Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Fuel Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Fuel Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant handling, testing, storage, distribution, and documentation of aviation fuels (Jet-A/Jet A-1) and associated fluids at airports, fuel farms, and military or industrial fueling facilities. This role emphasizes fuel quality control, hydrant and tanker refueling operations, fuel system maintenance, environmental and HSE compliance, and clear communication with operations, maintenance and flight crews. A successful candidate will combine hands-on fueling experience with strong safety awareness, technical troubleshooting skills, and the ability to follow ASTM, ICAO, JIG and company fuel handling standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Fuel Attendant / Fuel Hander
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Technician
Military Fuel Specialist / Aviation Fuels Specialist

Advancement To:

Lead Jet Fuel Technician / Senior Fuel Technician
Fuel Operations Supervisor / Fuel Farm Supervisor
Fuel Quality Control Specialist / Fuel Chemist
Airport Fuel Operations Manager / Fuel and Hydrant Systems Manager

Lateral Moves:

Ground Operations Coordinator
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (with additional certifications)
Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Technician — fuel focus

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and maintain fuel farm and hydrant distribution equipment to safely receive, store and dispense Jet-A/Jet A‑1 fuel, performing pre-operation checks, start-up/shutdown procedures and equipment inspections in accordance with company procedures and JIG/ASTM standards.
Execute aircraft refueling and defueling operations using hydrant carts, tanker trucks and hydrant pits, ensuring correct fuel grade, quantity, correct fueling panel connections and strict adherence to grounding and bonding procedures to prevent static discharge.
Perform systematic fuel sampling and analysis for contamination (water, particulate, microbial growth) using approved sampling protocols, record results, and coordinate corrective actions such as filtration, polishing or tank cleaning when quality issues are detected.
Conduct daily and periodic inspections of storage tanks, pipelines, hydrant pits, dispensers and filtration systems, identifying leaks, corrosion, valve malfunctions and other integrity issues; initiate maintenance requests and follow-through on repairs with the maintenance team.
Monitor and operate filtration, transfer pumps, blending systems and inline filters to maintain fuel quality; manage filter change-outs, backflushing and scheduled maintenance to prevent contamination and maintain flow efficiency.
Maintain accurate fueling logs, delivery manifests, chain-of-custody documentation and digital records for incoming deliveries, aliquot samples and dispensed volumes to support traceability and regulatory compliance.
Accept and inspect fuel deliveries from suppliers — verify product quality and quantity against purchase orders and manifests, witness sampling at receipt, and quarantine suspect product until analysis and disposition decisions are made.
Implement fuel conservation and inventory control procedures: perform daily reconciliations, stock rotation, theft prevention practices and secure fuel asset management to minimize loss and support cost control.
Execute emergency response and spill containment procedures for fuel leaks, overflows or accidental releases: deploy absorbents, place booms, isolate valves, notify EHS and local authorities, and complete incident reports and root-cause analysis.
Test and maintain hydrant system pressure, monitor hydrant pit vacuum systems, and perform line purging and air elimination procedures to ensure reliable fuel delivery to aircraft.
Calibrate and verify metering and measuring equipment (flow meters, tank gauging, weighing systems), reporting discrepancies and coordinating vendor calibration services when required.
Support planned outages, tank cleaning, and fuel system modifications by preparing fuel transfer plans, supervising downtime procedures, and coordinating with contractors and maintenance crews to maintain fuel system integrity.
Enforce and update fuel handling procedures, permits, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to reflect regulatory changes, audit findings and continuous improvement initiatives.
Conduct routine microbial remediation activities including biocide treatment and tastings for microbial presence (where authorized), and coordinate with lab services for advanced testing like GC-MS or particulate analysis when abnormal results occur.
Participate in scheduled internal and external audits (regulatory, ISO, supplier audits) by preparing documentation, providing tours and implementing corrective action plans from audit findings related to fuel handling and quality.
Train and mentor junior fueling staff on fuel handling best practices, safety protocols, sampling procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring competency and certification currency across the fueling team.
Liaise with operations teams — ramp, dispatch, maintenance and airline representatives — to sequence fueling activities, support quick turnarounds, and advise on fuel compatibility, blend requirements or defueling needs for maintenance events.
Manage hazardous materials (HAZMAT) paperwork and manifests, ensure proper labeling and storage of fuel and associated chemicals, and verify compliance with DOT, ICAO and local hazardous goods regulations for transport and storage.
Maintain and troubleshoot automated fuel management and SCADA systems used for tank gauging, level alarms and remote monitoring; coordinate with IT and vendors to resolve telemetry faults and improve data reliability.
Execute quality improvement projects aimed at reducing contamination incidents, improving turnaround times and optimizing filter life by tracking KPIs and implementing proven process changes.
Perform night and irregular shift operations as required, ensuring continuous coverage for fueling operations and maintaining the same high standards for safety and quality during all shifts.

Secondary Functions

Maintain inventory of fuel-handling consumables (filters, seals, hoses, gaskets, PPE, absorbent materials) and coordinate procurement to avoid stockouts that could interrupt operations.
Support cross-functional initiatives with maintenance, environmental compliance and procurement to qualify new suppliers, test alternative fuels or implement sustainability projects (e.g., SAF handling readiness).
Prepare and submit routine regulatory reports, incident notifications and corrective action documentation to airport authorities and environmental agencies.
Participate in tabletop exercises and live drills for emergency response and spill remediation to maintain readiness and identify process improvements.
Assist fuel lab personnel with chain-of-custody documentation and sample scheduling to expedite root-cause investigations of quality anomalies.
Provide on-call support for after-hours fueling incidents, system alarms or urgent defueling requests and coordinate escalation to management when necessary.
Document lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement programs related to fueling safety, fuel quality, and operational efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Aviation fuel handling and refueling operations (Jet-A, Jet A‑1) — hydrant, tanker and truck-to-hydrant fueling techniques.
Fuel sampling and laboratory chain-of-custody procedures, water detection and particulate inspection methods.
Knowledge of fuel specifications and standards (ASTM D1655, DEF STAN, JIG, ICAO QA guidelines) and ability to apply them to operations.
Hydrant system operation, pressure control, purging, vacuum systems and pit maintenance.
Filtration systems, coalescers, centrifugal separators and fuel polishing techniques.
Leak detection, tank integrity inspections and basic piping/valve troubleshooting.
Operation and basic troubleshooting of fuel management systems, flow meters, SCADA and tank gauging instrumentation.
HAZMAT and fuel spill response procedures; use of spill kits, booms and secondary containment.
Permit-to-work familiarity for confined space entry, hot work around fuel systems, and lockout/tagout practices.
Safety and environmental regulatory knowledge (OSHA, DOT, EPA, local airport regulations) related to fuel handling.
Basic mechanical skills: pump servicing, valve replacement, hose assembly and flange/ gasket inspection.
Familiarity with fuel additives, biocide treatments and handling procedures for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend management.
Documentation and record-keeping skills for fueling logs, delivery manifests and audit evidence.
Certification awareness: industry-recognized fueling certifications and training (for example, airport/airline fueling accreditation, HAZWOPER or equivalent) — preferred.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to testing and documentation to ensure fuel quality and regulatory compliance.
Clear, concise communication skills for coordination with pilots, ground crews, suppliers and regulatory officials.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting mindset to quickly isolate root causes of contamination, equipment faults and operational delays.
High safety mindset and the ability to enforce safety and procedural compliance among team members.
Time management and ability to prioritize fueling operations during peak traffic and quick turnaround demands.
Team player who can train and mentor less experienced technicians and work effectively with cross-functional groups.
Adaptability to changing schedules, emergency response duties and varying weather conditions on the ramp or fuel farm.
Accountability and integrity when handling controlled materials and maintaining accurate inventory and records.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; demonstrated experience in fueling, mechanical or industrial operations.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical certificate in Aviation Technology, Mechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Environmental Science or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation Maintenance Technology
Mechanical or Industrial Technology
Environmental/Occupational Safety
Chemical or Petroleum Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of hands-on aviation fuel handling or related fueling operations (hydrant systems, fuel farms, tanker operations).

Preferred:

3+ years of Jet-A/aviation fuel experience at commercial airports, fixed-base operators (FBOs), airlines, oil companies or military fuel units.
Demonstrated experience with fuel sampling programs, filter management, hydrant systems and fuel quality control programs.
Prior experience in a regulated environment with documented safety performance and incident reporting.