Heavy Equipment Mechanic

City of Oakland; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid holidays

Vacation

Job summary

The City of Oakland’s Public Works Department is seeking two journey-level Heavy Equipment Mechanics to inspect, diagnose, and repair the City’s fleet of heavy equipment, including fire apparatus and street sweepers. You will perform preventative maintenance, read repair manuals, and work safely in a busy shop.

Applicants should have four years of journey-level experience (or a two-year apprenticeship plus two years) and a valid California Class A driver's license with required endorsements.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Four years of journey level heavy equipment repair experience.
• California Class A driver's license with required endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, diagnose, and repair mechanical, fuel, emissions, and electrical systems in heavy equipment.
• Test, repair, and/or rebuild pump systems in heavy equipment.
• Identify and place parts orders for maintenance and repairs.
• Document labor and parts used via electronic work orders.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance and ensure safety/regulatory compliance.

Skills

Heavy equipment repair

Diagnostics

Teamwork

Safety focus

Reading manuals

Electrical systems

Mechanical insight

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two-year apprenticeship + 2 years experience

Job description

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone. Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Why join the City of Oakland Public Works Department?

The City of Oakland’s Public Works Department, Equipment Services Division, is looking for two (2) Heavy Equipment Mechanics with journey level experience. Heavy Equipment Mechanics assist the division in performing routine maintenance and repairs on the City’s fleet of heavy equipment, including but not limited to, fire apparatus, street sweepers, refuse packers, pick-up trucks, and other miscellaneous equipment types.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly skilled in the maintenance and repair of heavy equipment
• Knowledgeable about industry best practices and procedures
• Able to diagnose and repair emission and electrical systems
• Able to read and comprehend repair manuals and diagnostic flow charts
• Safety-focused, with a commitment to safe work practices and regulatory compliance
• Team-oriented, and able to collaborate effectively in a shop environment

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Inspecting, diagnosing, and repairing mechanical defects, fuel systems, emissions systems, and electrical systems in heavy equipment
• Testing, repairing, and/or rebuilding pump systems in heavy equipment
• Identifying and placing parts orders for equipment maintenance and repairs
• Documenting the labor and parts used for repairs using electronic work orders
• Performing routine preventative maintenance on a variety of heavy equipment
• Ensuring all work is completed safely and in compliance with applicable regulations and standards

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You’ll be part of a supportive team environment that values collaboration and shared success
• There are opportunities for career development and advancement
• You’ll make a real impact by keeping essential City equipment running and supporting critical public services
• There’s variety in your workday, with opportunities to work on a wide range of heavy equipment and systems

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be expected to meet tight deadlines for maintenance and repairs
• You will use a wide variety of equipment types which may result in a significant learning curve
• You will need to be adaptable as this position demands a diverse workload, making every day different and demanding

Competencies Required:

• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Environmental Exposure Tolerance: Performing under physically demanding conditions.
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work.
• Manual Dexterity: Using senses, hands, and fingers in manipulating objects quickly and efficiently.
• Mechanical Insight: Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact.
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.

This recruitment will produce an Open list. The open list will be for all applicants who pass all stages of the recruitment process.

Any combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the following minimum qualifications may be acceptable.

Education:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

Four years of journey level working experience in heavy equipment repair work.
OR
Two year apprenticeship program in accredited trade school program plus two years experience.

Licenses/Other Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class A, with the ability to drive vehicles with air brakes and manual transmission with hazardous material endorsement and tank endorsement included, must be obtained by the end of the probationary period and maintained throughout employment with the City of Oakland. License requirements are subject to changes in State and Federal law, and the City of Oakland must comply with mandated changes at all times.

Desirable Qualifications

• ASE Truck Certification
• Industry related certifications and/or training classes
• AS degree in Automotive Technologies, Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies or a related field

The Recruitment Process:

The City of Oakland works with a Civil Service system. Applicants apply online, and HR staff reviews their experience, education, and training listed on the application against the “minimum qualifications” listed for each position.

Candidates who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements are then invited to participate in an assessment process (or testing) to measure their knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas.

Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will have an opportunity to request a final review. Candidates must request a final review within 5 business days of being notified that they did not meet the minimum qualifications.

In the final review, candidates may clarify information already provided on their application. No additional work history, education, or certifications will be accepted. Any decisions made during this review process will be final.

For this recruitment, all qualified applicants will be invited to the structured interview (sometimes referred to as an Oral Exam) (weighted 100%), which will be evaluated and rated by subject matter experts. The structured interview will be conducted as a one-way video interview, where you will record your responses to a set of questions. You will have seven days from the time you receive the interview link to complete and submit your video responses. The tentative date of the structured interview is the week of November 30, 2026.

Candidates requesting reasonable accommodations for the examination process must request accommodations no later than one week before they are scheduled to take the exam; otherwise, it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation in Testing form by copying and pasting the link into your browser to open it: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Request-for-Reasonable-Accommodation-in-Testing-2.9.22-Fillable.pdf. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to the exam analyst: Cynthia Ng at [e-mail]

Candidates who pass each stage in the process will be placed on an eligible list. Some candidates may receive extra points, for example, if you are a Veteran with an honorable discharge, or if you are a current City of Oakland resident. If you’re applying to a “restricted” posting and you are eligible as a current City employee, you may also receive additional points for your City service. Extra points are only applied to passing scores, so if you do not pass every element of the testing process, you cannot use extra points to pass.

The City of Oakland reserves the right to modify the selection process and date of examination as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

What's in it for you?

• 15 paid holidays
• Vacation– 2 weeks per year minimum with the ability to accrue more depending on public sector years of service
• Retirement – CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) with a pension formula of 2.5% @ 55 (for Classic CalPERS members) and 2% @ 62 for new CalPERS members. Classic Employees contribute 8% of pre-tax wages. The City of Oakland does not participate in Social Security
• Health – The City of Oakland pays for the cost of employee and eligible dependent coverage at the Kaiser rate. Other plans include Anthem, Blue Shield, United Health Care and other HMO and PPO plans
• Dental – The City of Oakland pays for Delta Dental full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Vision – The City of Oakland pays for VSP full premium for employees and eligible dependents
• Sick leave – Employees accrue 12 days per year
• Deferred Compensation – 457(b) pre-tax plan and an after-tax ROTH 401(k)plan
• Other benefits include a Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Training, & Telecommuting.

*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found here: Working for Oakland | City of Oakland, CA

Applicants are required to submit criminal history information upon request after receiving a conditional offer of employment. If the requested information is not furnished in a timely manner, applicants will not qualify for further consideration and will be removed from the eligible list.

Disaster Service Workers

All employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. 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.