Fire Vehicle Maintenance Intern

Fire Vehicle Maintenance Intern

Salary

$39,891.38 Annually

Location

Oxnard, and may be required to travel throughout Ventura County, CA

Job Type

Extra Help

Job Number

0237FPD-26AB (JW)

Department

Fire Protection District

Opening Date

10/16/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

THE POSITION

The Ventura County Fire Department's Fire Vehicle Maintenance Internship program is designed for students interested in beginning a career supporting our unique fleet of automotive, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles. Interns gain hands-on experience while working within our Vehicle Maintenance Unit (VMU).

Under close supervision and in a trainee capacity, interns assist mechanics in the VMU with technical work on gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles, construction equipment, and fire engines. The work provides practical experience in diagnosing and repairing engines, electronic systems, and various components found in automotive, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidates will be currently enrolled in a college or technical school specializing in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology or similar program and will demonstrate a commitment to learning while providing the highest level of service.

PAYROLL TITLE: Student Worker III

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Student Workers may be employed for a maximum period of three (3) years. During this time, they may work up to 3,120 total hours, with no more than 1,040 hours per year.

Applications are reviewed on a continual basis as departments submit requests, meaning they are evaluated only as vacancies arise.

Candidates who successfully complete the application evaluation process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of six (6) months. Placement on the eligible list does not guarantee an interview or indicate that immediate openings are available.

Candidates will not be placed on the eligible list until proof of enrollment in an academic, technical, college, or university program has been submitted.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Extra-Help vacancies. There are two (2) anticipated vacancies. Extra-Help positions are not eligible for benefits.

Hiring managers are not required to interview every candidate referred to them. Selection factors may include education, training, experience, and work availability.

NOTE: Student Worker III is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as extra-help.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

OPENING DATE: Friday, October 9, 2026

CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at anytime

FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Week of October 26, 2026 and subsequent reviews are contingent on vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

In a training capacity:

• Assists in performing preventative maintenance services and safety inspections on vehicles, heavy construction equipment, and fire engines in the shop and field. May also assist in the service and repair of gas powered chain saws, mowers and other small equipment, generator sets and breathing air compressors;
• Replaces fan belts, brakes, filters, air cleaners, shock absorbers, mufflers and similar parts, adjusts brakes, tracks and clutches; and steam cleans vehicles, equipment, tools and components;
• Makes minor mechanical repairs and adjustments, assists mechanics in the overhaul and repair of vehicles and heavy equipment; and may perform engine tune-ups;
• Uses computer equipment for engine transmission and brake diagnostics;
• Writes reports, enters and retrieves data;
• Prepares and maintains service and repair records. Operates vehicles and equipment as necessary during servicing and repairs;
• Uses test equipment, grinders, hoists and other shop tools;
• Performs simple welding in repair of vehicles and fabrication of equipment attached to vehicles;
• Removes and replaces body components, such as lights, mirrors, bumpers, mud flaps, tailgates and seats. May perform minor body repair and do spot painting;
• Balances and repairs tires;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

No experience is required.

Students must provide proof that they are enrolled in:

• at least nine (9) units of academic/technical college or university courses at the undergraduate level, OR
• at least six (6) units at the graduate level.

Student Worker IIIs may work during the summer upon providing evidence that they:

• were enrolled in at least nine (9) units in the previous spring session, OR
• are enrolled in at least nine (9) units for the next fall session, OR
• are enrolled in at least three (3) units of summer courses.

High school graduates may be hired as Student Worker IIIs upon providing proof of graduation.

NOTE: Audits of class enrollment will be routinely completed to ensure minimum requirements are being met.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach, twist, and lift heavy objects up to 50lbs.

DESIRED

Must either possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid California driver license by the date of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Some knowledge of: operation and basic theory of diesel and gasoline engines; fuel, ignition and electrical systems pertaining to vehicles, apparatus and construction equipment; and basic theory of hydraulics, air and liquid cooling systems, tire and tube repairing and vulcanizing equipment.

Some skill in: using shop, fabrication, and testing equipment.

Ability to: follow oral instructions; perform tasks requiring physical exertion and manual dexterity; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application and proof of class enrollment must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply online, please refer to our web site at hr.venturacounty.gov/. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above referenced sections; however, it may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicants qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the removal of the application from further consideration. It is highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are complete with care and diligence. Responses such as "See Resume" or "Refer to Resume" are not acceptable and may disqualify an applicant from further evaluation.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying

All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Jeff Weaver by email at jeff.weaver@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 388-4234.

None Assigned.

01

Which statement best describes your current enrollment status in academic/technical college/university courses.

• Currently enrolled in at least nine (9) units of academic/technical college or university courses at the undergraduate level.
• Currently enrolled in at least six (6) units at the graduate level.
• Graduated high school in previous Spring.
• Enrolled in at least nine (9) units in previous Spring.
• Enrolled in at least the (3) units in Summer session.
• Enrolled in at least nine (9) units in next Fall session.
• None of the above.

02

Please list the automotive program coursework you are currently enrolled in or completed during the previous semester.

If you do not have this experience, type "no experience."

03

You are required to submit proof of enrollment in the required coursework for this recruitment. Please indicate the method of submission by selecting one of the options below.

• A copy of my proof of enrollment is attached to my online application.
• I will email a copy of my transcripts to JoinVCFD@venturacounty.gov before 5:00pm on the closing date.
• I do not have and/or cannot submit a copy of student enrollment by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. I understand that this means that I will not be considered further in the recruitment process.

04

Please describe why you are an ideal candidate for this program. In your response, be sure to include the following:

Your career goals

A summary of your accomplishments which have prepared you to be successful in this program.

How your experience aligns with the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) listed in this job bulletin.

05

Do you currently possess, or are you able to obtain and maintain, a valid and unrestricted California driver license by date of hire?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you able to perform the following essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation: sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, stooping, reaching, twisting, and lifting heavy objects up to 50lbs, with or without reasonable accommodations?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Ventura County

Address 800 S. Victoria Avenue

LOC. #1970

Ventura, California, 93009

Phone (805) 654-5129

Website http://hr.venturacounty.gov