Aircraft Mechanic

General Job Information

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, ; Given that distinction, The Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short and long term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and savings options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at:

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Homeland Security Bureau (HSB), Special Operations Division (SOD), Air Support Unit (ASU). The ASU maintains and certifies all aircraft for suitability. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the air worthiness of departmental aircrafts by performing a wide array of work involving aviation maintenance and repairs.

This Aircraft Mechanic position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Ensures the airworthiness of MPD aircraft, including disassembly, repair, overhaul, inspection, and modification of helicopters, to include major assemblies, sub-assemblies, components, and related systems.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all inspections and airworthiness directives as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the aircraft manufacturer.
• Conducts inspections, diagnoses malfunctions, and troubleshoots to determine aircraft malfunction and other technical problems.
• Performs operational checks of systems using external power sources, powered ground equipment or functional tests.
• Removes, disassembles, inspects, repairs, adjusts, overhauls, modifies, reassembles, and installs or replaces major assemblies, sub-assemblies, components and systems, such as, hydraulic pump assemblies, main and tail rotor assemblies, drive shafts, transmissions, gearboxes, and other powertrain units, cooling fan assemblies, control valves, etc. Installs, connects and adjusts fuel, electrical and hydraulic systems.
• Applies theory, operation, and integration of all mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and other operating systems to troubleshoot malfunctions from pilots and flight crew reports of any discrepancies; as well as from observations during inspections and run-ups.
• Applies the start­ up, operation, shutdown, and emergency procedures for the systems and the aircraft to determine symptoms of normal and abnormal operation, inter-relationships between operating systems, and any applicable safety procedures to prevent damage to equipment or injury to personnel.
• Interprets technical data and guidelines, makes recommendation for additions to guidelines and the safety and housekeeping of the aircraft and work area; recognizes unsafe maintenance conditions and grounds aircraft when appropriate.
• Installs and aligns fuselage and airframe parts; builds up, balances, aligns, and installs main and tail rotor assemblies. Performs temporary and permanent repairs to airframes and operates ground-handling equipment to move aircraft around the work and flight line areas.
• Determines when to assign aircraft to the vendor for repairs and replacements; performs a quality assurance check to ensure that work is done correctly and aircraft is ready to return to service.
• Accompanies the ASU crew to outside maintenance facilities when needed.
• Performs pre-flight, daily and post-flight inspections and conducts operational checks on aircraft systems, to include accompanying pilot on test flights of aircraft to make visual and audio checks of the aircraft. Performs operational ground checks, makes final adjustments, tracks main and tail rotor blades, adjusts the pitch of blades, checks oil, fuel pressure, and vibration and makes required adjustments as necessary.
• Attends all mandatory aircraft inspection and repair training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Skill and a thorough knowledge of the make-up, operation, interrelationships, and installation of a variety of rotary wing aircraft systems, assemblies, structures, and surfaces.
• Skill to diagnose malfunctions throughout these systems, assemblies, and surfaces and determine whether repair or replacement is needed.
• Experience as a technical expert and authority as a helicopter mechanic.
• Skill in the removal, replacement, and adjustment of various systems, assemblies, surfaces, or any components/parts, and in functional testing.
• Skill in the use and readout of powered ground equipment, test stands, and cockpit instruments and gauges.
• Skill in the use of tools common to the aircraft trade to determine the extent of repairs.
• Experience in aircraft malfunctions and technical problems troubleshooting.
• Skill in connecting, meshing, aligning, and adjusting the surfaces, assemblies, and systems with one another.
• Proficient in the use of Tracware, Access Software AIRPAX, maintenance record software CALM, and aircraft log manager; Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements

Successful completion of a training program in airframe and powerplant mechanics, or similar, through the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) is required.

FAA Certified Mechanic in Airframe and Powerplant is required.

Education

Bachelor degree in a related field of study, preferred.

Work Experience

Three (3) years of relevant experience in Turbine Helicopter maintenance and repair is required.

Work Environment

Work is performed in varied settings and environmental conditions associated with flight line/airport/heliport/off base operations. Dirt, grease, and dust are often present. Aircraft fluids, such as oil and hydraulic fluids may irritate the eyes or skin. Flight line aircraft maintenance duty is inherently dangerous, and requires adherence to safety procedures. Mechanics are subject to cuts, bums, electrical shocks, strains, etc. Subject to exposure to high frequency and high-intensity noises that require wearing hearing protection.

Other Significant Factors

Promotion Potential:No Known Promotion Potential

This position operates within the confines of a 24/7 operation. Incumbent of this position is required to provide after-hours on call technical support including weekends and holidays. Incumbent may also be subjected to rotating shifts, weekend work and changes in days off.

This position is deemed as “Safety Sensitive” pursuant to Chapter 4 of the Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying security sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:

• Criminal background check;
• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

A background investigation is required for positions with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.

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