HELICOPTER MECHANIC O 2024/04/26 C (REVISED 05-01-26)

Helicopter Mechanic

Watch the video below for a personal invitation from the Chief of Maintenance to apply for this opportunity!

Annual salary: $126,428 (flat-rated). A 5.5% bonus is paid for possessing an FAA Inspection Authorization. Some positions require night work, for which a higher salary is paid. A 2.75% bonus is paid for working on Heavy Duty Equipment.

A Helicopter Mechanic inspects, repairs, overhauls, services, cleans and returns all City-owned helicopters to service. Helicopter Mechanics must be available to work weekends and holidays.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

Three years of full-time paid experience, two years of which must have been within the past three years, as an FAA Certified Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic engaged in performing maintenance and alterations on at least one or more of the following turbine powered helicopters: Bell 429, Bell 505 series, Bell 412, Airbus AS 350 Series (EC130), and/or Leonardo AW 139; or Five years of Active Duty Military experience in a Helicopter Maintenance trade in the last seven years and in possession of an FAA Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic Certificate.

As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

Applicants must submit a valid mechanical certificate with Airframe and Power Plant ratings issued by the Federal Aviation Administration at the time of filing. The copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their DD-214-1 at the time of filing. The copy of the DD-214-1 must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the copy is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the DD-214-1 at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

In addition to the regular City application, all applicants must complete the Helicopter Mechanic Qualifications Questionnaire at the time of filing. The Helicopter Mechanic Qualifications Questionnaire is located within the Supplemental Questions Section of the City application. Applicants who fail to complete the Qualifications Questionnaire will not be considered further in this examination, and their application will not be processed.

Applicants employed as a Helicopter Mechanic with the City of Los Angeles are required to furnish their own hand tools.

Helicopter Mechanics will be required to travel to attend factory training as needed by the repair station.

Experience in the following areas is highly desired, but not required:

• Electrical and mechanical repair and troubleshooting
• Engine repair and troubleshooting
• Sheet metal repair and fabrication
• Composite materials repair and fabrication
• Component overhaul and/or repair
• Helicopter vibration analyzation and correction

Selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training. Only persons possessing the following at the time of filing may be considered for appointment to fill such positions:

1. Performing FAR Part 91 or Part 135 required inspections, and
2. Approving aircraft for return to service in accordance with FAR 43.9 or 43.11, or
3. Completion of the City of Los Angeles Helicopter Mechanic Training Program.

Those individuals that desire to be considered for Selective Certification as described above, must respond to the Selective Certification Questionnaire at the time of filing. The Selective Certification Questionnaire is located within the Supplemental Questions section of the City application. Applicants who fail to complete the Selective Certification Questionnaire will not be considered further in selective certification.

Applicants that desire to be considered for Selective Certification #3 must attach a copy of their City of Los Angeles Helicopter Mechanic Training Program certificate of completion to the on-line application at the time of filing. The certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered for this part of selective certification.

Where To Apply & Application Deadline

Applications will only be accepted on-line on the dates listed in the "Application Deadline" section of this bulletin. When you are viewing the on-line job bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply" icon. On-line job bulletins are also available at

The examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. For administrative purposes, filing may close periodically and reopen the following day.

Selection Process

Examination weight: Interview 100%. The examination will consist entirely of an interview. In the interview, the following competencies may be evaluated: Mechanical Aptitude; Interpersonal Skills; Oral Communication; Written Communication; Reading Comprehension, including: how to read and interpret blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and technical manuals related to helicopters; Safety Focus, including knowledge of: safety techniques, practices, and procedures related to helicopter maintenance and repair work performed in a shop or in the field; Cal/OSHA regulations regarding the proper use of personnel protective equipment (PPE) while performing helicopter maintenance and repair work; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: helicopter maintenance and repair work; helicopter inspection methods; operation and preventative maintenance requirements for helicopters; electrical systems and components as they relate to helicopter maintenance and repair work; Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations concerning aircraft maintenance, inspections, and repair work; tools, equipment, and materials commonly used by aircraft mechanics; diagnostic equipment or programs for helicopters sufficient to properly assess mechanical issues and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

As part of the overall evaluation of candidates' job qualifications, the interview board members will consider the information in the candidates' Qualifications Questionnaire. Candidates may expect the interviewers to discuss this information with them during their interview.

Additional information can be obtained by going to and clicking on Competencies under Helicopter Mechanic.

Candidates will be notified by e-mail of the date, time, and location of the interviews, which may be held in Los Angeles or on-line.

This examination is based on a validation study.

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at (Download PDF reader).

Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.

A final average score of 70% or higher is required to be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1994, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.

Because this class has been designated as Safety Sensitive in accordance with City Policy, a drug and alcohol screening test may be required prior to appointment and during appointment.

Your rank on the eligible list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of the examination are merged onto one list.

Your name may be removed from the open competitive list after 6 months.

You may take the Helicopter Mechanic examination only once every 18