Electronic Technician

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) seeks an Electronic Technician to perform skilled testing, diagnosis, repair, and installation of electronic systems and equipment across its bus fleet and related infrastructure. Strong focus on safety, reliability, and proper documentation is required.

Ideal candidates will read blueprints, troubleshoot solid-state circuits, and support fellow technicians while maintaining logs and reporting on repairs.

Qualifications

• AA or AS degree in Electronic or Computer Technology and 1 year of experience in electronic maintenance and repair.
• Must have a valid California Class C driver's license and be able to obtain Class B with passenger endorsement and LRV operator certification.
• Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd hours.

Responsibilities

• Test, diagnose, repair and install electronic systems and equipment on transit vehicles.
• Troubleshoot solid state electronic systems and digital control systems.
• Read blueprints and schematics and log repairs into computer systems.
• Calibrate and repair test equipment and maintain inventories.
• Prepare written reports and documentation of defects and repairs.
• May be assigned to different maintenance facilities or respond to road calls for emergency repairs.

Skills

Solid state circuitry

Troubleshooting

Reading blueprints/schematics

Education

AA/AS in Electronic or Computer Technology

Tools

Test equipment

Job description

The Division: Bus Maintenance

Are you experienced in the skilled testing, diagnosis, repair, and installation of advanced electronic systems in vehicles? If so, VTA is hiring Electronic Technicians to maintain our vital equipment, communications systems, and surveillance components.

Come join our team to ensure our technology remains operational, safe, and reliable across all VTA vehicles and equipment.

VTA buses are maintained at three bus operating divisions - Chaboya, North, and Cerone. The Cerone Overhaul and Repair department provides heavy repair, component rebuild, an electronics shop, upholstery and additional maintenance services. Bus Maintenance includes timely and reliable maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspections, and transit bus and service equipment servicing.

After a bus returns from revenue service at the end of each day, Maintenance pulls the cash vault, analyzes the driver defect card, fuels the bus, cleans the interior and exterior, cleans and/or replaces seats and windows, and removes and repairs any vandalism or graffiti. Regular preventive maintenance is performed at prescheduled cycles every 2,000, 6,000, 12,000, and 24,000 miles, as well as in preparation for winter and summer driving conditions, to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, safety and reliability.

The Overhaul and Repair department provides paint and body repair, upholstery, farebox repair, electronics repair, component overhaul, and the heavy repair/rebuild of engines, transmissions, and other components. The Road Call Maintenance unit is part of Running Repair/Corrective Maintenance and performs diagnostic and minor field repairs to VTA buses in revenue service.

What you'll be doing:

Definition

Under general supervision, the Electronic Technician performs skilled testing, diagnosis, repair, and installation of electronic systems and equipment; and also testing and repair of communications systems, surveillance equipment, and other related equipment.

The ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a skilled, safety-conscious Electronic Technician with strong experience troubleshooting solid-state circuitry and digital control systems—including revenue collection, public address, and radio communication systems. They understand electrical theory and general shop safety, with a proven ability to test, repair, and install electronic systems on transit vehicles. This candidate can read blueprints and schematics, adapt to new transit technologies, and easily log repairs into computer work systems. Above all, they are a proactive team player who writes clear reports, supports fellow technicians, and builds positive working relationships.

About VTA

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.

Typical Tasks

• Repairs, replaces, or modifies electronic and electrical components and defective parts for a variety of equipment and systems controls;
• Troubleshoots solid state electronic systems;
• Fabricates and installs special electronic testing systems;
• Services and maintains microprocessor control systems;
• Inspects new microprocessor and solid state systems installed by contractors;
• Calibrates and repairs test equipment;
• Maintains parts inventory and computer inventory records;
• Prepares various activity and status reports;
• Prepares written reports, documents defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders, or designated computer programs;
• Operates computer for related data input and retrieval;
• May be assigned to various maintenance facilities on a project basis or called upon to respond to a road call for emergency repairs;
• May familiarize other Electronic Technicians in the proper method of performing their job;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training, education, and experience equivalent to an AA or AS degree from an accredited college in Electronic or Computer Technology and one (1) year of experience in electronic maintenance and repair.

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to qualify for and maintain a Class B (Commercial) license with passenger endorsement and an LRV operator certification is required.

Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.

Knowledge of:

• Solid state circuitry diagnostic and repair techniques and procedures;
• Test equipment and tools needed in the repair, maintenance, and installation of electronic and electrical systems and equipment;
• Theory and principles of electronic and electrical equipment and circuits;
• Analog and digital control systems;
• General shop safety procedures.

Ability to:

• Test and repair electronic and electrical equipment and systems;
• Read and interpret blue prints, maintenance manuals, schematics, construction drawings, and specifications;
• Keep current with state-of-the-art repair methods and procedures developments;
• Learn operating system languages as required;
• Prepare written reports, document defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders, or designated computer programs;
• Perform computer-related functions that allow for data input and retrieval;
• Effectively read, understand, and use technical information found in repair manuals, service change bulletins, and applicable technical documents, including parts and supply manuals;
• Learn and stay current on all new technologies introduced into the transit industries as it relates to bus and light rail vehicle electronic maintenance;
• Familiarize other Electronic Technicians in the proper method of performing their job;
• Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.

STEM OPT

While VTA is an E-Verify employer, we do not participate in the F-1 STEM OPT extension program or host formal Form I-983 training plans for this position. Candidates must be independently authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring STEM OPT support.

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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.