Airport Technician-26700108

County of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Diego is hiring an Airport Technician for the Department of Public Works - Airports. The role encompasses maintenance, repair, and technical duties across airport facilities, grounds, and equipment to ensure safe, efficient operations at Gillespie Field and surrounding sites.

Minimum qualifications include two years of general construction with electrical emphasis or one year in electrical systems maintenance on airport infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Two years of general construction experience with emphasis on electrical work and heavy equipment.
• One year of experience maintaining electrical systems and airport infrastructure.
• Experience inspecting/maintaining airport lighting systems and pavements is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, repair, and technical work on airport facilities, grounds, and equipment.
• Operate equipment such as dump trucks and loaders as needed.
• Assist with inspections and tests as part of daily duties.

Skills

Electrical work

Construction

Heavy equipment operation

Maintenance

Tools

Airport Lighting Tools

Electrical Tools

Dump Truck

Loader

Job description

Excellent Career Opportunity County of San Diego

Department of Public Works - Airports

AIRPORT TECHNICIAN

Practicals and interviews will begin the week of week October 26, 2026

The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate’s qualifications at time of appointment.

Future Salary Increase

** June 2027 – 2.90% increase to base pay

The following additional pay incentives and premiums are available

Airport Technicians shall be paid $0.25 per hour premium for operating a motor sweeper.

The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Airport Technician to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Works. The Airport Technician is a journey level job class responsible for performing a wide variety of maintenance, repair, and technical work on airport facilities, grounds, and equipment.

Additional information on the County's Department of Public Works Airports can be found here.

Hiring Process and Timeline

I. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.

II. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.

III. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Two (2) years of experience performing general construction work with emphasis on electrical work, structural/facilities repair, and heavy equipment operation with a public or private agency, company, or organization; OR,
• 2. One (1) year of experience performing maintenance of electrical systems and airport infrastructure on a public or military airfield.

Desirable Experience

Experience in inspecting and maintaining airport lighting systems and pavements at an air traffic-controlled airport.

Driver's Licenses

• A valid California Class B driver's license with a tank endorsement and without transmission or air brake restrictions is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment in this class.
• A valid California Class A license with a tank endorsement and without transmission or air brake restrictions must be acquired within six (6) months of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment in this class. Employees in this class are subject to random drug testing per DOT guidelines.

Read all about the Airport Technician job classification including minimum qualifications, examples of duties, essential functions, etc.

Practical Examination

The Practical Examination will take place at Gillespie Field, 1960 Joe Crosson Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020. Invited applicants must appear in person to take this exam, which will take approximately two (2) hours to complete.

No make up sessions will be allowed for this examination. Please be prompt as latecomers may not be allowed to take the exam. Please be sure to wear outdoor work clothes including long pants, gloves, and protective boots during this exam.

NOTE: The County of San Diego, Department of Human Resources and the Department of Public Works reserve the right to re-schedule the Practical Examination to different dates, due to varying weather conditions and/or emergency/critical incidents.

The Practical Exam is designed to assess applicants' skills in using the following equipment:

• 1. Five-yard dump truck
• 2. Loader
• 3. Shovels and hand tools
• 4. Airport Lighting and Electrical Tools

In addition, the practical exam is designed to identify if the candidate possesses a valid California Class B (or higher) driver's license with a tank endorsement and without transmission or air brake restrictions. If you are invited to the practical exam, you must bring your license with you and present it upon request. Persons not possessing a California Class B license or higher with a tank endorsement and without transmission or air brake restrictions at the time of the practical exam will not be allowed to participate in the exam and will not continue.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.

Conditions of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based upon scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job, on a case-by-case basis.

Veteran’s Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read the Veteran's Preference Policy.

Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the Military Skills Translator to access the tool.

Strategic Plan

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Please see the Strategic Plan for more information.

Disaster Service Worker

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

Diversity & Inclusion

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.