HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC I

THE JOB: Under direction, diagnose mechanical defects in pickup trucks, automobiles, dump trucks, tractors, motor graders, cranes, mowers, street sweepers, fork lifts, rollers, compactors, bulldozers, backhoes, loaders, scrapers, excavators and other diesel and gas-powered construction equipment; determine extent of needed repair; inspect used parts to determine the cause of mechanical failure and evaluate whether parts are still usable or need to be replaced; overhaul, repair and adjust engines, standard and automatic transmissions, air and hydraulic brake systems, clutches, differentials, axles and suspension, ignition and electrical systems, computerized and electronic ignition systems, steering and control systems and generators; perform instrumentation repair; repair and replace tracks on bulldozers; grind, seat and adjust valves; rebuild hydraulic pumps; repair electronically controlled devices on power shovels and other heavy equipment; adjust and repair grader blades and loader bucket assemblies; perform welding; use a wide variety of test equipment and shop tools; overhaul exhaust systems; make emergency repairs in the field; perform routine maintenance and servicing of equipment and trucks; change and repair tires; and, provide vacation and other temporary relief for other classifications, as required; and perform other duties as required. The current vacancies are in the Department of Public Works. The list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current and future vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic I is the trainee level classification in the series. Incumbents assist Heavy Equipment Mechanic II's in overhauling and repairing construction equipment, heavy and light trucks and automobiles, and independently perform routine maintenance and minor repairs to equipment. Heavy Equipment Mechanic I's receive on-the-job training in diagnosing mechanical defects and performing major repair work. Incumbents are expected to advance to the Heavy Equipment Mechanic II level after two years of service at the Heavy Equipment Mechanic I level.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these would be:

One year of experience in the maintenance and servicing of automotive, road construction or other heavy equipment, including some engine repair work or formal training in engine repair.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License; and, within six months from hire, possession of a valid Class A Driver License with Tank Endorsement. Some positions may require Hazardous Materials endorsement. (If your application meets minimum qualifications, you may be asked to provide a current, official Department of Motor Vehicles driver record.)

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry and to employees in positions requiring these licenses, as mandated by Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide specific employment history for up to the past ten years for all jobs they have held which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Heavy Equipment Mechanic I: Incumbents must provide the basic required tools upon employment and must provide the additional required tools within twelve months of employment.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: variable temperatures and weather conditions; confined work spaces; heights, such as on ladders and equipment; high levels of noise; infections which might cause chronic disease or death; electrical hazards; dust and silica dust; allergens, such as poison oak and stinging insects; unpleasant odors; and, the possibility of experiencing burns, bodily injury, exposure to non-ionizing radiation, and contact with toxic substances or chemical irritants.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of the theory and operation of internal combustion engines and drive train components; all components of a motorized vehicle; the methods, tools and equipment used to perform preventative maintenance and servicing of automobiles or heavy equipment; and safety practices to be observed when maintaining and repairing mechanical equipment. Some knowledge of the methods used in the repair and overhauling of engines and other drive train components on motorized equipment.

Ability to: Perform routine preventative maintenance and simple repairs on motorized equipment, including gas and diesel powered engines; use hand and power tools; read and understand technical service manuals; understand and follow oral and written directions; keep simple records; work cooperatively with others; recognize and report defects or malfunctions, upon inspection; requires lifting items up to 75 pounds; perform tasks requiring strength, such as two people positioning 100 pound equipment blades, carrying equipment parts, climbing onto equipment, and mounting tires onto trucks and construction equipment; drive vehicles, such as automobiles, pick-up trucks, dump trucks, tractors, graders, compactors, bulldozers, loaders, scrapers, tank vehicles and other light and heavy construction equipment; hear and distinguish various sounds, such as voices of co-workers in noisy environments and sounds of operating equipment; distinguish colors, such as color-coded wire and the color of fluids; distinguish temperatures of equipment, to avoid burns; use impact tools, such as tire guns and sledgehammers, which cause body vibration; perform tasks that require manual dexterity such as welding, assembling small parts, and pouring liquids into receptacles; and wear welding gloves.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT  – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security. 
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
EMPLOYEE CREDIT UNION – Offers systematic savings and low interest loans.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now! Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. For application materials, contact County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works Personnel Division, (831) 454-2607. Following a review for minimum qualifications, applicants who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be notified that they must submit a completed conviction history questionnaire in order to continue to the examination phase of the process.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation. 

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.   

An Equal Opportunity Employer