Airport- Fleet Service Technician I

The City of Melbourne is looking for a hands-on Fleet Service Technician I to join its Airfield and Hangar team. This full-time, onsite role in Melbourne focuses on inspecting, repairing and maintaining a broad range of automotive vehicles and equipment used around the airport. The right person enjoys practical mechanical work, can manage routine tasks with some independence, and is eager to grow into more specialized diagnostic work over time under the guidance of the Airfield Supervisor.

The position sits in the airport’s fleet services program, supporting automotive and equipment maintenance for airfield operations. The city posts a clear salary range of 48,719 to 78,317 USD per year, reflecting experience and certifications. A Florida driver’s license is required, and applicants with out-of-state licenses must obtain the Florida license within 10 days of starting. The role involves outdoor and indoor work, variable shifts, and the ability to handle physically demanding tasks as part of a growing maintenance program at the airport.

This job suits someone who wants to work in a structured, safety-focused environment where accuracy and teamwork matter. It’s a good fit if you’re comfortable learning on the job, enjoy collaborating with higher-level technicians, and want to build a foundation in aviation-related vehicle maintenance and airfield operations.

A day on the apron and in the shop

Under the Airfield Supervisor, you’ll perform a mix of inspection, general repair, and routine servicing on a variety of vehicles and equipment, applying practical mechanical and basic electrical knowledge. You’ll start with tasks that don’t require deep diagnostics while gradually learning to use more specialized tools and taking on increasingly independent assignments. Your days may include safety checks, simple hydraulic work, belt and hose changes, and prepping equipment for service or auction, along with minor preventive maintenance like oil changes, fluid services, tire and battery work, and bulb replacements. You’ll also help ready sedans, trucks, and construction gear for initial service and for auction, and you’ll drive and test vehicles as needed, including road tests.

As you gain experience, you’ll assist more senior technicians with maintenance on trucks and heavy equipment and help ensure airfield operations run smoothly. On-the-job duties expand to include road testing, coordinating repair tasks with several teams, and supporting the ongoing inspections of airport facilities. The work often involves both shop environments and outdoor areas on ramp, taxiways and aircraft parking zones, with a focus on safety, accuracy and timely completion of service orders.

The toolkit you’ll need to bring

You’ll need a combination of formal education, hands-on experience and the right certifications to qualify. A high school diploma or GED is essential, and you should bring at least two years of progressively responsible fleet or auto maintenance experience. The role requires the ability to perform all duties of an Equipment Mechanic, and a valid Florida Driver’s License is mandatory; if you hold an out-of-state license, you must obtain the Florida license within 10 days of employment. You should also be capable of lifting more than 50 pounds. Certification is a core part of progression here, with a path that includes completing four ASE certifications in either the A-Series automotive track or the M/Heavy Truck (T-Series) track; the recommended combinations include A1–A8 or T2, T4, T6 along with EVTCC ARFF pathway elements, depending on the track. After obtaining the required certifications, there’s a minimum one-year period to prove proficiency before advancement can be recommended by the supervisor.

Nice-to-haves that help you stand out

Welding skills are preferred, as they complement the repair work across a wide range of vehicle types. Experience with fleet management software or airport-specific systems can also help you hit the ground running. Familiarity with aviation radio procedures and two-way radio communications, including the phonetic alphabet, is useful for coordinating with the Air Traffic Control Tower and ground control during on-site operations.

Pay, benefits and practical details

The role pays between 48,719 and 78,317 USD per year and is full-time and onsite in Melbourne. The job involves working on outdoor and indoor sites, shop locations and field locations, with exposure to varied weather, dust, chemicals, exhaust, noise and other typical airport environments. You may be asked to work across different shifts as assigned and to participate in night work or emergency responses when needed. The physical demands include lifting up to 50 pounds, standing, climbing stairs and ladders, and working in areas that require good vision and manual dexterity. Safety gear such as safety shoes, glasses and face shields, ear protection and protective clothing may be required, depending on the task. The description also notes that the work environment may include heat, uneven terrain and the need to operate equipment on airport grounds, with standard safety practices in place.

Tips for applicants

Highlight your four ASE certifications front and center on your resume if you have A-Series (A1–A8) or four M/H Truck (T-Series) credentials. This set of qualifications is a core gatekeeper for this role, so place concrete examples of those certifications near the top of your application materials to show you meet the bar.

Show concrete fleet maintenance experience with outcomes. Instead of listing duties, share specifics like how you performed preventative maintenance on trucks or recovered a vehicle after a fault and what tools you used. If you’ve worked with basic hydraulic systems or performed routine safety checks, mention the scenarios and the results you achieved, including any road tests you ran.

Be ready to discuss the developmental period after certification. The job describes a minimum one-year period before potential advancement, so you should be prepared to talk about how you’ll track progress, what milestones you’d expect to hit, and how you’d demonstrate independence in more complex tasks as you grow into the role.

Plan a thoughtful question for the interview about the certification path and advancement. For example, you could ask which certification route the team prioritizes for this position, how the city supports ongoing training, and what the criteria look like for moving from the Auto Mechanic classification to the next level after the developmental period.