Aircraft Mechanic / Senior Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft Mechanic - Annual Salary Range – $81,660.00 – $99,216.00

Senior Aircraft Mechanic – Annual Salary Range:   $97,356.00 – $118,356.00

The Senior Aircraft Mechanic leads and performs skilled, technical work in the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repair of City-owned helicopters and related equipment in accordance with Federal Aviation rules and regulations, aircraft manufacturer’s guidelines, and Police Department policies and procedure.  This is an advanced journey level position and is distinguished from the Aviation Mechanic class in that the senior level has responsibility for providing lead direction over lower-level mechanics, schedules and estimates work to be performed, works directly with vendors and contractors, maintains logbooks and related maintenance records, and monitors inventory of equipment, parts, and materials.

The Senior Aircraft Mechanic receives general supervision from the Police Sergeant (Aviation Unit Supervisor). Exercises lead direction over Aircraft Mechanics, as assigned.

• Perform journey-level, skilled, technical work in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of helicopters and related equipment.
• Evaluate work to be performed in terms of time required, parts needed, and costs involved.
• Perform aircraft, engine and systems inspections, service and repairs in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations, manufacturer's manuals, notices and bulletins.
• Diagnose and repair maintenance discrepancies on airframe, engine, transmission, rotor systems, gearboxes, control assemblies, instrumentation, accessories, electrical and related systems and equipment.
• Participate as crew member in aircraft maintenance check flights to aid in aircraft troubleshooting and diagnostics.
• Set up and operate vibration analyzer, bar field tester and other electrical and electronic testing equipment to evaluate rotor and other components and perform related repairs.
• Conduct flights with pilots to observe and record findings and/or participate in test flights.
• Perform maintenance on aircraft, lead acid batteries, including capacity tests and deep cycle charging.
• Perform maintenance on facility fuel system equipment, order fuel and manage fuel deliveries.
• Enter data into logbooks and related maintenance records and forms in a neat and efficient manner.
• Assist in maintaining the inventory of necessary equipment, parts and materials.

Senior Aircraft Mechanic duties may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Schedule, lead, and participate in the journey-level, skilled, technical work in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of helicopters, and related equipment; maintain underground fuel storage tank.

• Perform aircraft, engine, and systems inspections, service, and repairs in accordance with the manufacturer’s manuals, notices, and bulletins, and Airworthiness Directives as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Diagnose and repair maintenance discrepancies on airframe, engine, transmission, rotor systems, gear boxes, control assemblies, instrumentation, accessories, electrical, and related systems and equipment; oversee and inspect work done by other subordinate mechanics.
• Participate and provide technical expertise in helicopter check flights to aid in aircraft troubleshooting and diagnostics.
• Perform deep-cycle maintenance on batteries.
• Maintain, edit, and update logbooks and related maintenance records and forms in a neat and efficient manner.
• Maintain the inventory of necessary equipment, parts, and materials; ensure the procurement of suitable parts, materials, fuel, and oil to keep the helicopter and aircraft fleet operational.
• Evaluate maintenance work to be performed in terms of time required, parts needed, and costs involved; facilitate the completion of work within established guidelines, deadlines, and limitations.
• Assist, support, and participate with the preparation of the Aviation Unit budget; provide aircraft related information for potential purchases, sales, and general field questions.
• Lead, train, and assist in the evaluation of subordinates.
• Engage with vendors and contractors, build and establish strong working relationships, and facilitate strong partnerships; facilitate all building work order requests and major projects around the hangar.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Methods, principles, techniques, tools, materials, publications, and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of helicopters.
• Principles and characteristics of helicopter engines and systems operations.
• Mechanical and electrical maintenance and care.
• Aircraft maintenance record keeping and reporting procedures.
• City policies and procedures.
• Participating routine and emergency maintenance and repair of helicopter engines, systems, and related equipment.
• Locating difficulties and performing required major and minor mechanical, hydraulic, or electronic repair work.
• Scheduling, leading, and participating in the routine and emergency maintenance and repair of helicopter engines, systems, and related equipment.
• Inspecting and locating difficulties and performing required major and minor mechanical, hydraulic, or electronic repair work.
• Using a variety of tools and equipment with journey level skill.
• Maintaining a variety of shop and service records.
• Operating a personal computer
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Customer Service

• Experience in the inspection, repair, and maintenance of AS350.

     Education: High School graduation or satisfactory equivalent (GED). Successful completion of a factory helicopter or aircraft maintenance training course is highly desirable.

     Experience: Four years of journey level experience in the inspection, repair, and maintenance of helicopters, aircraft, and related equipment.

Aircraft and Senior Aircraft Mechanic - Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Airframe and Power plant Mechanic’s License as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid class “C” California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
• Possession of a valid inspection Authorization Certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration is highly desirable.
• Successful completion of a polygraph and background investigation.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Work is performed in a variety of environmental conditions, indoors and out, with exposure to wide temperature variations, noise, vibrations, fumes, grease and oils, machinery, aircraft, helicopter, and their moving parts, odors and dust. Physical demands require bending, stooping and frequent heavy lifting of moderately heavy objects weighing up to fifty pounds. Incumbent must be able to see and hear in the normal range with or without correction

Salary : $81,660 - $118,356