$31.68 - $40.43
Want to be part of a growing industry? Want to gain competitive skills building and repairing natural gas powered and electric powered vehicles? Then come join the Santa Cruz METRO team!
This is a great time to join Santa Cruz METRO!
Salaries are on a six-step salary range schedule with 5% increases yearly. Typical placement on this position is made at the first step of the salary range. Upon successful completion of probation, the second step shall be paid.
At METRO, you will enjoy a competitive salary, CALPERS pension, a robust health/dental/vision benefit program, public service loan forgiveness program, 457 plans, career development, free bus passes, and longevity pay.
Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and submit a current DMV driving record as part of the application process. Candidates must also be able to obtain a California Class B Permit with a Passenger (P) endorsement as a condition of employment.
Under general supervision, a Mechanic I performs a limited range of semi-skilled maintenance duties related to the repair and maintenance of Santa Cruz METRO buses, vehicles, and other equipment while learning to perform the full scope of journey-level work; provides technical direction and assistance to lower level staff and performs related work as required
The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education, Training, and Experience:
One (1) year of progressively responsible experience performing heavy-duty mechanic work.
Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience performing light-duty automotive repair work.
Graduation from a certified maintenance training program (or program meeting Santa Cruz METRO standards) AND six (6) months of experience performing mechanic work.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:
A valid California Driver's License will be required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a current, valid California Class B Driver's License with P Passenger endorsement.
Knowledge of:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend squat and stoop; talk and hear; use hands to grasp, manipulate, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is regularly required to bend and twist at the neck, reach with hands and arms. Occasional overhead reaching and lifting up to 80 pounds aided is required. Specific visual abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work.
The employee works in a shop or outdoor environment where the noise level is usually noisy. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, fumes, dust, grease, air contaminants, and hazardous materials and chemicals during the course of work. May work out in the field when needed.
*Adopted: 12-11-18
*BOD Approved: 08-23-19
*Revised: 00-00-00
*Job Family: Maintenance
*Job Series: Mechanic
*Job Series Level: Entry/First Working
*Confidential: No
Class Code: SC103
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Bargaining Unit: VMU
This employer does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
Employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following the date of hire, unless otherwise noted below.
Medical Insurance: For employee and qualified dependents. Choice between multiple HMO and PPO plans. Santa Cruz METRO contributes 95% of the monthly premium costs for any plan, employee responsibility is 5%. Premium participation continues after retirement.
Dental Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents.
Vision Insurance: Premium paid by Santa Cruz METRO for employee and qualified dependents.
CalPERS Retirement Pension:
2.5% at 55 - Employees who are vested and were hired before January 1, 2013, directly from another CalPERS-covered agency are eligible for the "Classic" CalPERS pension formula of 2.5% at age 55. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, who had prior CalPERS membership and a break in service of six months or less, will also retain the "Classic" formula of 2.5% at age 55.
2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members - Those hired on or after January 1, 2013, who are new to CalPERS or have not worked for a CalPERS-covered agency in the past six months are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and receive the 2% at age 62 formula.
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: Two plan providers available. Similar to 401(k)
Empower: https://participant.empower-retirement.com
Voya: https://login.voya.com
Life/AD&D Insurance: $25,000 Life coverage. $50,000 AD&D coverage provided by Santa Cruz METRO. Additional Life/AD&D coverage available.
Long Term Disability Insurance: Available after one year of service. Premium paid by Santa Cruz Metro. Monthly maximum of $3,000.00.
Employee Assistance Program: Confidential mental, financial, legal and other assistance.
Premium paid by METRO. https://www.anthemeap.com/prism
Tickets at Work: Discounted rate program. https://www.ticketsatwork.com
Pet Insurance: Discounted rate program. https://figopetinsurance.com/ (Request QR Code)

Established in 1968, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District's (METRO's) mission is to provide environmentally sustainable transportation to Santa Cruz County. METRO directly operates county-wide, fixed-route and Highway 17 commuter service, with connections to Santa Clara County and Monterey Salinas Transit at our Watsonville Transit Center. The agency also operates ParaCruz paratransit service. Today METRO operates a fleet of 111 buses on at least 24 fixed routes and 32 paratransit vehicles.
Every ride on a METRO bus takes cars off the road, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports economic opportunity and quality of life in our community. Moving into the future, METRO strives to meet the following goals:
• Increase transit ridership to 7 million trips annually within the next five years
• Transition to a zero-emissions fleet with a mix of hydrogen and electric vehicles
• Increase affordable housing at METRO-owned transit centers to 175 units in the next 10 years.
For more information, visit www.scmetro.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, X and YouTube @santacruzmetro.