Aircraft Mechanic Lead

Salary: $104,041.60 - $126,464.00 Annually
Location : Santa Ynez Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-0416-02 (O)
Department: Fire
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 4:59 PM Pacific

Description

SALARY DETAILS• Hourly Rate: $50.02 - $60.80
• Annual Salary Range: $104,041 - $126,464

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION POTENTIAL
• Overtime pay may be available for this position.
• Assigned Incident Pay: This role may be eligible for 24/7 incident assignment compensation.

New Hire Incentives: The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and at the discretion of the CEO, may provide sign-on incentives and/or time off advance accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.
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 with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. 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 recruitment will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help (Temporary), and CSR (Civil Service Rule) 1414* vacancies.
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.

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

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. 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.
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

Examples of Duties

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Coordinates with pilots, including the ASU Chief Pilot, crew chiefs, and managers regarding aircraft status, availability, and maintenance needs.
4. 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.
5. Assists with the development of the aircraft maintenance budget; prioritizes maintenance projects based on timelines and unit priorities ensuring maximum safe aircraft availability.
6. Establishes and maintains a comprehensive record system documenting all maintenance, inspections, and repairs performed on each aircraft in accordance with FAA and manufacturer mandates.
7. 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.
8. Identifies the need for tools, equipment, and consumable items that may increase the efficiency of the aviation unit.
9. 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.
10. Supports mechanic certification and licensing compliance by staying current with regulatory requirements and participating in relevant training.
11. May drive departmental vehicles to pick up and/or deliver parts or components; and may be required to participate in test flights.
12. 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:

1. Three (3) years of post-certificate/ratings experience repairing, maintaining, and approving the return of turbine-powered helicopters to service; OR,
2. 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.

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:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
2. 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.
Upon accepting a conditional offer of employment, the appointee must successfully PASS all of the following:

1. 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.
2. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION will measure the accuracy of information disclosed on Personal History Statement and background investigation process.
3. 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.
4. LIVE SCAN a Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice.
5. MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A medical examination shall commence upon acceptance of a conditional offer for employment You will be evaluated on the physical factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the physical requirements of the job.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.