Diesel Mechanic - Cedar Rapids

State-of-Iow; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation seeks a Diesel Mechanic for its Cedar Rapids team. The role includes diagnosing, repairing and overhauling diesel and gasoline equipment, with access to shop tools and the support of a safety‑driven work culture.

Residency within 45 minutes of the Cedar Rapids Maintenance Garage is expected within five months. Shift is Mon-Fri 7:00 AM–3:30 PM, with on-call and possible overnight travel; competitive benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time automotive or heavy equipment mechanic experience.
• CDL permit upon hire, with Class A license endorsements within 5 months.
• Pre-employment physical and drug screening, plus ongoing random testing.

Responsibilities

• Setting priorities to ensure the most critical repairs are handled first and coordinates with supervisor.
• Performing diagnostics on equipment and associated systems to identify and make needed repairs.
• Overhauling components on gasoline and diesel equipment.
• Analyzing, diagnosing, and determining necessary repairs on computer-controlled systems and other technology.
• Ordering and maintaining shop inventory.
• Maintaining electronic files related to repairs.
• Completing emergency equipment repairs and could work in adverse weather conditions.
• Assisting maintenance with roadway projects to include snow and ice removal as needed.

Skills

Diesel Mechanic

Job description

The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking to add a Diesel Mechanic to our team! The agency will supply all the necessary tools required to work on a variety of vehicles and equipment, while your skills and expertise will help keep our fleet and equipment operational to ensure our mission Making Lives Better Through Transportation is fulfilled.

Our vehicles and equipment are critical to our success and as a mechanic, your role will include:

• Setting priorities to ensure the most critical repairs are handled first and coordinates with supervisor
• Performing diagnostics on equipment and associated systems to identify and make needed repairs
• Overhauling components on gasoline and diesel equipment
• Analyzing, diagnosing, and determining necessary repairs on computer-controlled systems and other technology
• Ordering and maintaining shop inventory
• Maintaining electronic files related to repairs
• Completing emergency equipment repairs and could work in adverse weather conditions
• Assisting maintenance with roadway projects to include snow and ice removal as needed

In every daily task and interaction, you will contribute to our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception alongside your teammates.

Mechanics at the Iowa DOT are able to join a Horizontal Career Path program, which provides specific trainings in operations, technical and personal skills. Being a part of this program offers pay increases in addition to annual performance increases!

Residency:

Cedar Rapids Maintenance Garage - Within five (5) months, employees are required to reside within 45 minutes driving time, during normal conditions, from assigned work location.

Shift:

Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Hours may vary and are subject to be on call 24 hours a day during emergency and/or weather conditions. Some overnight travel may be required.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Special Requirements:

• A CDL permit upon hire.
• Class A and endorsements/restrictions on your CDL within 5 months following your hire date. Entry Level Driver Training is available upon hire through the Iowa DOT. The multi-faceted training will help meet all state and federal regulations.
• A successful U.S. DOT Clearinghouse query.
• A pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
• A pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in random drug and alcohol testing programs.
• May be required to obtain pesticide/herbicide certifications or other certifications as needed.

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Three years of full-time work experience in automotive or heavy equipment mechanic work.
2. A total of three years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where 30 semester hours of post-high-school education in automotive or heavy equipment mechanics equals one year of full-time experience.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Mechanic Helper.

Positions in this job class in the Department of Public Defense – Military Division must possess at the time of hire, or be able to obtain within six (6) months of hire, a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with air brake endorsements.

All of the following apply to Department of Transportation positions only:

• Positions in this class require possession of a valid Commercial Learner's Permit upon hire.
• Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, a valid Commercial Driver's License with the required endorsements and applicable restrictions must be obtained and subsequently maintained to continue employment.
• In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 40 and 382), positions in this job class require a pre- employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer's random drug and alcohol testing program and will be subject to the regulations regarding the Federal drug and alcohol testing program.
• Prior to starting employment, all persons are required to have a post offer, pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties assigned.
• Employees must be able to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.
• Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, field maintenance employees are required to reside within a defined driving time, during normal conditions, from assigned work location.
• Employees must respond to emergency situations as required.
• Employees must have knowledge of winter maintenance operations such as anti-icing and deicing principles, snow and ice principles, and the effects of de-icing equipment on vehicles. They must also have skill in calibrating and maintaining electronic and hydraulic controls to ensure proper amounts of materials are applied to the roadway.
• Employees must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.