Heavy Equipment Service Worker

Ventura County; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation accrual

Sick leave

Holidays

Pension plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Job summary

Ventura County Fire Protection District is seeking an entry-level Equipment Mechanic with a focus on preventative maintenance for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and fire engines. Candidates should have 2+ years in automotive or heavy equipment maintenance, with ASE certifications in Gasoline/Diesel Engines and PMI preferred.

The role involves servicing vehicles in shop and field, with opportunities to advance in a comprehensive benefits program and potential for specialized training.

Qualifications

• Two years of automotive or heavy equipment maintenance experience
• Experience servicing and performing minor repairs of automobiles or heavy construction equipment
• ASE certifications in Gasoline Engines, Diesel Engines, and PMI are desirable

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance services and safety inspections on vehicles, heavy construction equipment, and fire engines
• Replace belts, brakes, filters, air cleaners, and other parts; adjust brakes and tracks
• Balance and repair tires and tubes; perform minor mechanical repairs
• Assist mechanics and perform engine tune-ups as needed
• Prepare and maintain service and repair records
• Operate vehicles during servicing and repairs
• Use test equipment, grinders, hoists, and shop tools
• Perform simple welding and minor body work as required
• Dismantle/replace body components and perform spot painting
• Enter data and write reports

Skills

ASE Gasoline Engines

ASE Diesel Engines

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

What We Offer

• Educational Incentive: An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree OR 5% for completion of a graduate degree.
• Vacation Accrual: New regular, full-time employees shall accrue approximately 14 days of vacation a year for the first 10,400 hours or 5 years of service; vacation accruals increase at 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 20 years of service topping out at 26 days a year and 400 hours of vacation hours banked.
• Vacation Redemption: After 14,560 hours of continuous service an employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 80 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months.
• Sick Leave: Full-time Regular employees accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave per pay period with an advance at hire of 40.04 hours which will be balanced at the completion of 13 bi-weekly pay periods.
• Deferred Compensation: Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans: Full-time employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans: Tier One for employee only is $463.99 per biweekly pay period, Tier Two for employee plus one is $834.32 per biweekly pay period and Tier Three for employee plus family is $1,024.11 per biweekly pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre‑tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Pension Plan: Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Holidays: 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Bilingual Incentive: Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational necessity and certification of skill.

The Position

Under general supervision, inspects, repairs, lubricates and services gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, construction equipment; and fire engines, assists mechanics and performs related duties as required.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has at least three (3) years of experience performing preventative maintenance and minor repairs on medium to heavy duty trucks and heavy equipment, possesses ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications in Gasoline Engines, Diesel Engines, and Preventive Maintenance Inspection, possesses a California Class A Driver License, a good driving record, works well with others, and has excellent customer service skills.

Agency / Department

Fire Protection District

Veteran’s Points

This is an entry level classification, and Veteran’s Points may apply to eligible applicants.

Tentative Schedule

Opening Date: Fri day, October 16, 2026

Closing Date: Fri day, October 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

Review of Applications: Week of November 2, 2026

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs preventative maintenance services and safety inspections on vehicles, heavy construction equipment, and fire engines in the shop and field. May also service and repair gas powered chain saws, mowers and other small equipment, generator sets and breathing air compressors;
• Replaces fan belts, brakes, filters, air cleaners, shock absorbers, mufflers and similar parts, adjusts brakes, tracks and clutches; and steam cleans vehicles, equipment, tools and components;
• Balances and repairs vehicle and construction equipment, tires and tubes;
• Makes minor mechanical repairs and adjustments, assists mechanics in the overhaul and repair of vehicles and heavy equipment; and may perform engine tune‑ups;
• Prepares and maintains service and repair records.
• Operates vehicles and equipment as necessary during servicing and repairs;
• Uses test equipment, grinders, hoists and other shop tools;
• Performs simple welding in repair of vehicles and fabrication of equipment attached to vehicles;
• Removes and replaces body components, such as lights, mirrors, bumpers, mud flaps, tailgates and seats. May perform minor body repair and do spot painting;
• Uses computer equipment for engine transmission and brake diagnostics;
• Writes reports, enters and retrieves data;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education, Training, and Experience

Some experience in automotive or heavy equipment maintenance that demonstrates possession of, and competency in the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by at least two (2) years of experience servicing and performing minor repairs of automobiles OR at least one (1) year of experience servicing and performing minor repairs of heavy construction equipment.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver license at time of hire.
• Within twelve (12) months of employment, the incumbent must obtain and thereafter maintain a valid Class A California Driver License with applicable endorsements. Employees who are required to possess a commercial driver license are subject to the Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Random Testing Program.
• Within twelve (12) months of employment, the incumbent must obtain and thereafter maintain any license or certification that is currently required by the State of California for repair and/or operation of County vehicles or equipment.
• Within two (2) years of employment, the incumbent must obtain and maintain within two (2) years of employment, a certification in Fire Pumps and Accessories from the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission (EVT).
• Must be willing and able to work in adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, high winds, and excessive heat.
• Must be willing and able to work overtime, rotating shifts including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as deemed necessary.
• This position requires a full range of mobility and physical capability, including standing, walking, sitting, climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and twisting. Duties also require manual dexterity for keyboarding, fine manipulation, power grasping, pushing, pulling, and reaching at or above shoulder height. The role involves lifting and moving objects weighing 26–50 pounds and occasionally more than 50 pounds, as well as operating and driving vehicles and equipment as needed.

Desired

• ASE certifications in Gasoline Engines, Diesel Engines, and Preventive Maintenance Inspection.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: operation and basic theory of diesel and gasoline engines; fuel, ignition and electrical systems pertaining to vehicles, apparatus and construction equipment; and basic theory of hydraulics, air and liquid cooling systems, tire and tube repairing and vulcanizing equipment.
Working skill in: using shop, fabrication, welding, and testing equipment.
Working ability to: follow oral instructions; perform tasks requiring physical exertion and manual dexterity; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Final Filing Date

Applications must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026.

Note

If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire, if applicable, to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

Application Evaluation

All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

Supplemental Questionnaire

All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

Written Examination - 100%

An unproctored, internet-based job-related written examination will be conducted to evaluate participating candidates’ knowledge of heavy equipment and safety. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidate Placement

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established for this position may be used to fill existing and future regular, temporary, fixed‑term, intermittent and extra‑help positions within the Fire Protection District. There is currently one (1) vacancy.

Background Investigation

A thorough pre‑employment, post offer background investigation, which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record, is required for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Jeff Weaver by email at [e-mail].