
Posting number: 04746
Department: Public Works
Job classification: HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC II
Posting type: Open
Categories: Fleet Services, Maintenance, Automotive
Love getting your hands dirty and fixing things that roar, rumble, or roll? We’re on the hunt for a skilled technician with at least one year of wrench-turning experience to join our Public Works Fleet team! If you’ve got a knack for diagnosing and repairing gas or diesel-powered equipment, even better! Bring your skills as the next Heavy Equipment Mechanic to a team that keeps the city running strong.
2.5% Education Incentive (bachelor's degree)
5% Education Incentive (master's degree)
The Heavy Equipment Mechanic is responsible to maintain and make minor and major mechanical repairs to the City's transit buses, gasoline or diesel powered automotive, heavy construction, fire apparatus, and other power-driven equipment; to diagnose and repair vehicle components and control systems; and to perform related duties as assigned.
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Applications will be screened to the most qualified. Please do not substitute any part of the application with the words "see resume".
The following information is provided for use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.
In-person Written Exam
Week of 10/19/26 or week of 10/26/26
The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire.
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Inspect, diagnose, and locate mechanical difficulties on City transit buses, automobiles, trucks, fire apparatus and a variety of other diesel and gasoline powered maintenance and construction equipment.
Receive information from users, evaluate equipment problems, and determine action required for facilitating repair.
Weld, fabricate, and assemble parts and equipment for City transit buses and automotive and heavy equipment; weld, braze, cut, shape, and fasten metal parts; fabricate and weld vehicle frames, chassis, and exhaust systems.
Use welding equipment, drill press, lathes, grinders, and a large assortment of other power and hand tools and measurement instruments required for journey level fabrication work.
Overhaul, repair, and adjust engines, transmissions, differentials, valves, clutches, and air and hydraulic systems.
Tune up engines, replacing electrical, electronic, and ignition parts and cleaning and adjusting carburetors and fuel injection systems.
Replace or repair faulty parts including wheel bearings, clutches, or oil seals, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, steering mechanisms, hydraulic systems, and related parts and equipment.
Diagnose and repair components, including generators, alternators, distributors, relays, lights, and switches.
Diagnose, maintain, and repair air conditioning systems, climate systems, computerized control systems, ignition systems, power steering, and cooling systems.
Repair, adjust, and replace brake systems including disc, hydraulic, and air brakes.
Diagnose and repair wheelchair lifts and coin collection equipment.
Make roadside repairs as required.
Assist in the purchasing of equipment maintenance parts and materials.
Maintain work, time, and material records.
Diagnose and repair various electronic and computer-controlled devices.
Diagnose and repair emissions systems.
Tests vehicle to ensure problem has been resolved.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.
Marginal Functions:
Assist other mechanics in the performance of mechanical repairs as required.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Tools, equipment, and procedures used in the overhaul, repair, and adjustment of transit buses and other gas- and diesel-powered equipment.
Operation and care of internal combustion engines and hydraulic equipment.
Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in welding and fabrication work.
Operating and repair characteristics of City transit buses and a wide variety of other light and heavy equipment.
Diagnostic methods.
Computers and electronics in vehicle applications.
Perform skilled welding and fabrication work.
Perform journey level equipment mechanical work, including the troubleshooting of equipment for both major and minor repair work.
Perform journey level equipment mechanical work including the troubleshooting of equipment for both major and minor repair work.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Accurately determine appropriate mechanical repair needs and estimate the cost and time of repairs.
Assist in the training and supervision of less experienced staff.
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:
Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing maintenance and automotive and heavy equipment repair duties.
High School diploma or GED equivalency, supplemented by specialized training in the maintenance and repair of gas- and diesel-powered equipment.
Possession of a valid Class B Commercial California driver’s license.
Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Vehicle Inspection Pollution Controls license.
In compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, possession of an appropriate Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Certification.
Possession of certifications in three (3) areas in heavy-duty class issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is required within one (1) year of appointment.
Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time may result in release from probation or termination.
Possession of a complete set of mechanic hand tools through 1-1/2" and a toolbox.

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