Equipment Mechanic/Welder

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, westward through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play and learn. For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

The Department of Public Works and Facilities is currently recruiting for one permanent full time Equipment Mechanic/Welder in the Auburn Area. The Department maintains over 1200 pieces of equipment.  For more information about the Department of Public Works and Facilities, please click HERE.  

To perform skilled welding work; to assist Equipment Mechanics in the repair and maintenance of gasoline and diesel powered automotive, road and construction equipment; to inspect motorized and mechanical equipment; and to diagnose mechanical problems and determine extent of necessary repairs.

This is the full journey level class.  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 within the work unit.

Receives general supervision from a Supervising Equipment Mechanic or Supervising Mechanic (Tahoe).

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fabricate a wide variety of metal parts, such as truck and equipment frames and bodies, pipes and tanks, and similar items.
• Cut, grind and weld, as required, to repair broken parts and tools.
• Disassemble and assemble engines and perform minor and major overhaul and repairs on brake, electrical, fuel, lubrication, cooling, air conditioning, vacuum and hydraulic systems and drive trains; inspect and repair air pollution control devices, brakes and head lamps.
• Install batteries, tires, wiring, windows and windshields; repair and paint bodies and fenders; lubricate and service equipment; provide roadside service and operate automotive and heavy equipment as needed; maintain appropriate records.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform general facility maintenance and clean-up tasks; order supplies; maintain various manuals.
• Install and maintain equipment used in repair work.

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

Experience: Two years of responsible experience performing duties similar to those of an Equipment Mechanic in Placer County or two years of journey level experience in welding work.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by additional specialized training in welding and heavy equipment or diesel engine diagnostics, repair and maintenance.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to the completion of the probationary period, a valid Class B driver's license with air brake, tanker and hazardous materials endorsements.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to the completion of the probationary period, valid Welder Certificates with ANSI/AWSD.1. Certificates shall be based on 1" plate coupons using positions 3G vertical up and 4G Horizontal with Direct Current Arc Welding and Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG).

Knowledge of:

• Properties and qualities of various metals and proper fusing temperatures.
• Principles of gasoline and diesel engine mechanics as applied to the maintenance and repair of automotive, road and construction equipment.
• Tools, equipment and methods used in the diagnosis, overhaul, repair and adjustment of motor equipment.
• Arithmetic and basic mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• Independently, diagnose problems and perform major and minor repairs on automotive, road and construction equipment; repair and fabricate parts and tools by cutting, grinding and welding; and read and understand technical reports and instructions and schematic drawings and diagrams.
• Independently use modern welding and cutting equipment, conduct repairs and do related fabrication.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand operations and observe safety rules.  Intermittently diagnose and analyze problem equipment; identify and locate equipment; interpret work orders; remember equipment location; and explain jobs to others.
• Intermittently, sit while studying or preparing reports; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist when performing installation or repair of equipment; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Use a forklift, hydraulic lift, hand cart, hand, air and power tools and welding tools and equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met. Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Schedule

• 9/7/2017 - Minimum Qualification Screening 
• 9/8/2017 - Conviction Questionnaires Sent
• 9/13/2017  - Conviction Questionnaires Due 
• Eligible List Established Week of September 18, 2017