Job Description Summary DEFINITION Under the general supervision of the Aviation Program Director and in collaboration with program faculty and the Dean of Skilled Trades & Technology/Health & Wellness, provide technical assistance, shop maintenance, department airplane repair, and equipment maintenance in support of the Aviation program, and perform other related duties as required within the program.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This position is distinguished from other Laboratory Technician classes in that incumbents must be knowledgeable in aviation areas and the use of aviation-related equipment, and be able to maintain related equipment and materials.
Incumbents in this position promote student learning outcomes and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) support by ensuring that instructional labs are well-maintained and equipped with tools and equipment that assist the students.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Where You Will Work Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.
Who We Are Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.
- Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
- The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
- Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
- We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html
Essential Functions & Qualifications
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Ensure repaired or tested parts meet strict safety and regulatory standards;
- Diagnose and repair malfunctioning parts or systems at a component level;
- Disassemble, clean, inspect, repair, and reassemble parts according to specifications;
- Conduct quality checks and assist in process improvements;
- Calibrate tools and test equipment to ensure accuracy;
- Maintain accurate records of inspections, tests, maintenance actions, and parts usage;
- Interpret and follow technical manuals, schematics, and blueprints;
- Perform aviation lab/simulation shop maintenance, support, and repairs;
- Assist with the development of the department budget, as required;
- Maintain equipment logs;
- Order and maintain adequate instructional supplies for the department and maintain inventories as necessary to support student success;
- Inspect Aviation labs to be consistent with student activities and supervise installation of new and old equipment;
- Estimate the scope and cost of work assignments and select and order necessary tools and materials to complete job(s) while keeping within budget;
- Maintain and verify safe operation of department hand and power tools; ensure laboratories, supply rooms, lecture/demonstration areas, and any special purpose areas are maintained in an orderly and neat manner;
- Design, construct, assemble, adjust, test, and clean equipment and apparatus used in laboratory settings, demonstrations, and special projects;
- Repair and calibrate complex instruments and equipment;
- Maintain HazMat documentation and storage practices;
- Inspect, identify, and report unsafe facilities or equipment following FAA regulations;
- Assist in overall hangar cleanup and maintain a neat and orderly lab facility with the instructor;
- Operate hoists and other equipment; and
- Perform other related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Required
- Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth grade; and
- Completion of the FAA Airman Certification Standards for the General aviation maintenance subjects or equivalent.
Preferred
- Associate degree, from an accredited institution in related trades or technical area;
- Completion of the FAA Airman Certification Standards for Airframe and Powerplant.
Experience:
Required
- Demonstrated understanding of aircraft systems and technical drawings; and
- Demonstrated knowledge with aviation maintenance regulations (FAA, EASA, or military standards).
Knowledge of:
- Aviation repair;
- Material Safety Data Sheets;
- Safe working practices;
- Tools, materials, methods, and terminology used in Aviation areas;
- Methods and practices used in the maintenance of tools, machinery, and equipment;
- Safe working practices;
- Hazardous Communications Regulations - "Right to Know”;
- Fire Prevention, codes, and extinguishers;
- CPR and First Aid;
- Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
- Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and
- District policies and procedures.
Ability to:
- Prioritize and work independently on a variety of assignments;
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties; and
- Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
Physical ability to:
- Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
- Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;
- Work at heights;
- Ascend and descend a ladder;
- Bend, twist, push, pull, stoop, kneel and crawl;
- Reach in all directions;
- Sit or stand for extended periods;
- Lift 100 pounds and/or carry 50 pounds; and
- Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.
License and Certificates:
Required
- Valid driver’s license and eligible to obtain California driver’s license upon hire
Additional Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.
- Cover letter;
- Resume;
- Reference List (see further instructions below);
- Completion of the FAA Airman Certification Standards for the General aviation maintenance subjects or equivalent;
- Diversity statement (see further instructions below).
Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community. In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.
Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you. Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications. San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html Interview Process Information Selected applicants will be invited to attend an zoom interview on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Benefits
TO: New Employees
FROM: Human Resources
SUBJECT: Benefits for Classified & Management Employees
Cuesta College's Benefits website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Benefits/index.html
Employees who work half-time or more are entitled to receive fringe benefits. The fringe allocation is money from the District to help cover the cost of insurance. Employees working half-time or more are eligible to participate in the District's medical, dental and vision insurance.
Employees with a work assignment of 50% to 74% of full time will receive one-half of the above stated fringe allocation.
If your insurance rate exceeds your fringe allocation, the balance will be deducted from your monthly payroll check. If the insurance plans selected cost less than the fringe allocation, any excess amount will be returned to the District. For more information about how fringe benefits are determined please refer to the collective bargaining agreement between SLO Community College District and Cuesta College Classified United Employees (CCCUE) or the Board of Trustees policy regarding management employees.
If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 805-546-3129 or hr@cuesta.edu.
