We are accepting applications to fill a full-time Aircraft Mechanic Lead vacancy in Santa Ynez Valley for Santa Barbara County’s Air Support Unit.

The Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit is a joint unit between our Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office. This cohesive partnership allows responses to all hazard incidents. Examples of mission responses include, but are not limited to, wildland firefighting missions (water dropping, crew insertion, and long line), law enforcement flight operations, ocean and swift water rescue, search, medivac, hoisting, mountain and cliff rescue. The employment list for this job classification will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help (Temporary), and CSR (Civil Service Rule) 1414* vacancies.

*CSR 1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

POSITION: Under the direction of the Fire Battalion Chief, serves as the lead worker in aircraft maintenance operations by coordinating and performing aircraft maintenance and repair activities to ensure airworthiness and safe flight operations; conducts and documents aircraft inspections; provides technical guidance and oversight to aircraft mechanics; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This classification is distinguished from the Aircraft Mechanic classification by its responsibility for leading and coordinating the work of aircraft mechanics, providing technical direction to aircraft mechanics, and performing return-to-service inspections.

COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA - Employee Benefits and Compensation

Benefits and Wellness Plans - Medical/Dental/Vision: CLICK HERE
Compensation Summary: CLICK HERE
Retirement Plan: CLICK HERE

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

- Retirement reciprocity

- Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions.

IDEAL CANDIDATE POSSESSES:

A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
Integrity/good moral character
Initiative/self-starter
A strong team approach
Good judgment under pressure
Effective communication skills
Experience in repairing and maintaining Bell and Sikorsky helicopters

Fire Helicopter water Rescue.jpg

The Air Support Unit (ASU) is based in the center of Santa Barbara County at the Santa Ynez Airport andis staffed seven days a week. Although this is a joint unit, vacancies are attached to either the Santa Barbara County Fire Department or the Sheriff’s Office.

Department Information

FIRE DEPARTMENT: Click here to visit the website to learn more about the department.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Click here to visit the website to learn more about the department.

COSB ASU Chopper in Flight.jpg

The ASU currently has helicopters ready to respond to any emergency, day or night, rain or shine. Aircraft assigned to this unit consists of: Sikorsky HH-60L, Bell UH-1H, UH 1N, OH-58 and Cessna 206. Training in all aircraft is not required for applying, but the willingness to train and learn to be proficient on multiple platforms is highly desirable.

BACKGROUND DISQUALIFIERS:

An admission of having committed any act amounting to a felony within five years in California, or in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
An adult felony conviction in California, or with a conviction for an offense in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
Currently on Probation or Parole
Adult felony and/or misdemeanor conviction(s) may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and how recent
Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime
Recent use and/or possession of illegal drugs; Failure to reveal prior use will be disqualifying
Unfavorable work history
Poor credit history
History of committing domestic violence
Dishonesty or failure to reveal pertinent information

Examples of Duties

Plans, schedules, and performs maintenance on Air Support Unit (ASU) helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including work on airframes, engines, electrical systems, and rotor systems.
Leads and provides guidance to aircraft mechanics performing preventive maintenance, inspections, modifications, and repairs; ensures work complies with federal aviation regulations, manufacturer specifications, technical manuals, and industry standards.
Coordinates with pilots, including the ASU Chief Pilot, crew chiefs, and managers regarding aircraft status, availability, and maintenance needs.
Performs detailed return-to-service inspections to ensure airworthiness, compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, and adherence to safety standards; approves the return of aircraft to service after maintenance or repair conducted by other mechanics; and exercises authority to ground aircraft as needed.
Assists with the development of the aircraft maintenance budget; prioritizes maintenance projects based on timelines and unit priorities ensuring maximum safe aircraft availability.
Establishes and maintains a comprehensive record system documenting all maintenance, inspections, and repairs performed on each aircraft in accordance with FAA and manufacturer mandates.
Serves as a technical resource to other mechanics by advising on complex maintenance procedures, troubleshooting issues, and reviewing work to ensure quality and compliance with regulatory standards.
Identifies the need for tools, equipment, and consumable items that may increase the efficiency of the aviation unit.
Ensures the aviation unit hangar, work areas, and aircraft are maintained in a clean and safe condition and promotes adherence to safety protocols among team members.
Supports mechanic certification and licensing compliance by staying current with regulatory requirements and participating in relevant training.
May drive departmental vehicles to pick up and/or deliver parts or components; and may be required to participate in test flights.
May be assigned to drive fuel trucks, dispense fuel, and maintain records of fuel usage.

Employment Standards

Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant Ratings issued in accordance with 14 C.F.R. 65 subpart D, AND:

Three (3) years of post-certificate/ratings experience repairing, maintaining, and approving the return of turbine-powered helicopters to service; OR,
A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, certificate, and ratings.

NOTE: Three years of pre-certificate/ratings (military experience) repairing, maintaining, and approving the return of turbine-powered helicopters to service can be substituted for the required post-certificate/ratings experience.

Must obtain FAA Inspection Authorization certificate within one year of appointment.

Additional Qualifications:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.
Incumbents may have to obtain a California Class B Driver's License. If California Class B Driver's License is required, incumbent will also need to obtain hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements within one year of appointment.
Incumbents must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed and to travel to locations outside Santa Barbara County for periods of up to 14 days in support of incident activities.

Knowledge of: helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft maintenance, repair, and inspection techniques, including but not limited to airframe, engine, electrical, and rotor systems; tools equipment, and diagnostic instruments used in the maintenance and repair of aircraft; FAA regulations, manufacturer guidelines, and industry standards applicable to aircraft maintenance; recordkeeping practices related to aircraft maintenance, inspections, and repairs; and safety practices and procedures related to aircraft maintenance and hangar operations.

Ability to: provide technical guidance and lead the work of aircraft mechanics without formal supervisory authority; support to identification of staff training needs and assist with on-the-job instruction and mentoring; effectively coordinate and assign maintenance tasks in consideration of individual skill levels and operational needs; plan, schedule, and carry out maintenance projects to ensure work is done to satisfactory standard; diagnose mechanical malfunctions and identify maintenance and repair needs; work effectively with other staff members, pilots, and Sheriff management staff; work under the direction of the hangar supervisor; keep detailed records; make independent decisions related to airworthiness; work without close supervision; and organize and prioritize work.

Desirable Qualifications:

Experience performing maintenance and repairs on helicopter models and series currently operated by Santa Barbara County ASU: Bell OH58/206, Bell UH1H/UH1N/205/212, and Sikorsky Blackhawk Helicopters S70/UH60.
Experience performing maintenance and repairs on Cessna single engine fixed-wing aircraft.
Completion of helicopter factory maintenance education or other certified technical training programs, including military aviation maintenance training.
Possession of FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) Certificate.
Experience working in Part 145 Repair Station Operations.
One year of experience providing technical direction to a team of aircraft mechanics in a maintenance setting, including task coordination, troubleshooting support, and return-to-service inspection responsibilities.

Fire Helicopter in Action.jpg

Supplemental Information

Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B License will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): Candidates will be emailed a notice to complete a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline will result in disqualification from the selection process. Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will be invited to the next step in the selection process.
Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire examination to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Polygraph Examination; Live Scan and Background Investigation, which includes a conviction history check; and satisfactory Reference Checks.

Appointee must successfully complete the following:

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION will measure the accuracy of information disclosed on PHQ and background investigation process.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes an interview and in-depth background investigation of police records, personal and virtual character check, military, and employment histories; inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and is a safe driver.
LIVE SCAN: A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter.

Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by email during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities that may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Alexandria White, Fire HR Recruiter, at amwhite@countyofsb.org .

Agency County of Santa Barbara

Address 1226 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California, 93101

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty

Employer

County of Santa Barbara

Address

1226 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, California, 93101

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty

SALARY DETAILS:

$48.80 - $59.32 Hourly

$101,504.00 - $123,379.36 Annually

Plus Possible Additional Pay:

Overtime Pay is possible for this position.

Assigned Incident Pay: This position may be eligible for assigned 24/7 incident pay.

County of Santa Barbara

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Aircraft Mechanic Lead - Air Support Unit