Equipment Mechanic

Santee Cooper; Santee (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Santee is seeking an Equipment Mechanic to service and repair automobiles, trucks, graders and diesel-powered equipment, including firefighting apparatus. This journey-level role works with limited instruction and adapts to changing business needs.

You'll diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic and electronic systems, perform preventive maintenance, read technical manuals, and weld fabrications. A high school diploma plus three years' recent repair experience are required; OSFM Fire

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Three years of recent experience repairing automotive, light and heavy equipment.
• Equipment repair experience should include diesel and small engines.
• OSFM Fire Mechanic and ASE certifications are highly desirable.
• Must obtain OSFM Fire Mechanic Level 1 within the first two years of employment.
• Recent experience defined as within the last five years.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems on light and heavy gasoline and diesel vehicles and equipment.
• Overhaul and repair automobiles, trucks, firefighting apparatus, tractors, graders, backhoe/loader and related equipment.
• Inspect and replace wheel bearings, seals, shocks, steering components, valves and pistons.
• Diagnose cooling, fuel, and exhaust systems.
• Repair brakes, electrical and ignition systems, clutches, differentials and rear axles.
• Tune engines using standard testing equipment.
• Weld and cut to fabricate metal parts and equipment.
• Schedule and perform preventive maintenance on vehicles.
• Operate motor equipment in repair and servicing.
• Read and interpret technical manuals and schematics.
• Perform related duties as required.

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

OSFM Fire Mechanic Certification

ASE Certification (Desirable)

OSFM Fire Mechanic Level 1 (within 2 years)

Job description

Position

Under general supervision, the Equipment Mechanic services and performs major and minor mechanical repairs on automobiles, trucks, graders and power driven, mechanical and diesel equipment including fire vehicles and firefighting apparatus; and performs other related duties. This is a journey-level class and incumbents are expected to perform assigned activities without detailed instructions as to specific procedures to be followed.

Representative Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Performs skilled vehicle maintenance duties involved in troubleshooting, diagnosing, repairing and maintaining a variety of mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic systems on light and heavy gasoline and diesel power-driven vehicles and equipment;
• Overhauls and repairs automobiles, light and heavy trucks, gasoline, diesel and small engines, firefighting apparatus, tractors, graders, backhoe/loader and other automotive and mechanical equipment;
• Inspects, adjusts and replaces necessary parts including wheel bearings, oil seals, shock absorbers, steering mechanisms, valves and pistons;
• Diagnoses and repairs cooling, fuel and exhaust systems;
• Repairs and overhauls brakes (hydraulic and air), electrical and ignition systems, clutches, differentials and rear axle assemblies;
• Tunes engines using standard testing equipment;
• Uses welding and cutting equipment to fabricate metal parts and equipment such as racks, boxes, hoists, machine supports and special automobile, truck and other power-driven body equipment;
• Schedules and performs preventive maintenance on vehicles;
• Operates motor equipment in connection with repair and servicing;
• Reads and interprets technical manuals and schematic diagrams; and
• Performs related duties as required.

For the complete job description, please go to the City of Santee's website at www.cityofsanteeca.gov

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this classification. An example would be:

EDUCATION: Graduation from high school or equivalent; and

EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of recent experience in the overall repair of automotive, light and heavy power-driven equipment.

Equipment repair experience should include work with diesel and small engines.

Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Fire Mechanic and Automotive Service Excellence (A.S.E.) certifications are highly desirable.

Applicant is required to obtain an Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire (OSFM) Fire Mechanic Level 1 within the first two (2) years of employment.

Recent is defined as relevant experience within the last five (5) years.

Evaluation Process

This recruitment is open until filled, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

First review of applications may occur the week of September 28, 2026.

Interested applicants must submit an online application and a completed supplemental questionnaire. Candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the city will be invited to participate in the examination process for this position which may consist of any or all of the following components: Appraisal interview, a written exercise, or a practical skills assessment.

PANEL INTERVIEW: Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026.

SELECTION INTERVIEW: TBD

The City may change these testing and interview dates at its discretion due to departmental staffing and operational needs.

Special Requirements

The applicant selected will be subject to a criminal history investigation through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and a thorough background check. A waiver for reference and background information must be completed.

A Class A California driver's license with air brake and tank endorsement is required within twelve (12) months of hire and must be maintained for the period of employment. A safe driving record is required and must be maintained during period of employment. It is City policy that mechanics have available and use their own tools, however, the City has a Tool Reimbursement policy for authorized tools. Specialized tools will be supplied by the City.

Employees in this position are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing as required by the Department of Transportation. All prospective drivers must provide a copy of their current driving record at time of application. The applicant selected will have his or her DMV record signed, dated, and retained until receipt of his/her PNP record.

The applicant selected will be given a conditional offer of employment pending the outcome of a post-offer physical and drug test.

Additionally, applicants will be required to provide written authorization allowing the City to contact previous employers to determine if the applicant has previously tested positive for drugs or alcohol or refused to submit for testing.

City of Santee employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.