AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC

Washoe County; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 56,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Washoe County is seeking a journeyman automotive mechanic to repair and maintain light to medium vehicles in a full-time, county operation in Reno, NV. Under supervision, you will handle repairs, diagnostics, and routine maintenance with a focus on safety and quality.

The ideal candidate has four years of journey level experience (or an apprenticeship with two years of journey level work), holds a Nevada driver’s license, and ASE certifications in suspension/steering and brakes.

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time journey level mechanic experience on light to medium vehicles.
• Or completion of a recognized mechanical trade apprenticeship plus two years journey level experience.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may apply.
• A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Perform journey level repairs and maintenance on light to medium automotive equipment.
• Provide exceptional customer service and communicate effectively with customers.
• Prioritize multiple repair jobs in a fast-paced shop environment.
• Utilize diagnostic tools, scans, and factory repair manuals to complete work.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Prioritization

Diagnostic tools usage

Education

Recognized mechanical trade apprenticeship

Tools

Basic mechanic's tools

G-2 Certification

ASE Certifications: Suspension & Steering

ASE Certifications: Brakes

Job description

Under supervision, performs journey level mechanical work repairing and maintaining a variety of light to medium automotive equipment; and performs related work as required.

This is an Open Competitive/Countywide Promotional recruitment being conducted to fill two current full-time vacancies in the Community Services Department. The list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.

For more information on this position, please see the Job Specification at https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/Careers/jobspecs.php

Four years of full-time professional experience as a journey level mechanic of light to medium automotive equipment; OR completion of a recognized apprenticeship in the mechanical trade and two years of journey level mechanic experience of light to medium automotive equipment; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

License Or Certificate

• A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.
• Basic mechanic's tools, including a toolbox, customarily used to perform the duties of this position are required at the time of appointment.
• G-2 (Inspection and Repair) Certification and licensure by the State of Nevada is required within six months of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.
• ASE Certifications in both “Automotive Suspension & Steering” and “Brakes” is required within six months of appointment and must be maintained for continued employment in this classification.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Provide exceptional customer service and have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Have journey level experience performing repairs on a variety of vehicles including sedans, light and medium duty trucks, and SUV’s. Note: this is not an entry level position.
• Effectively manage multiple repair jobs and understand the critical factors required to prioritizing this type of workflow.
• Understand the use of diagnostic tools and methods including scanning software, online repair sites and factory repair manuals.
• Take initiative in obtaining and maintaining all required certifications and trainings promptly.
• Be a team player who works well with others in a fast-paced shop environment.

There are currently two vacancies for this position.

The Washoe County Employees Association (WCEA) Non-Supervisory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covers the Automotive Mechanic position.

Background checks will be conducted on selected applicants through the State of Nevada and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Per the Washoe County Background and Reference Checks Policy, new and rehired employees are required to submit to a fingerprint based background investigation. Effective October 1, 2026, the $40.00 fee associated with this background investigation will be paid by the employee (if applicable) and deducted automatically from the first paycheck. Employment is contingent upon the results of the background check, although a record of conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.

Washoe County requires its employees to reside in the state of Nevada or neighboring California communities such as Truckee, South Lake Tahoe or Susanville as of their first day of work.

Washoe County hires all new employees at the minimum rate of the salary range and eligible employees may receive an annual merit increase of 5% until they reach the maximum salary for the classification. Upon promotion, current Washoe County employees are placed at the minimum rate of the salary range for the higher classification of the new position OR a promotional calculation, whichever is greater.

1. After your application is screened, you will be notified via the email you provided whether you have met the minimum requirements for the position. Those applicants who do not meet the qualifications have one (1) business day to file an appeal and request a review of their qualifications. Written appeals should be submitted via email to the assigned Human Resources Business Partner using the contact information listed on this job announcement.

2. If you have met the minimum requirements, you will receive an additional email inviting you to schedule your Automotive Mechanic Performance Exam. Important: If you do not receive an invitation to schedule your exam within (5) days of the scheduled exam date, please [e-mail]. You will receive an initial confirmation email once you have selected an exam date and time. In addition, you will receive a follow up email before the exam date with further details related to the examination process.

3. This performance exam is tentatively scheduled to be held the week of November 2, 2026. This exam will be administered and proctored in Reno, NV tentatively through the above scheduled dates and you must be present to test.

4. The exam will be 100% a performance exam, and will evaluate your expertise, knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Technical Skills (Knowledge of Tools/Equipment and Safe Work Methods/Practices in Maintenance and Construction Work)
• Analytical Skills (Comprehension and Problem Solving)
• Communication Skills

5. Pursuant to the Washoe County Personnel Handbook, the Department of Human Resources does not administer an exam when there are less than 20 qualified candidates. Once the recruitment has closed, if there are less than 20 qualified candidates, the exam will be waived, and all qualifying candidates will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department. If the exam is scheduled to move forward and less than 20 candidates take the exam as determined by the Department of Human Resources, the exam will be waived. Only those candidates who took the exam or have a transfer score will be placed on an unranked eligible list which will be referred to the hiring department.

6. After the exam is completed, you will receive an additional email notifying you of the results. If you pass the examination, you will receive your score and rank. This rank will be used to determine which candidates will be interviewed by departments trying to fill a vacancy.

7. Hiring departments schedule interviews from a list of top scoring candidates. If your name is not sent to the hiring department, it will remain on the list for future opportunities as they become available.

8. Please be advised you can log in to your NeoGov account and select:

• “Applications” to view a list of the recruitments which you have applied for, your submitted application for each recruitment, a copy of the job listing, and your applicant history for each recruitment.
• “Inbox” to view the notices which have been sent to you for each recruitment.
• “Account” to update your contact information. Please note to update your phone number on previously submitted applications you must contact [e-mail]

If you have any questions regarding the Online Application Process you can find additional information at the following link: https://www.washoecounty.gov/humanresources/faq/online/appprocess.php

Questions: Veronica North

[e-mail]

775-328-2078

Veteran Point

Eligible veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces shall receive one (1) bonus point upon passing Open Competitive examinations only. In order to be given a bonus point, applicants must attach proof of Honorable Discharge (DD-214 with Classification of Discharge) to the Online Application at time of submission.

Washoe County is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce that creates a sense of belonging for all employees and citizens, thereby encouraging persons from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for employment.

Washoe County will recruit, hire, train and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion or belief, gender, marital status or domestic partnership, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information (GINA), veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association or union or any other protected class under applicable federal or state law.