Definition

Under direction, maintains, repairs, and overhauls automotive, construction, and other mechanical equipment; performs related duties as required. 

Class Characteristics

This journey level classification is the second working level in the equipment mechanic classification series, and is characterized by the responsibility to work primarily on diesel equipment as well as gasoline powered engines.  Incumbents report to the Lead Automotive Equipment Mechanic.  Assignments and objectives are set and established work processes are to be followed.  Work review is occasional, during progress or upon completion of assignment, usually upon employee initiation or receipt of customer comment.  Heavy Equipment Mechanic is distinguished from Automotive Equipment Mechanic by the size and complexity of the equipment being maintained, repaired, and overhauled; by the additional responsibility to maintain, repair, and overhaul diesel engines; and by the level of technical knowledge necessary to work on all equipment in the City's equipment fleet.  Incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as protective ear devices, hard-toed shoes, respirators, and protective clothing, some of which may be uncomfortable to wear or use, and may be worn for long periods.  In addition the incumbent must be familiar with the proper handling and disposing of hazardous materials and Material Safety Data Sheets.

Essential Functions

• Completes service orders to maintain, repair, and overhaul light and heavy vehicles and equipment such as fire engines and pump systems, fire trucks including large trailer aerial ladder trucks, gang mowers, aerial work platforms, and construction equipment such as loaders, graders, dump trucks, back hoes, asphalt trucks, trailers, rollers, street sweepers, air compressors, off road equipment, and motorcycles.
• Performs preventive maintenance services and tune-ups on internal combustion engines.
• Repairs major engine components such as valves, pistons, crank and cam shafts, etc.
• Repairs and/or replaces clutches, automatic and standard transmissions, differentials, gears, bearings, universal joints, and hydraulic units.
• Removes, repairs, adjusts, or replaces major and minor vehicle or equipment components including air conditioning systems, electrical systems, cooling systems, electronic systems, fuel systems, smog systems, drive train, hydraulic systems, air brake systems, diesel and internal gasoline engines, transmissions, carburetors, fuel pumps, starter motors, distributors, generators, alternators, switches, batteries.
• Uses an electronic engine analyzer, exhaust emission analyzer, oscilloscope, and related diagnostic equipment to diagnose problems in all systems.
• Responds to requests for emergency road service.
• Makes emergency repairs in the field.
• Test drives vehicles.
• May perform gas and electric welding, and metal fabrication.
• Road test equipment.
• Road test light and heavy equipment.
• Repairs, rotates, and balances tires.
• Conducts smog checks on vehicles.
• Cleans work areas and related shop facilities.

Marginal Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:  The principles and operation of internal combustion gasoline and diesel engines; the maintenance, repair, and overhaul requirements of light and heavy vehicles, such as fire engines, pump systems, fire trucks including large tillered aerial ladder trucks, gang mowers, aerial work platforms and construction equipment such as loaders, graders, dump trucks, back hoes, asphalt trucks, trailers, rollers, street sweepers, air compressors, and off road equipment; the principles and operations of centrifugal pumps, valves and piping used on fire engines; methods used to tune-up automotive vehicles; the repair of major engine components; the use of testing equipment such as an electronic engine analyzer, exhaust emission analyzer, and oscilloscope; automotive electrical principles and operations; automotive electronic principles and operations; maintenance and repair of hydraulic systems, fuel systems, air brake systems, cooling systems and transmissions; blueprint reading and schematic concepts; preventative maintenance inspection methods; automotive diagnostic equipment; garage safety procedures; the method of operation of a variety of automotive vehicles and equipment; the assembly and operation of auxiliary equipment typically found in vehicles, trucks and construction equipment; the State of California vehicle  code pertaining to lighting systems, smog control systems, and brake systems; the operation and use of gas and electric welding equipment; the methods used in metal fabrication. 

Skill in:  Operating diagnostic equipment; at operating and driving gasoline and diesel powered vehicles and equipment; at using equipment repair tools. 

Ability to:  Maintain, repair, and overhaul a variety of automotive, construction and other mechanical equipment such as fire engines and pump systems, fire trucks including large tillered aerial ladder trucks, gang mowers, aerial work platforms and construction equipment such as loaders, graders, dump trucks, back hoes, asphalt trucks, trailers, rollers, street sweepers, air compressors, off road equipment; diagnose and troubleshoot electrical circuits, electronic circuits, fuel systems, smog systems, brakes, differentials, air systems, and hydraulic systems; remove, repair and replace major and minor engine component parts; overhaul large and small diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines; use gas and electric welding and cutting equipment; use shop power and hand tools; make vehicle repair and adjustments; work safely in an automotive shop environment; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with individuals from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; to use sound judgment; to determine the best work methods and work sequences when making extensive and complex repairs.  Incumbent regularity plans and improves repair procedures such as developing methods of mechanically and physically adapting or altering items to fit and mesh into systems for which the items was not specifically designed.

Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience
 
Any combination of education and/or experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform a satisfactory job would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be: Graduation from high school and/or trade school and two years progressively responsible journey level experience in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of a variety of vehicles and heavy construction equipment including diesel engines.
 
Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements
 
Possession of, or ability to obtain by time of employment, a valid Class C California Driver's License.  Possession of or ability to obtain as a condition of successful completion of the probationary period, a valid Class B California Driver's License.  Failure to possess, obtain or maintain these driver's licenses and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City shall result in termination of employment.
 
A State of California License to certify lights and brakes is highly desirable.
 
Physical and Environmental Demands

Rare = < 10%, Occasional = 11-33%, Frequent = 34-66%, Constant = >66%

Sitting:  Rare
Walking:  Occasional
Standing:  Frequent
Bending (neck):  Frequent
Bending (waist):  Occasional
Squatting:  Rare
Climbing:  Rare
Kneeling:  Rare
Crawling:  Rare
Jumping:  Rare
Balancing:  Occasional
Twisting (neck):  Occasional
Twisting (waist):  Rare
Grasp - light (dominant hand):  Occasional
Grasp - light (non-dominant):  Occasional
Grasp - firm (dominant hand):  Frequent
Grasp - firm (non-dominant):  Frequent
Fine manipulation (dominant):  Occasional
Fine manipulation (non-dominant):  Occasional
Reach - at/below shoulder:  Occasional to frequent
Reach – above shoulder level:  Occasional

Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs.  Occasional
11 to 25 lbs.  Occasional
26 to 50 lbs.  Rare
51 to 75 lbs.  Rare
76 to 100 lbs.  Rare
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs.  Occasional
11 to 25 lbs.  Occasional
26 to 50 lbs.  Rare
51 to 75 lbs.  Rare
76 to 100 lbs.  Rare
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs.  Occasional
11 to 25 lbs.  Rare
26 to 50 lbs.  Rare
51 to 75 lbs.  Rare
76 to 100 lbs.  Rare
Over 100 lbs.  Never

Coordination:
Eye-hand:  Required
Eye-hand-foot:  Required
Driving:  Required

Vision:
Acuity, near:  Required
Acuity, far:  Required
Depth perception:  Required
Accommodation:  Required
Color vision:  Required
Field of vision:  Required

Talking:
Face-to-face contact:  Required
Verbal contact w/others:  Required
Public:  Required

Hearing:
Normal conversation:  Required
Telephone communication:  Required
Earplugs required:  Required

Work environment:
Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, working at unprotected heights, being around moving machinery, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, gases, odors, mists, or other irritating particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to excessive noise, exposure to radiation or electrical energy, exposure to solvents, grease or oil, exposure to slippery or uneven walking surfaces, using computer monitor, exposure to vibration, exposure to flames or burning items, works around others, works alone, works with others.

Class Code:  6025
FLSA:  Non-exempt
EEOC Code:  8
Barg.  Unit:  OE3
Probation:  6 months
Rev.  01/06