Equipment Master Mechanic

EQUIPMENT MASTER MECHANIC

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs tasks requiring specialized knowledge in diagnosis and mechanical repairs involving the full range of vehicles and equipment including safety apparatus; maintains and makes minor and major mechanical repairs to City-owned vehicles and equipment; ensures the safe and proper operation of the City’s fleet; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Fleet Manager. May provide technical or functional supervision over lower level staff.   Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level in the Equipment Mechanic class series. Positions in this class are distinguished from the Equipment Mechanic II position in that they perform the most technically complex tasks in the diagnosis and maintenance of City vehicles and equipment, including Fire apparatus and other safety equipment, and are required to operate and train others in the operation of a variety of equipment and tools related to vehicle and equipment maintenance.   Positions in this class are distinguished from supervisory classes in that they do not perform direct supervision duties.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs specialized and skilled mechanical work in the maintenance and repair of a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered fire apparatus, vehicles, and equipment.
• Participates in all safety programs required to effectively perform associated job requirements.
• Inspects, diagnoses, and locates mechanical difficulties on a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles including various sizes and classes of pickup trucks, fire apparatus, police vehicles, cars, motorcycles, trailers, lawnmowers, forklifts, backhoes, dump trucks, sewer trucks, alternative fuel vehicles, stationary engines, and heavy construction equipment.
• Replaces or repairs faulty parts including electrical and charging systems, wheel bearings, clutches, oil seals, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, steering mechanisms, fuel and water pumps, air-conditioning systems, radiators, and related parts and equipment.
• Repairs and adjustment to gas and diesel engines, diagnose and repair air and hydraulic brakes; repairs and replaces components including power steering, alternators, batteries, distributors, relays, lights, and switches.
• Steam cleans and washes vehicles; changes oil and filters; lubricates vehicles; checks charging systems and replaces batteries, battery cables, fan belts, filters, and wiper blades; tunes up gasoline and diesel engines; rebuilds and adjusts carburetors; repairs fuel injection systems for both gas and diesel engines.
• Maintains maintenance records including cost of repairs and amount of time spent; requisitions, purchases, and restocks parts and supplies; maintains shop, tools, and equipment in a clean and orderly condition.
• Participates in all safety programs required to effectively perform associated job requirements.
• Diagnoses and repairs electrical difficulties; fabricates and modifies parts and equipment; installs and maintains equipment on public safety vehicles.
• Diagnoses mechanical and drivability problems; operates computer diagnostic equipment.
• Responds to employee and vendor inquiries in person, by telephone, and via e-mail.
• Operates a variety of equipment and tools required for the maintenance of City equipment.
• Picks-up and delivers vehicles for service; prepares used vehicles for sale or auction.
• Coordinates and assigns daily tasks to assigned staff; provides training on performance of tasks including ensuring safety operations are followed.
• Provides performance related feedback to division supervisor as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operation and care of internal combustion engines.
• Operational characteristics of a variety of hand and power tools and equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• Basic math.
• Tools, equipment, and procedures used in the overhaul, repair, and adjustment of gas, diesel, and alternative-fueled equipment, including computerized diagnostic and test equipment.
• Operating and repair characteristics of the entire range of City-owned light and heavy equipment.
• Proper use of freon and recovery and recycling equipment.
• Operation and care of hydraulics and electrical components.
• Math and measurements including calculating conversions to/from metrics, capacity, and volume.
• Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) inspection programs conducted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  • The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Independently perform a variety of skilled journey-level minor and major mechanical work on automotive, mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hydraulic maintenance and repair tasks related to gasoline, diesel, or alternative fuel-powered automobiles, light and heavy trucks, and construction equipment.
• Know and understand operations and observe safety rules.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment and parts which are not functioning properly.
• Interpret work orders and explain work performed to others.
• Safely operate all vehicles, forklifts, trucks, trailers, and equipment.
• Obtain certifications as required by OSHA/Cal OSHA and provided by the City to perform assigned duties.
• Inspect gas and diesel-powered equipment to locate difficulties and estimate the cost and time of repairs.
• Use a variety of tools and equipment with skill.
• Read and interpret shop manuals, schematics, blueprints, and specifications.
• Document and maintain records of repairs; prepare activity reports; document accurate mileage on City vehicles; save and tag all warranties; follow part ordering and billing procedures.
• Perform final operational tests on all vehicles to quality-check all repairs.
• Perform maintenance and repair welding on equipment.  
• Fabricate parts as needed to complete repair including any design work.
• Visually inspect the structural integrity of aerial lift equipment and report any deficiencies; perform preventive maintenance and repairs to aerial devices in accordance with manufacturer's and ANSI guidelines and in a timely manner.
• Work on, troubleshoot and repair all types of firefighting vehicles, equipment, and apparatus.
• Ability to perform tasks in compliance with safe practices as well as train and coach others in safe practices.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:

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

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade supplemented by specialized training in the maintenance and repair of gas and diesel-powered equipment or a related field.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible full-time experience in diagnosing, repairing, and adjusting gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment; including two (2) years at journey level.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Class “A” or “B” California Driver’s License, with appropriate endorsements, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a certificate in air-conditioning refrigerant from the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
• Possession of Emergency Vehicle Technician I certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a shop and field environment; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces and around machines, to climb and descend ladders, operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to detect shades of color, read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. The job requires frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate the above-mentioned tools and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work areas. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 100 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff. Employees must wear and use the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in a shop and field environment and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspaces, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May be required to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.