Global Aviation Operations Specialist

At World Fuel, our employees are the key to our global success. We are industry leaders due to the innumerable talents of our approximately 5000 strong professional team. Our people thrive in an entrepreneurial and culturally-diverse environment, where innovative thinking, collaboration and efficient execution are highly valued. Our high-performance culture is what allows us to drive sustained growth. Stronger together, we promote an environment where individuals can thrive.
Global Aviation Operations Specialist
Location: San José, Costa Rica
Join a Team That Keeps Aviation Moving
As a Global Aviation Operations Specialist, you will play a critical role in supporting aircraft operations around the world. Working within a fast-paced, 24/7 global aviation environment, you will coordinate operational requests, solve real-time challenges, and help ensure flights continue safely and efficiently with minimal disruption.
This is not a scripted customer service role.
Success in this position requires strong judgement, attention to detail, prioritization skills, and the ability to make sound decisions in an environment where priorities can change rapidly. You will work closely with customers, suppliers, airports, ground handlers, and internal teams across multiple time zones to resolve operational challenges and deliver solutions that keep aircraft moving worldwide.
Every day presents different challenges. One moment you may be supporting a routine international flight operation. The next, you could be helping resolve a fuel supply issue, coordinating support for an aircraft diversion, managing a time-sensitive customer request, or finding a solution in a location with changing operational conditions.
The Global Fuel Logistics team supports a diverse range of aviation operations, including business aviation, cargo, government, military, humanitarian, medical, and VIP flights. Our specialists are trusted to assess competing priorities, follow established procedures, manage operational exceptions, and deliver excellent service while protecting operational integrity.
What You'll Do
Support Global Aircraft Operations
Coordinate fuel and operational support solutions for aircraft operating worldwide.
Manage customer communications and operational requests across multiple channels.
Prioritize competing requests based on urgency, operational impact, customer commitments, and business needs.
Assess operational challenges and determine appropriate resolution paths and escalation requirements.
Monitor multiple active situations simultaneously while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Collaborate with suppliers, airports, ground handlers, and internal stakeholders to support successful flight operations.
Support customers operating in complex environments where changing circumstances require rapid decision-making and problem-solving.
Create, maintain, and process operational updates and changes throughout the lifecycle of a trip.
Follow established procedures, operational controls, and company policies to ensure compliance and consistency.
Deliver exceptional customer service while balancing operational, commercial, and compliance considerations.
Why Join Us?
Work in a dynamic global aviation environment where no two days are the same.
Support mission-critical operations across multiple sectors of the aviation industry.
Develop expertise in aviation operations, fuel logistics, and operational decision-making.
Gain exposure to customers, suppliers, airports, and operational providers around the world.
Build valuable skills in prioritization, stakeholder management, risk awareness, and problem-solving.
Join a collaborative team that plays a direct role in supporting global flight operations.
Explore long-term career growth opportunities within a global aviation organization.
What We're Looking For
We welcome candidates from aviation, logistics, operations, travel operations, supply chain, dispatch, customer operations, emergency response, military operations support, and other fast-paced environments where prioritization, accuracy, and decision-making are critical.
Required Qualifications
0-2 years of aviation industry experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of aviation education, training, or related operational experience.
Bachelor's degree in Aviation, Aviation Management, Aeronautics, or a related field is highly preferred.
Experience in operations, logistics, aviation, travel, supply chain, customer operations, or a related field.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.
Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Ability to follow established procedures, policies, and operational controls.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Confidence working across multiple systems and technologies simultaneously.
Flexibility to work rotating schedules within a 24/7 global operation.
Preferred Qualifications
Exposure to aviation operations, dispatch, trip support, flight planning, airport operations, customer support, or logistics.
Passion for aviation and global operations.
Experience working in customer-facing operational environments.
Demonstrated ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
Who Thrives in This Role?
The most successful team members are operational problem-solvers who remain calm under pressure and make thoughtful decisions when circumstances change quickly.
You may be a great fit if you:
Think critically before acting and consider urgency, risk, and business impact when making decisions.
Enjoy solving complex operational challenges.
Can balance multiple priorities without sacrificing accuracy.
Understand the importance of following procedures and escalation processes.
Take ownership of situations and see them through to resolution.
Communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders.
Thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Stay organized and focused when managing time-sensitive situations.
Personal Characteristics
Calm and resilient under pressure.
Operationally focused