Fire Helicopter Technician - Full-time

About the Department

This classification shall receive a 2.54% base salary adjustments effective May 1, 2026.

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is currently recruiting to create an eligibility list for the position of Fire Helicopter Technician in the Air Operations Section.

CLASS SUMMARY

Incumbents are responsible for performing journey level helicopter mechanic duties, which includes maintaining, repairing, inspecting, and testing fire helicopter and ground support equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Fire Helicopter Technician is the first level in a two level helicopter mechanic series.  The Fire Helicopter Technician is distinguished from the Senior Fire Helicopter Technician, which has supervisory responsibilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from the Senior Fire Helicopter Technician. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Position Duties

To view the entire classification specification including the essential functions, knowledge, and skills, please use the link provided below.

Minimum Qualifications

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.  

EDUCATION (position requirements at entry):

• High School Diploma, or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry):

• Two (2) years of directly related maintenance, repair, and inspection of Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Employees appointed on or after January 1, 2026 must possess or obtain within twelve (12) months of appointment, an unrestricted California Class A or Class B driver license. This license must be maintained throughout employment. 
  1. This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbents Driver License record and status. 
• Possession of, or successful acquisition by time of appointment, a valid California Class C driver license, to be maintained throughout employment. 
  1. This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbents Driver License record and status.
• Must possess at time of application a Valid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Certification.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bell 412ep, Sikorski S70/H60 experience
• Digital maintenance tracking/software experience
• Fire aviation operations experience

Other Qualifications

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• Last Day to Apply: Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
• Oral Interview: Week of February 16, 2026
• Selection Interview: TBD

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, fumes, gases, oils, workplace restrictions, intense noises, and travel. Required to support helicopters at remote locations during suppression operations.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the department.

PRE-HIRE REQUIREMENTS

Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION 

An applicant must submit, during the application filing period, an online application and attach any supplemental information as required in the job announcement which may include submitting responses to a supplemental questionnaire. Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement. The OCFA reserves the right to limit the number of online applications when necessary. Applicants are responsible for maintaining/updating their contact information through the online application system. 

SELECTION PROCEDURES 

INITIAL SELECTION REVIEW

Human Resources reviews all initial application materials to identify qualified applicants. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be invited to the first phase of the recruitment process. The OCFA reserves the right to refer only the better qualified applicants if the number of applicants is high. If the number of applicants is high, the review process may include a secondary screening (by a panel of job knowledge experts) of the applications and/or supplemental questionnaires in which the better qualified applicants are referred to the next phase of the recruitment process. Interviews will be held at OCFA Headquarters, 1 Fire Authority Road. Because recruitment processes vary, applicants are advised to thoroughly review the job announcement before submitting their online application materials.

TESTING

Testing for this position or any other position may include, but is not limited to the following: written exam, practical exam, panel interview, physical ability test, assessment center, oral presentation, project assignment, etc. If a revision is made to a testing component during a recruitment process, the assigned recruiter will notify by email all affected applicants.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCOMMODATION

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations for the purposes of employment testing should contact Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org at least 72 hours prior to any portion of the examination process.

RECRUITMENT/SELECTION PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

All recruitment/selection process and requirements will be held in accordance with the OCFA's Selection Rules, which are available for inspection upon request.

ELIGIBLE LIST

The duration of the Eligible List for this recruitment is one year, unless abolished by the Human Resources Director prior to the expiration. 

WITHDRAWING FROM RECRUITMENT PROCESS

If an applicant chooses to withdraw from this recruitment process, he/she is required to submit an email notification to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at dukesteppe@ocfa.org requesting a withdrawal from the process. The email to the recruiter must include the applicant's current phone number.

QUESTIONS

All questions regarding this recruitment should be directed to Duke Steppe, Human Resources Manager at (714) 573-6807 or dukesteppe@ocfa.org.

NOTE

The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER