Posting number: 2026-MLJ-3419
Department: Maintenance
Division: Light Rail Vehicle Maintenance
Job classification: PAINT AND BODY WORKER - LRT
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Transportation, Vehicle Maintenance, Maintenance, Transit, Automotive
Join VTA’s Light Rail Maintenance team! We are looking for a skilled and motivated Paint and Body Worker to help maintain and restore our light rail vehicles. From repairing collision damage and performing bodywork to painting and restoring vehicle exteriors, your skills will play an important role in keeping our fleet safe, reliable, and looking its best. If you take pride in your craftsmanship and enjoy hands-on work, we encourage you to apply and become part of our team!
Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Maintenance is located at the Guadalupe Light Rail Division. LRV Maintenance is responsible for timely and reliable maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspections, repair and servicing of light rail vehicles and service equipment.
After a light rail vehicle returns from revenue service at the end of each day, Maintenance performs an interior inspection/walk-through of the vehicle, analyzes the Operator Defect Card, performs a visual inspection of the vehicle undercarriage, performs exterior and interior cleaning, cleans and repairs windows and seating, and removes and repairs graffiti and vandalism.
Regular preventive maintenance is performed at prescheduled cycles every 10,000, 30,000, 60,000, and 120,000 miles to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, safety and reliability. Running Repair/Corrective Maintenance repairs items identified by Operators during the daily operation of an LRV. The normal service life of VTA's light rail vehicle fleet is about 30 years and the major vehicle components are overhauled in a 3-phase program to achieve this lifespan. After 120,000 miles, contacts and the air system, including brake boxes and subcomponents, are overhauled. After 240,000 miles, major components including the motor alternator, gear box, traction motor, pantographs, coupler assembly, trucks, sub-assemblies, and axle bearing assemblies are overhauled. The air conditioning system, car body paint and furnishings, major electronic components, roof resistors and PC boards are overhauled every 7 to 10 years as needed.
Under general supervision, the Paint and Body Worker performs paint, body and sheet metal repairs on vehicles.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, or heavy equipment paint and body repair. We are looking for someone who is skilled in collision repair, metal fabrication, welding, dent removal, surface preparation, and automotive painting. The successful candidate should be comfortable using a variety of body shop tools and equipment, including welding equipment, frame and body repair tools, sanders, and paint spray equipment. They should have strong attention to detail, take pride in producing quality work, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience repairing large vehicles, buses, or rail equipment is a plus, but we also welcome experienced automotive paint and body technicians who are interested in bringing their skills to public transportation.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward ;
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.
Training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma and four years of experience in paint and body work.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to qualify for and maintain a Class B license with passenger (P) endorsement and LRV operator certification.
Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.
Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.
This classification is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.
Tentative Examinations:
Written: TBD early December
Performance: Mid December
Oral Panel: TBD
Conditions of Employment:
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.
For safety-sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.
Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.org at least five business days before the test.
Veterans’ Preference Program
VTA welcomes and encourages the employment of veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Qualified veterans may be eligible to receive additional veterans’ preference credit in the selection process for this recruitment.
To be considered for Veterans’ Preference credit, please attach a PDF copy of your DD Form 214 (Service Copy 2) or other official discharge documentation showing your enlistment and discharge dates and character of service (i.e., type of discharge) in the “Attachments” section of your application. Applicants requesting preference based on a service-connected disability, please submit Standard Form 15 (SF-15) along with any required supporting documentation.
Veterans’ Preference credit will only be applied after the required documentation has been received and eligibility has been verified.
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning and provides these services to cities throughout the county including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa ClaraCounty.
