The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation is preparing for the many international events planned for the Greater Philadelphia Region in 2025 and 2026 not only by making infrastructure improvements at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), but also by ensuring critical staffing roles, such as custodians, are filled. Over the past five months, the Department of Aviation has hired more than 100 new custodial team members.  

"People are our greatest resource," said Delicsha Wilds, the Department of Aviation’s Chief Administrative Officer. "I am thankful for the collaboration of multiple units and their collective innovative approach to achieve the desired results. We still have work to do and more people to hire but I am confident that we will reach our goal." 

“Hiring for the airports’ team is more demanding compared to similar jobs in other City of Philadelphia departments, specifically because of the background check and badging process,” added Stacey Lennon, the airports’ vice president of talent acquisition. “In addition to the City’s standard background and medical checks, working at the airport requires a federal background check, security training, and fingerprinting in order to obtain a Security Identification Display Area [SIDA] badge to access the secure areas of the airport. This process adds to the time it takes for us to offer qualified candidates jobs and onboard them.”     

Over the last two years, the HR team, led by manager Tamara Whitfield, has worked tirelessly to recruit staff by attending job fairs and career day events across Philadelphia, advertising on social media and conducting interviews at a variety of hours to accommodate shift workers. The team also collaborated with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Human Resources to review and update hard-to-fill job specifications, qualifications and experience and looked for and obtained various salary increases for Civil Service employees. The airports’ team’s efforts, including mass interviews, on-the-spot employment offers, same day fingerprint appointments and pre-scheduled medical appointments have significantly reduced the time it takes the Department of Aviation to bring new staff on board.  

“What could be a 60-day or more process, has been reduced by 50 percent,” said Lennon.  

Another tool used by the airports to attract talent is career growth prospects. Once part of the PHL and PNE team, employees have opportunities to improve, grow and thrive in various positions through the Department of Aviation’s BRIDGE program. The program, which was initiated by the airports’ Workforce Development Unit, provides current employees with information, tools and resources while also attracting new talent. Targeted partnerships, training and development, and implementing strategic goals are also part of the program.