Helicopter Rescue Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $101,940.80 - $122,990.40 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Varies by Position
Job Number: AG-T11875-202608
Business Area: 1912 - Fire-Rescue
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION
See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.
Helicopter Mechanic positions perform skilled and technical work including inspecting, repairing, overhauling, maintaining, servicing, and cleaning Bell 212/412 and Sikorsky UH-60/S70 helicopters; examine and interpret information received from pilots and/or from tests to make adjustments and/or repairs to the aircraft; troubleshoot identified problems; initiate corrective measures and verify the resolution of the problems; read and follow manufacturers' maintenance technical manuals, approved aircraft inspection programs, and Federal Aviation Association (FAA) airworthiness directives for the inspection, maintenance and repair activities of City helicopters; coordinate the ordering of parts and components; remove and replace small and large components; track components' service life limits (time); inspect or overhaul at predetermined calendar or flight hour limits utilizing computerized record keeping and component record cards; schedule overhauls and maintain aircraft records; maintain and coordinate calibration of all tools and test equipment; return the aircraft to service; perform daily inspection of airframe, engines and all specialized equipment to include, but not limited to, rescue hoists, fire fighting tank and hover fill system, and forward looking infrared camera system (FLIR); perform engine compressor washing in accordance with engine manufacturers' maintenance manual; attend aircraft and engine manufacturers' training and maintenance managers' conferences; and perform other duties as assigned.
NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increase is also scheduled to take effect for Helicopter Mechanic: 5% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• Helicopter Mechanic employees who operate commercial vehicles are required by California State Law, as a condition of employment, to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Prior to hire, a background check will be completed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and with former employers regarding drug and alcohol testing results.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.
EXPERIENCE: Five years of full-time experience maintaining and repairing Bell 212/412 and/or Sikorsky UH-60/S70 helicopters, which MUST include three years of full-time helicopter field maintenance. Two years of the five years must have been as an aircraft mechanic charged with completing major and minor repairs to return aircraft to service.
NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

CERTIFICATION: A valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's license.
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required at the time of hire.
NOTE:

• A valid California Class B Driver License with Hazardous Materials and Tank Endorsements is required within six months from date of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE:

• Possession of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspection Authorization certificate.
• Completion of the Bell Helicopter 212 or 412 initial maintenance training.
• Completion of Sikorsky UH60 or S70 initial maintenance training or military equivalent.
• Completion of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3DF initial maintenance training.
• Completion of General Electric T700/701 initial maintenance training or military equivalent.
• Completion of the UTAS/Goodrich initial hoist maintenance training.
• Experience in avionics installation and repair.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION):

• Proof of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's license.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

Required documents should be attached electronically to your application. If you are unable to attach at the time of application submittal, you must submit them as soon as possible via fax: (619) 533-3337; or to the Employment Information Center: City of San Diego Personnel Department, 1200 Third Avenue - Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92101. Include your name and the title of the position for which you are applying.
SCREENING PROCESS
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental questions will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in this initial screening process, your application will be reviewed for applicable education, experience, and/or training to ensure all minimum requirements have been met. Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.
Rev. 3 - August 14, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City's Police Academy, will participate in the City's Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations.
or review the
01
I understand that failure to respond to the following questions in the spaces provided may result in the rejection of my application. In addition, I may miss out on employment opportunities. Resumes are NOT reviewed for assessing the minimum requirements, qualifications will be determined from the answers provided to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02
Are you a current or former City of San Diego government/municipal employee?

• Current city employee
• Former city employee
• Current & former city employee
• None of the above

03
If you have previously worked or are currently working for the City of San Diego, please enter your PERNR.
04
The minimum age for this job is 18, unless you are 17 and a high school graduate. Do you meet the minimum age requirements for this job?

• Yes
• No

05
How many years of full-time experience do you have maintaining and repairing Bell 212/412 and/or Sikorsky UH-60/S70 helicopters?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

06
Which of the following helicopters do you have experience maintaining and repairing?

• Bell 212/412
• Sikorsky UH-60/S70
• None of the above

07
How many years of full-time experience do you have performing field maintenance on Bell 212/412 and/or Sikorsky UH-60/S70 helicopters?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

08
Which of the following helicopters do you have experience maintaining in the field (i.e., away from base)?

• Bell 212/412
• Sikorsky UH-60/S70
• None of the above

09
Describe experience maintaining and repairing Bell 212/412 and/or Sikorsky UH-60/S70 helicopters which includes full-time field maintenance. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
10
How many years of full-time experience do you have as an aircraft mechanic charged with completing major and minor repairs to return aircraft to service?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years or more

11
Describe your full-time experience as an aircraft mechanic charged with completing major and minor repairs to return aircraft to service. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
12
I understand that a valid California Class B Driver License with Hazardous Materials and Tank Endorsements is required within six months from date of hire.

• Yes
• No

13
Indicate which of the following certifications and/or trainings you have successfully completed? NOTE: Attach proof of licenses and/or certifications to your application.

• Posses a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic's license.
• Posses of a valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspection Authorization certificate.
• Completion of the Bell Helicopter 212 or 412 initial maintenance training.
• Completion of Sikorsky UH-60 or S70 initial maintenance training or military equivalent.
• Completion of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-3DF initial maintenance training.
• Completion of General Electric T700/701 initial maintenance training or military equivalent.
• Completion of the UTAS/Goodrich initial hoist maintenance training.
• None of the above.

14
Describe your experience in avionics installation and repair. Specify from which employer the experience was gained, your title, level of responsibility, percent of time spent performing the duties and the total length of your experience. If you do not have any experience in this area, write "None."
Required Question