Job Details

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC I

Salary: $5,404 – 6,822 / Month

HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC II

Salary: $6,264 – 7,906 / Month

THE JOB: Under direction, perform repair and modification work on diesel and gas powered construction equipment, heavy and light trucks, and automobiles; and perform other duties as required. The list established will be used to fill the current vacancy and it may also be used to fill other vacancies during the life of the eligible list.

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

Heavy Equipment Mechanic I: 

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.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic II: 

Two years of experience performing duties comparable to those of a Heavy Equipment Mechanic I in the County of Santa Cruz.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS:

License 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.

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.

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.

Incumbents must provide the basic required tools upon employment and must provide the additional required tools within twelve months of employment.

Mechanic Tool Allowance: Employees in this classification shall be eligible to receive a tool reimbursement of up to a maximum of $1,000 per contract year, which shall be paid following presentation of receipts documenting the purchase: Incumbents must provide the required tools upon employment. 

Knowledge: 

Heavy Equipment Mechanic I: 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; 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.

Heavy Equipment Mechanic II: Thorough knowledge of the above, plus: the methods, tools and equipment used to perform preventative maintenance and servicing of construction equipment, light and heavy trucks and automobiles. Working knowledge of: the methods, tools and equipment used in the repair and overhauling of construction equipment, light and heavy trucks and automobiles; preventative maintenance inspection techniques.

Ability to (for both levels): 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. 

Additional abilities for Level II: diagnose the cause of mechanical failure in construction equipment, light and heavy trucks and automobiles and determine appropriate repairs needed; perform skilled repair work on a wide variety of gasoline and diesel powered construction equipment, light and heavy trucks and automobiles; improvise and make repairs under field conditions; learn gas and electrical welding techniques.  

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire 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 questionnaire. 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 questionnaire. 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 at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  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.

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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service.  Available for vacation and/or sick leave.

HOLIDAYS - 14 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 participates in Social Security. 

LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.

DISABILITY INSURANCE - 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 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.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.