Fleet Services Technician I

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices. Public Work’s provides for the public’s needs relative to transportation, water, wastewater, and City owned buildings.

THEPOSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Public Works Department is seeking a Fleet Services Technician I to join our Fleet Services Team. This is the full journey-level position in the Fleet Services Technician series. Under general supervision, this position is responsible for maintaining the overall operating condition of all vehicles and equipment within the City’s fleet. This includes automobiles, light and medium duty trucks, backhoes, street sweepers, fire trucks, loaders, sewer cleaning trucks, aerial lifts, AC generators, specialized construction and emergency vehicles, equipment powered by gasoline, diesel and electric engines, vehicles operated hydraulically, or with alternate fuels. Performs a variety of tasks including preventative maintenance inspections, mandated inspections, in-depth testing and diagnoses, and all facets of minor to major repairs including: over-hauling of engines, transmissions, drive-trains and other major components. Additional tasks include: installation, service and repair of hydraulic equipment on vehicles and equipment within the fleet, diagnosis and repair of electrical components including generators, distributors, relays, lights, switches and high- voltage light systems. The Fleet Services Technician I will document all maintenance performed by utilizing the City’s computerized fleet maintenance system and will perform other work as required. All Technicians must provide their own set of professional tools consistent with an apprentice level automotive technician and will receive an annual tool allowance of $800.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the full journey-level class with the Automotive/Equipment Technician series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Vehicle Services Assistant by the level of responsibility, independence and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

To learn more about the position and department, click the following video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYPIhTq_0Fo

Knowledge of:

• Vehicle/equipment electrical systems, axles, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspension and emission control systems.
• Tools, equipment, and procedures used in the overhaul, repair, and adjustment of gas and diesel powered equipment.
• Procedures of preventive maintenance related to automotive, heavy and light vehicles and construction equipment.
• Principles and procedures of hydraulic systems.
• Operating and repair characteristics of a wide variety of automotive, light and heavy equipment.
• Operation and care of internal combustion engines and hydraulic equipment.
• Safe work practices.
• State laws regulating emission controls, brakes, and lights.

Ability to:

• Perform simple to complex vehicle/equipment troubleshooting, diagnosis, repair and maintenance work.
• Independently perform mechanical inspections, complex testing and diagnosis.
• Accurately determine mechanical repair needs and estimate the cost and time of repairs.
• Use a variety of equipment maintenance tools and equipment.
• Repair fire pumps and components, aerial apparatus and accessories in accordance with NFPA standards.
• Document and report all work on equipment utilizing the City's computerized Fleet management system.
• Read and apply factory service manual repair techniques and procedures, and understand blueprints, and schematics.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Use modern, sophisticated test equipment to diagnose and repair automotive equipment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:
  -- Standing, stooping, kneeling, bending or crouching for extended periods of time
  -- Routine reaching, balancing, twisting, climbing, and reclining on creepers while handling tools and equipment
  -- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles
• Maintain effective color and audio-visual discrimination, hearing and visual depth perception needed for:
  -- Making observations
  -- Communicating with others
  -- Reading and writing
  -- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Three years of experience performing minor and major vehicle and equipment repair duties including experience in the maintenance of both diesel and gas powered equipment.

Education and/or Training:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in mechanical repair or a related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

• Possession of a valid CA driver's license at time of appointment. Requires class B driver's license within six months of appointment.
• Possession of a California smog check inspectors license within one year of appointment. 
• An ASE Master Automotive Technician Certificate in electrical/electronic systems within one year of employment. 
• In addition ASE certification in two of the following areas within one year of appointment:
     • Brakes
     • Suspension and steering
     • Manual drive train and axles
     • Engine repair
     • Heating and air conditioning.
• A fourth certification within 18 months of employment in one of the remaining ASE certification categories listed above.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Public Works Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026.

The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer- and we encourage all persons to apply.