Equipment Mechanic III

City of South Lake Tahoe; South Lake Tahoe (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance

Life Insurance & LD

Deferred Compensation with Matching

Education Incentive Pay

Vacation accrual 88 hours annually

13 paid holidays

Wellness Program

Professional development opportunities

CalPERS

Job summary

The City of South Lake Tahoe is seeking an experienced Equipment Mechanic III to perform advanced maintenance, diagnostic, repair, and fabrication work on the City’s fleet and equipment.

Under the direction of the Fleet Manager, this journey-level role leads mechanics while handling complex repairs across autos, trucks, diesel/gasoline powertrains, alternative-fuel systems, heavy equipment, snow-removal gear, public safety gear, and generators.

Qualifications

• Four years of increasingly responsible automotive/equipment maintenance experience.
• Ability to read and interpret manuals, schematics, and work orders.
• Demonstrated welding, fabrication, and metalworking skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and assign work to mechanics and helpers.
• Diagnose and repair complex mechanical, hydraulic, electrical systems.
• Perform major repairs and overhauls of engines, transmissions, brakes, and hydraulics.
• Inspect work, maintain records, and manage parts/inventory.
• Support snow-removal, public-safety, and emergency equipment maintenance.
• Ensure shop safety and proper hazardous-material handling.

Skills

Advanced diagnostics

Leadership

Welding

Fabrication

Maintenance

Electrical systems

Public safety equipment

Education

Fleet/Heavy-equipment maintenance training

Tools

Diagnostic tools

Job description

The City of South Lake Tahoe is seeking an experienced Equipment Mechanic III to perform advanced maintenance, diagnostic, repair, and fabrication work on the City's fleet and equipment.

Under the direction of the Fleet Manager, this advanced journey-level position leads and assists mechanics while performing the most complex repairs to automobiles, trucks, diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles, alternative-fuel vehicles, heavy equipment, snow-removal equipment, public safety vehicles, fire equipment, generators, and two-way communication systems.

The City offers a comprehensive benefit package for this position, including:

• $82,596 - $100,416 Annual Salary
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
• Deferred Compensation with Matching
• Education Incentive Pay
• 88 Hours of Vacation Annually
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Wellness Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• CalPERS
• City employees may also qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Recruitment Process:
Applications Received: October 15, 2026 - October 29, 2026
In-Person Interviews: Tentatively November 6, 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and assign work to mechanics and mechanic helpers.
• Diagnose and repair complex mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, electronic, and communications-system issues.
• Perform major repairs and overhauls of engines, transmissions, clutches, differentials, hydraulic systems, steering, suspension, brakes, and exhaust systems.
• Perform skilled welding, fabrication, and metalwork.
• Inspect completed work and assist with work scheduling, work orders, records, and inventory.
• Support the maintenance of Police, Fire, and snow-removal equipment.
• Assist with shop safety, hazardous-materials requirements, and parts purchasing.
• Serve as backup for the Inventory Control Specialist and Shop Supervisor, as assigned.
• Work extended or alternative schedules as needed, including 12-hour and late-night shifts during snow-removal operations.

What We're Looking For

• Advanced experience diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining automotive, diesel, gasoline, alternative-fuel, and heavy-equipment systems.
• Strong knowledge of engines, transmissions, hydraulics, electrical and electronic systems, and public safety equipment.
• Skilled welding, fabrication, and use of diagnostic equipment, power tools, and precision instruments.
• Ability to lead, train, and provide technical guidance to mechanics and mechanic helpers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize, assign, and inspect maintenance and repair work.
• Commitment to safe work practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, and hazardous-material procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate work orders, labor entries, repair records, and parts documentation.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with City departments, vendors, and shop staff.
• Flexibility to work extended, alternative, late-night, and 12-hour shifts during winter snow-removal operations.

Experience: Four years of increasingly responsible automotive and equipment maintenance and repair experience comparable to journey-level equipment mechanic work.

Education/Training: Education or specialized training sufficient enough to read, write, and perform skilled fleet, automotive, and heavy-equipment maintenance and repair work.

License: Valid California or Nevada Class B driver's license, or the ability to obtain one by the date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications: ASE Master certification in Heavy Equipment and/or other Master-level ASE certifications. Fire equipment certification is also preferred.