DIESEL TECHNICIAN

City of Allentown; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Allentown is seeking a Diesel Technician (Middle Shift) to maintain and repair the city’s fleet, including sedans, mowers, trailers, and heavy equipment. You will perform diagnostics, routine maintenance, and component repairs under supervision of the Bureau Manager and Maintenance Supervisor.

The role requires four years of automotive repair experience, valid state inspection and emissions licenses, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to obtain ASE certifications within a year.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; vocational/technical automotive training.
• Four years of experience repairing standard and heavy equipment; preferred on fire vehicles.
• Valid state inspection and emissions licenses.
• Valid driver's license; ability to operate equipment and machinery.
• Within 1 year of employment obtain ASE certifications (A1, A3, A4, A5, G1, T4, T8, 609).

Responsibilities

• Remove, repair, and replace automotive components and assemblies.
• Repair valves, pistons, bearings, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, transmissions, axles, and hydraulics.
• Inspect machines and run diagnostic tests to diagnose issues.
• Perform routine maintenance and fluid replacements to ensure vehicle functionality.
• Troubleshoot problems and resolve them promptly.
• Maintain logs and keep equipment in good condition.
• Overtime may be required for emergencies, night shifts, and weekends.

Skills

Auto mechanic experience

Vehicle diagnostics

Safety awareness

Customer service

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Vocational/Technical training in Automotive Repair

ASE Certifications (in progress)

Tools

Automotive repair tools

Job description

Opens

08/31/2026

Closes

09/18/2026

Salary

$36.40 -$40.28hourly

JOB DESCRIPTION

City of Allentown

Position Description

Class Title: Diesel Technician (Middle Shift)

Grade Number: 20M

Department: Public Works

Bureau: Fleet

Union: Bargaining - SEIU

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision of the bureau manager and maintenance supervisor, the purpose of the position is to perform skilled work involving the maintenance, repair, and inspection of vehicles within the city’s fleet such as but not limited to, sedans, mowers, farm tractors, trailers, mid‑sized dumps, single axles, triaxles, day cabs and other heavy equipment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of the Bureau Manager and the Maintenance Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May exercise supervision over lower classified workers in the absence of higher classified workers or supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• (A) Removes, repairs, and replaces component parts or assembles automotive systems.
• (B) Repairs and replaces valves, pistons, main bearings, cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, transmissions, front and rear axles, and hydraulic controls.
• (C) Inspect machines, engines, transmissions etc. and run diagnostic tests to diagnose functionality issues.
• (D) Conduct routine maintenance work (replacing fluids, lubricating parts, etc.) aiming to vehicle functionality
• (E) Troubleshoot reported problems and resolve them in a timely manner.
• (F) Perform thorough maintenance on machinery, equipment, and systems.
• (G) Replenish fluids and components of engines and machinery.
• (H) Repair and replace broken or dysfunctional parts and fix issues.
• (I) Keep accurate logs on work and issues.
• (J) Maintain equipment and tools in good condition.
• (K) EVT Certified preferred to work on Fire Emergency Vehicles such as fire apparatus, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.
• (L) Operates various standard and heavy equipment and tools utilized in auto‑repair.
• (M) Overtime will be required during emergency/nonemergency situations including night shift and weekends.
• (N) Shift work may be required
• (O) Performs other duties, including those of other classifications (higher and lower) and standby crews, as assigned and/or as conditions warrant.
• (P) Provide quality and effective customer service with courtesy and understanding to our customers and internal departments.
• (Q) Perform related work as may be required by assisting others with utility duties as assigned by the department.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• (A) High School diploma or equivalent qualification; AND
• (B) Vocational/Technical training in Automotive Repair; AND
• (C) Four (4) years of previous experience that includes repairing standard and heavy equipment and preferred experience working on fire vehicles, equipment, and apparatus.
• (D) Valid state inspection license
• (E) Valid emissions license
• (F) Valid driver's license of the appropriate classification.
• (G) Ability to repair complex equipment and machinery and operate equipment/machinery
• (H) Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as safety regulations, Work Orders, equipment maintenance and repair manuals, diagrams/schematics, engine oil analysis reports, and parts manuals.
• (I) Able to properly operate automotive repair shop equipment.
• (J) Within 1 year of employment to obtain valid ASE Certifications in:
  • a. A1: Engine Repair
  • b. A3: Manual Drive Train and Axles
  • c. A4: Suspension and Steering
  • d. A5: Brakes
  • e. G1: Auto Maintenance and Light Repair
  • f. T4: Brakes
  • g. T8: Preventive Maintenance and Inspection
  • h. Section 609: Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• (A) Proven experience as an auto mechanic.
• (B) Excellent knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and electronic components of vehicles.
• (C) Working knowledge of vehicle diagnostic systems and methods.
• (D) Mechanical knowledge, which enables the car mechanic to handle various tools efficiently and use them effectively.
• (E) Ability to handle various tools and heavy equipment.
• (F) Willingness to observe all safety precautions for protections against accidents, dangerous fluids, chemicals, etc.
• (G) Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions; Ability to observe proper safety precautions; Ability to establish working relationships with other employees and supervisors; Ability to perform heavy manual tasks under varying weather conditions; Ability to drive and operate a variety of trucks under varying conditions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Valid Pennsylvania Driver's license with CDL Class A endorsement with combination air brakes, tanker, and hazmat and may require a medical certification card.

Employee is responsible to provide/supply their own toolbox that is adequate for performing the job.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 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 frequently and repetitiously required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in all outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The employee frequently works with hot materials that without wearing the proper clothing or proper safety equipment could cause severe burns. The employee frequently works around heavy equipment

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Revised: 11/8/2022 GH