. Based on the upward growth of the economy and the huge influx of passengers through the Airport, organizers decided to host another job fair ahead of the holiday season.

    To register as a job seeker, go to atljobfair.eventbrite.com.

    To register as an employer, go to atljf16.eventbrite.com.