Equipment Technician

State of South Dakota; Mitchell (SD); On-site; USD 49,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits (SDRS)

Paid leave and holidays

Dental and Vision

Job summary

State of South Dakota is seeking an Equipment Technician in Mitchell, SD. The role involves installing, diagnosing, and repairing diesel and automotive systems in a shop setting, with occasional outdoor work and exposure to weather.

The incumbent will perform major/minor repairs, weld as needed, and ensure preventive maintenance is completed. Ideal candidates hold an associate degree in automotive technology or equivalent, and have experience with diagnostic tools and repair of

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in automotive technology or completion of a post-secondary technical training program (30+ credit hours, ~1 year).
• 1 year of experience in automotive or heavy equipment repair preferred.

Responsibilities

• Install, diagnose, and repair diesel/automotive electrical, hydraulic, and computer systems on vehicles/equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and major/minor repairs; fabricate/modify components; and weld as needed.

Skills

Diesel technology

Electronic diagnostics

Internal combustion engines

DVOM / diagnostic tools

Welding / fabrication

Education

Associate's degree in automotive technology

Tools

Laptop diagnostic software

Scan tools

DVOM

Job description

Job ID: 37641

Agency: Department of Transportation / Operations

Location: Mitchell, SD

Salary: $27.65 per hour, depending on experience

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 10/02/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/.

This position installs, diagnoses, and repairs computer, mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems on vehicles and equipment and sets up new equipment in a Department of Transportation shop. Duties may include, but are not limited to, assembling, setting up, and making adjustments and/or adaptations to new equipment vehicles (e.g., lights, radios/antenna, signs and numbers, license plates, and permanent attachments, etc.); transporting equipment/vehicles to obtain repairs, parts, and/or service; diagnosing mechanical/electrical systems on equipment/vehicles; diagnosing computer system(s) on equipment/vehicles; performing minor and major repairs (e.g., engine, transmission, and differential rebuilding, mechanical system components, brakes, belts, cooling system, suspension, electrical, computer, etc.); fabricating new equipment/components and modifying/rebuilding existing equipment/components; performing welding on a wide variety of equipment/components; installing, maintaining, and repairing winter maintenance equipment systems; performing preventive maintenance and repair to power and hand tools; and evaluating and recommending acquisition of applicable tools and materials.

The incumbent will work indoors and outside with occasional exposure to extreme weather conditions to include exposure to various operating equipment and moving mechanical parts (e.g., high-pressure hoses and connections, power presses, cutting torches), exposure to fumes (e.g., welding, exhaust systems, solvents, gasoline, paints), and may occasionally require work at heights above the ground.

From approximately May 1 to September 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is 10-hour days, 4 days per week. From approximately October 1- April 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday.

The successful candidate will be required to supply his/her own basic personal hand and air tools to do repairs. A tool allowance may be available.

Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with no transmission restrictions within 120 days of hire date to retain employment. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.

Incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification.

Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside of South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.

What The SDDOT Offers

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Equipment Technician is approximately $78,819.00 annually.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

An associate's degree in automotive technology, auto mechanics, diesel mechanics, or completion of a formal post-secondary technical training program in automobile or heavy equipment-related repair (of at least 30 credit hours and one school year in duration) and one year of experience in automotive or heavy equipment repair is preferred.

Knowledge Of

• principles, methods, tools, and equipment of the diesel and automotive technology trade;
• principles of electronic diesel engine computer technology, diagnostics, and repair;
• principles of internal combustion engines, various drive trains, gear boxes, hydraulic systems, and electrical systems;
• electrical monitors and meters to diagnose computer, mechanical and electrical systems on equipment/vehicles (e.g., laptop diagnostic software test, scan tools, Digital Voltage Ohm Meter (DVOM), etc.);
• minor and major repair on equipment and vehicles (e.g., engine, transmission, and differential rebuilding, mechanical system components, brakes, belts, cooling system, air conditioning, suspension, electrical, computer, etc.);
• the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the mechanics' trade.

Skill To

• operate skid loader, front-end loader, telehandler, and forklift;
• perform basic mathematical computations to make precise measurements and develop repair estimates;
• operate general computer software programs and access onboard computer systems;
• fabricate new equipment/components and modify/rebuild existing equipment/components;
• perform welding on a wide variety of equipment/components.

Ability To

• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• treat customers courteously and be responsive to their needs;
• work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals;
• display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
• safely move, drag, and lift 35 pounds frequently, up to 60 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 90 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
• walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time;
• routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here. This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"