Helicopter/Fixed Wing A&P Lead Mechanic – California

Heli Preflight; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Barbara Fire Department is seeking an Aircraft Mechanic Lead in the Santa Ynez Valley, CA. You will lead maintenance and inspections to ensure airworthiness on multiple platforms and provide senior guidance to a team of mechanics.

Requires FAA Airframe and Powerplant ratings and 3+ years of post-certification turbine helicopter experience, with FAA I/A eligibility within a year. Occasional travel and off-hours work are required.

Qualifications

• Valid FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant Ratings (14 CFR 65).
• Three years of post-certificate turbine helicopter repair/maintenance experience or equivalent.
• Ability to obtain FAA Inspection Authorization within one year.

Responsibilities

• Lead aircraft maintenance operations and coordinate activities to ensure airworthiness.
• Perform inspections and provide technical guidance to mechanics.
• Travel up to 14 days for incident support as needed; work nights, weekends, holidays.

Skills

FAA Mechanic Certificate

Airframe & Powerplant

Leadership

Team coordination

Job description

Company: County of Santa Barbara Fire DepartmentLocation: Santa Ynez, California, USAType: PermanentSalary Range: $101,504.00 – $123,379.36

Description

The County of Santa Barbara’s Air Support Unit is accepting applications to fill a full-time Aircraft Mechanic Lead vacancy in the Santa Ynez Valley, California.

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.

The Air Support Unit (ASU) 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. Although this is a joint unit, vacancies are attached to either the Santa Barbara County Fire Department or the Sheriff’s Office.

This vacant position is attached to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

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.

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.

Job Requirements:

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 (3) 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.

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.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: October 17, 2025 AT 5:00 PM PST

Answering the Call Since 1926The Santa Barbara County Fire Department is a progressive, multi-mission public safety agency with a rich tradition and history. We stand ready to serve the people of this world-renown area with professionalism, dedication…

Supported Manufacturers:

Bell, Sikorsky, BlackHawk

Supported Models:

HH-60L, UH-1H, UH 1N, OH-58 and Cesna 206