Equipment Mechanic Recruit

Exciting things are happening at the City of Sparks! If you are looking for a meaningful career that has a positive impact on the community, join our team!

The City of Sparks is currently seeking to establish an eligibility list to use in the hiring of multiple Equipment Mechanic Recruits, for the Public Works Department. This posting will close on November 5, 2026 at 4:00 pm PST.

Application Tips:

• COMPLETELY fill out and update your general online application before attaching it to any job posting. HR reviews information listed on the application submitted to the specific job posting. HR does NOT use personnel files in the screening process. 
• Contact information: use an email address you can easily access at any time.
• The Qualifications section below is your guide to understand what the City is looking for on your application, use this to your advantage. It is up to the candidate seeking employment/promotion to include all relevant information for qualification purposes, on the application the candidate submits to be considered for the job.
• DO NOT attach resumes or cover letters. The City of Sparks does not review these items with the application.

This position requires a Civil Service Examination which is tentatively scheduled to occur November 12-14, 2026. Exact date, time and testing information will be provided to qualified candidates after the posting has closed. Qualified candidates will be notified via email of schedule and testing specifics. Once the exam has been completed, the candidate will receive a score and/or rank depending on their test performance. Upon successfully passing the exam, the candidate will be placed on the eligibility list which will then be used to refer candidates for potential interviews. 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. The City of Sparks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

DESCRIPTION

This position is a developmental position designed as an on-the-job training pipeline into the City’s fleet operations. In this role, the primary responsibility is to actively learn and master the technical competencies, safety protocols and diagnostic workflows of the Equipment Mechanic I/II series under direct supervision. Upon completion of the required time served and demonstrating proficiency in the learned competencies, recruits are expected to transition fully into the Equipment Mechanic I/II series and to be able to perform a variety of mechanic duties involving maintenance, repair and service to a variety of equipment and vehicles used by the City.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a developmental recruit level position, which serves as the learning and entry into the Equipment Mechanic I/II series. 

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below, on their completed application, to continue in the recruitment process. If there are certifications or degrees that require proof of completion, be sure to attach them to your application before submission:

Must be 18 years of age at time of application. 

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent.

Licenses and Certificates:

Must possess within thirty (30) days of hire and maintain throughout employment, the equivalent to a valid Nevada Class C driver's license.

Must possess within three (3) months of hire and maintain throughout employment, a forklift certification.

Must possess within six (6) months of hire, a valid Nevada Class A CDL driver's permit.

Must possess within twelve (12) months of hire and maintain throughout employment, a valid Nevada Class A CDL driver's license with tanker and combination vehicle endorsements.

Must possess within twelve (12) months of hire and maintain throughout employment, a valid 1G emissions testing certification from the State of Nevada.

Must possess within two (2) years of hire and maintain throughout employment, an ASE Auto Maintenance and ASE Auto Light Repair Certification.

Equipment Mechanic Recruit is expected to acquire knowledge in the following areas during their assignment as a recruit and must maintain throughout employment.

Diagnose, repair, clean, adjust and install fuel, ignition, electrical and cooling systems involving repair and replacement of parts such as carburetors, fuel pumps, starter motors, distributors, generators, voltage regulators, wiring, switches, batteries, radiators, thermostats, and water pumps. Observe safe work methods and utilize safety equipment related to work.

Diagnose and repair a wide variety of gasoline and diesel injection systems and engines; trucks and construction equipment; advanced electrical systems; computer systems and modules using DVOM, scan tools and lab scope; power transmission systems including clutches, standard transmissions, auto transmissions and differential units; front and rear axles, gears, bearings, universal joints and hydraulic units. 

Diagnose, repair and maintain vehicle air brakes, hydraulic systems and associated power take-off equipment, steering mechanisms, brakes and other controls; and inspect and replace broken or worn parts. 

Install electrical and radio systems in vehicles as necessary. Modify systems as required. Maintain and repair solar charging systems.

Operate fabrication equipment such as but not limited to, band saws, chop saws, plasma cutter, drill press, horizontal lathe, metal shear, press brake, tubing bender and tubing notcher. Load and unload trucks and equipment with a forklift.

Road test vehicles, drive trucks or equipment as required. Diagnose and perform electrical, hydraulic and other repairs in the field. Perform smog checks, smog related failure repairs, and certify vehicles.

Perform specialty repairs on Police and Fire equipment, minor repairs to engines and vehicle alignments. Use and perform minor maintenance on hand, power and shop tools and test equipment. Perform preventive maintenance on construction equipment, heavy trucks, street sweepers, automobiles, light trucks and other equipment. Maintain and repair small gasoline engines and equipment found on mowers and chain saws. 

Read and interpret manuals, drawings, and specifications. Prepare basic records and reports. Create oral and written reports of work performed. Complete forms and accurately maintain records. Estimate necessary labor, material and equipment to complete assignments and order parts required. 

Accurately enter data into the Fleet Management System used by the City of Sparks, according to the City’s standard operating procedure (SOP) for the assigned task.

Train others in work knowledge, procedures, skills, and abilities. Perform other duties which may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Equipment Mechanic Recruit is expected to acquire knowledge in the following areas during their assignment as a recruit and must maintain throughout employment.

Physical Demands:

Requires sufficient strength and stamina to perform sustained heavy physical labor for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to sixty (60) lbs., safely operate heavy and potentially hazardous tools or equipment and vehicles, and work outdoors in medians and roadways in varied weather conditions with exposure to heavy traffic and other potential hazards. 

SUPPLEMENTAL JOB INFORMATION

Civil Service Positions

The City of Sparks requires that prior to the first examination for the position, necessary documentary evidence be submitted for fitness of any qualification. Any requirement not met for the advertised position prior to the first examination for that position, will be cause for the City of Sparks to decline to examine, certify or hire the applicant.

Recruitment Communication

Human Resources will contact you at various stages of the recruitment process via email only, even if you have chosen U.S. mail for prior application processes or for applications with other agencies. Please ensure your email address is up to date, accurate, and accessible by you. 

Reasonable Accommodation

Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants in the selection process. If you have special needs, please notify the Human Resources office when you turn in your application or at least three (3) business days prior to the examination/interview by calling (775) 353-2345.

Disclaimer

The City of Sparks hires and promotes applicants based on a competitive merit selection process, which may include any or all of the following: screening for minimum qualifications, written examinations, supplemental training and experience questionnaires, assessment centers, interviews (oral or written), physical tests or any combination which the Sparks Civil Service Commission may order.
 
Scoring in the top five (5) for promotion or top ten (10) for entry level in any part of the selection process merely advances the applicant to a higher round of examination, which may consist of additional interviews and other evaluations. Scoring in the top five (5) or ten (10) gives no right to be selected for the position. The City of Sparks reserves the right to select applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications for the position.

Applicants moving forward in the selection process are subject to submitting for a background check that may include review of criminal records. Applicants with criminal records should note that a conviction will not necessarily bar the applicant from employment. When considering the applicant’s background and criminal record, the length of time that has passed since the offense, the age of the applicant at the time of the offense, the severity and nature of the offense in relation to the position for which the applicant has applied, and evidence of the rehabilitation of the applicant will be considered prior to an employment decision can be made.