Heavy Equipment Technician

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District; Spring Valley (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Life insurance

Vacation & Sick leave

Employee Assistance Program

VEBA

Job summary

La Mesa-Spring Valley School District seeks a Heavy Equipment Technician to maintain district engine equipment and school buses, ensuring safe operation per CHP and federal standards. Responsibilities include repairs, preventive maintenance, and documentation of work performed.

The role requires journey-level experience with heavy-duty equipment, CDL qualifications, and the ability to conduct road tests and emergency repairs as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent GED and five years of journey-level experience in the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty equipment.
• Formal automotive/bus repair training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Check driver daily write-ups to determine vehicle repair needs.
• Communicate with personnel, agencies, and vendors to exchange information and resolve issues.
• Develop a school bus safety and preventative maintenance program per CA laws.
• Maintain a schedule of ongoing bus maintenance and repairs.
• Inspect/repair tools; ensure a safe, clean work environment.
• Perform road tests to verify vehicle safety and performance.

Skills

Heavy-duty maintenance

Electrical systems

Preventive maintenance

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Automotive/bus repair training

Tools

Shop tools

Fleet maintenance software

Job description

Job Summary & Examination Date

2627-10 (Dual-Merged)
An examination will be given to establish an eligibility list for the position of Heavy Equipment Technician in order to fill existing and future vacancies. These positions are full-time, 8 hours per day, 260 paid days per year. The eligibility list will be valid for six months or until exhausted (whichever comes first).

This recruitment has been approved for continuous examination; future test dates will be announced as needed, and future eligibility lists will be merged with this one, until notified otherwise. Applications must be received by filing deadline to be considered for the next test date.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Director, Transportation, maintains District engine equipment and vehicles in safe operating condition in accordance with the requirements and regulations of the California Highway Patrol and the Federal Highway Commission; recommends needed repairs and replacements of assigned equipment; performs required repairs and preventive maintenance; and provides written documentation of repairs to meet District, State and federal requirements; collaborates with other personnel to perform assigned duties as needed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Completed online applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application or supplemental questions; however, applicants may submit resumes along with the completed online application. The application deadline may be extended; dependent on volume of qualified applications received. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Make sure your application thoroughly details your education and work experience.

The examination process may include one or more of the following: written exam, performance and/or technical oral examination.

Examinations

Merit Exam: TBA (by invitation only).

Examinations will be given by appointment only. Following the conclusion of the examination process, the candidates will be ranked and notified of their scores.

All examinations will take place at La Mesa – Spring Valley School District's Education Service Center, 4750 Date Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 (Phone: [phone]) unless notified otherwise. Exam starts promptly at the scheduled time. Latecomers will not be admitted. Candidates will be required to present valid photo identification prior to sign-in.

The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Board Policy 4030 prohibits unlawful discrimination and/or harassment of district employees and job applicants based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital or parental status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Board Policy 4119.11 prohibits sexual harassment of district employees and job applicants. Complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment may be filed with the Coordinator for Nondiscrimination in Employment, the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties

• Checks driver’s daily write-ups to determine vehicle repair needs.
• Communicates with various personnel, outside agencies, and vendors to exchange information, coordinate activities, and resolve issues or concerns.
• Develops a school bus safety and preventative maintenance program in line with the requirements of California laws.
• Maintains a schedule of ongoing bus maintenance and repairs.
• Maintains tools and equipment in safe and operating conditions; inspects and repairs tools as needed; maintains a safe and clean work environment.
• Operates a variety of maintenance tools and equipment, including power and hand tools, air tools, specialized auto parts tools, lifts and hoists, drills, grinders, compressors, mowers, gauges, meters, impact tools, and a variety of ground equipment; drives a vehicle to conduct work.
• Performs a mandated 45-day bus and 90-day vehicle inspections and mandated scheduled services; inspects and performs preventative maintenance on District vehicles and grounds equipment including gas powered engines, compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric buses (ebuses) drive trains, electrical systems, mowers, and trailers according to established procedures; identifies defects and ensures that equipment is in a safe operating condition.
• Performs road tests on all vehicles and ensures that vehicles are in safe operating order.
• Performs various duties in maintaining District engine equipment and vehicles in safe operating condition; recommends needed repairs and replacements of assigned equipment; diagnoses engine malfunctions for gas, diesel-fuelled, CNG, ebus and electric machinery and determines needed engine repairs and replacements; performs duties for major vehicle repairs, including repairs to brake systems, transmissions, and engine systems.
• Prepares and maintains records and documentation related to assigned duties and according to established procedures; operates a computer and assigned software that support department functions.
• Repairs and replaces defective vehicle parts, components, and systems, including heating, brake systems, lights, electrical, tires, and pumps, and ensures the availability of vehicles in a safe operating condition.
• Requisitions and researches parts and supplies and maintains inventories as assigned; contacts vendors as needed.
• Responds to emergency situations related to assigned duties and assists with resolving immediate safety concerns; responds to road calls regarding disabled vehicles; performs emergency repairs in the field as needed, some nights and weekends included.
• Stores waste oil and other hazardous waste for the purposes of disposing of waste properly and providing documentation of disposal.
• Works as a team to oversee the shop operations, including providing work guidance to new staff, to ensure the efficient and effective use of staff resources and the quality of work.

Other Duties

• Attends and participates in meetings, in-service trainings, workshops, and conferences.
• Fabricates, welds, and repairs parts using Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding techniques.
• Performs related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the District.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination equivalent to: graduation from high school or equivalent GED and five years of journey-level experience in the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty equipment (school bus, trailers, etc.), including experience involving gasoline, CNG, and diesel engines. Formal training in automotive, and bus (fuel and electric) repair preferred.

License(s) Required

• Valid California Class C driver’s license and evidence of insurability to perform work
• California Class B with Passenger endorsement (must be completed within 6 months of hire)

Certifications And Testing Required

• Pass the District’s job-related merit exam
• After offer of employment, obtain:
• Criminal Justice and FBI Fingerprint Clearance
• Negative TB test result plus periodic post-employment retest as required (currently every four years)
• Pre-employment physical exam through District’s provider at District’s expense
• Consent to participate in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse
• Enrollment in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program
• Enrollment in Department of Transportation random drug screening program

Knowledge Of

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic record-keeping techniques
• Basic understanding of electric buses (ebus)
• Health and safety regulations
• Internal combustion gasoline, diesel and CNG engines
• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the repair of engine equipment and vehicles
• Operation, maintenance, and repair of small and large gasoline and diesel-powered grounds maintenance equipment and vehicles
• Operation of a computer and assigned software
• Preventative maintenance of District vehicles and equipment
• Proper lifting techniques
• Proper methods and techniques related to the maintenance and repair of hydraulic systems
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials, and supplies

Skills And Abilities To

• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Learn to fabricate, weld, and repair parts
• Learn welding techniques
• Maintain routine records
• Make repairs in a timely manner
• Maintain, diagnose, repair, and adjust a variety of light and heavy power-driven maintenance equipment
• Maintain schedules and timelines associated with vehicle repairs
• Observe health and safety regulations
• Operate hand and power tools, and other equipment used in the repair of grounds maintenance equipment and vehicles
• Operate standard office equipment, including a computer and assigned software
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Work cooperatively with others
• Work independently with little direction

Work Environment / Physical Demands

(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• Exposure to chemical fumes and vapors such as gasoline and diesel fuel
• High voltage electrical systems
• Outdoor and repair shop environment
• Seasonal heat, cold, and adverse weather conditions
• Subject to noise from equipment operation
• Working in a cramped or restrictive work chamber
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching to perform repair and maintenance tasks
• Climbing ladders
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate tools and equipment
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy objects as assigned by the position
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally
• Seeing to perform repairs
• Standing for extended periods of time
• Traffic Hazards
• Working around and with machinery having moving parts
• Working at heights

The District provides excellent benefits for permanent employees who work 20 or more hours per week, including

*Substitute positions do not qualify for District covered benefits*

• Medical: Choice of VEBA (Kaiser or United Health Care)
• Dental: Delta Dental or Delta Care HMO (District-paid for employee only)
• Life: Life ($50,000) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment ($50,000). Also includes MEDEX Travel Assistance (for medical care situations 100 miles from home or international trips up to 90 days; with some exclusions)
• Vacation: (10+); Sick (9.50+ days per year) - vacation/sick accumulation days increase with years of service
• Employee Assistance Program: (at no cost to employee): through San Diego County EAP
• VEBA Optum Health: Employee assistance program * Note: Benefits are subject to change.

Voluntary Plans

• Dependent life insurance coverage
• Disability plans through American Fidelity
• Vision: VSP Vision Care $10.20/monthly paid by employee
• 403(b) Retirement
• MetLaw prepaid legal through Hyatt Legal Plans

In Addition

• Bargaining unit eligible employees may elect to become a CSEA member.
• Employees working 20 hours per week or more are enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system.