Mechanic - Hazmat

Petroleum distribution; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Petroleum distribution in San Antonio, TX, seeks a Truck & Fuel Tanker Mechanic to inspect, maintain, diagnose, and repair tractors and DOT‑regulated petroleum tankers carrying gasoline, diesel, and other hazardous materials.

You will perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems, conduct cargo tank inspections, keep detailed maintenance records, and ensure compliance with DOT/FMCSA/PHMSA safety rules.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years in heavy‑duty diesel fleet maintenance or equivalent.
• Experience with Class 8 tractors and petroleum tanker equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of DOT/PHMSA cargo tank inspections/testing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on tractors and tanker trailers.
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical problems using diagnostic equipment.
• Inspect cargo tanks, valves, piping, vents, and emergency shutoff systems.
• Conduct DOT annual inspections and document outcomes for audits.
• Coordinate third‑party testing or specialized repairs when needed.

Skills

Heavy‑duty diesel expertise

Class 8 tractors experience

V&K cargo tank inspections

Cargo tank pressure testing

DOT/FMCSA compliance knowledge

Electrical and mechanical Troubleshoot

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Diagnostic equipment

Welding equipment

Air brake systems

Job description

Truck & Fuel Tanker Mechanic

Department: Transportation / Fleet Maintenance

Reports To: Fleet Manager / Operations Management

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Position Summary

The Truck & Fuel Tanker Mechanic is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing company-owned tractors and DOT-regulated petroleum tanker trailers used to transport gasoline, diesel, and other hazardous materials.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining fleet reliability, driver safety, regulatory compliance, and equipment availability. The Mechanic is responsible for preventive maintenance, mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, cargo tank inspections and testing, accurate maintenance records, and ensuring tractors and tanker trailers are maintained in safe operating condition and ready for dispatch.

Because the fleet transports hazardous materials, the position requires a strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and compliance with applicable DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, and hazardous-material transportation requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Tractor Maintenance & Repair

• Perform preventive maintenance and repairs on company tractors and related equipment.
• Diagnose and repair diesel engines, air brake systems, suspension, steering, electrical systems, lighting, cooling systems, and other mechanical components.
• Conduct routine oil changes, lubrication, filter replacement, fluid inspections, and scheduled maintenance.
• Diagnose mechanical and electrical problems using appropriate diagnostic equipment.
• Inspect and repair air lines, brake chambers, slack adjusters, wheel-end components, tires, batteries, and related equipment.
• Identify equipment deficiencies before they result in roadside failures or out-of-service conditions.
• Coordinate major repairs or warranty work with outside vendors when necessary.

Petroleum Tanker Trailer Maintenance

• Inspect, maintain, and repair DOT specification cargo tank trailers used for petroleum transportation.
• Inspect and repair valves, piping, vents, manholes, emergency shutoff systems, vapor recovery components, hoses, fittings, and related tanker equipment.
• Inspect trailer braking, suspension, lighting, electrical, landing gear, tires, and wheel-end systems.
• Identify leaks, damaged components, worn seals, defective valves, or other conditions that could affect the safe transportation of hazardous materials.
• Perform or assist with required cargo tank inspections and testing in accordance with applicable DOT/PHMSA requirements and company procedures.
• Perform V&K inspections/testing on petroleum cargo tank trailers when properly trained, qualified, and authorized.
• Perform or assist with cargo tank pressure testing, including inspection of valves, piping, fittings, closures, and other components associated with maintaining cargo tank integrity.
• Identify and document deficiencies discovered during V&K inspections, pressure testing, or other required cargo tank inspections.
• Complete required repairs and verify deficiencies have been corrected before equipment is returned to service.
• Maintain required inspection, testing, and repair documentation for each cargo tank.
• Coordinate third-party testing or specialized repairs when work cannot be performed internally.
• Ensure repairs affecting cargo tank integrity or hazardous-material systems are completed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and company procedures.

Preventive Maintenance & Inspections

• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on tractors and tanker trailers.
• Conduct DOT annual inspections when properly qualified and authorized.
• Review driver DVIRs and promptly investigate reported equipment defects.
• Prioritize safety-related defects and equipment that may create an out-of-service condition.
• Perform post‑repair inspections and verify equipment is safe before returning it to service.
• Maintain an organized preventive maintenance schedule for tractors and trailers.
• Monitor upcoming DOT inspections, V&K testing, pressure testing, and other required cargo tank inspection dates to prevent equipment from operating beyond required inspection intervals.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain accurate maintenance and repair records for tractors and trailers.
• Document preventive maintenance, inspections, repairs, parts replacement, and equipment condition.
• Maintain required records for V&K inspections, cargo tank pressure testing, DOT inspections, and other applicable cargo tank tests and inspections.
• Ensure equipment complies with applicable DOT, FMCSA, PHMSA, and company safety requirements.
• Ensure required inspection and testing markings are properly documented and applied when applicable.
• Immediately report significant safety or compliance concerns to management.
• Maintain maintenance and cargo tank inspection files in a condition suitable for DOT, PHMSA, or company audits.

Shop & Parts Management

• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe maintenance shop.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of commonly used parts, fluids, filters, hoses, fittings, valves, seals, gaskets, and maintenance supplies.
• Notify management when critical parts or supplies need to be ordered.
• Properly maintain company tools, diagnostic equipment, cargo tank testing equipment, and shop equipment.
• Follow appropriate procedures for handling and disposal of used oil, fluids, filters, batteries, and other regulated materials.
• Follow all fire prevention, spill prevention, PPE, and hazardous-material safety requirements.

Roadside & Operational Support

• Respond to equipment breakdowns and mechanical emergencies when required.
• Assist drivers and Dispatch in diagnosing equipment problems.
• Determine whether equipment can safely remain in service or must be removed from operation.
• Coordinate roadside repairs, towing, or vendor assistance when necessary.
• Work with Operations and Dispatch to minimize equipment downtime while never compromising safety or regulatory compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3 years of heavy‑duty diesel truck or commercial fleet maintenance experience preferred.
• Experience working with Class 8 tractors strongly preferred.
• Petroleum tanker, cargo tank, or hazardous‑material transportation equipment experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with V&K cargo tank inspections/testing and cargo tank pressure testing strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of cargo tank valves, vents, piping, emergency shutoff systems, vapor recovery systems, hoses, fittings, and related petroleum trailer equipment.
• Working knowledge of air brake, suspension, electrical, hydraulic, and diesel systems.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical and electrical problems independently.
• Ability to read maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, inspection criteria, and equipment specifications.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• CDL Class A preferred but not required unless needed for assigned job duties.
• DOT inspector qualifications or ability to obtain applicable qualifications preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain any training, qualifications, or certificates required to perform assigned cargo tank inspections, testing, and repairs.
• Welding and fabrication experience is a plus.

Knowledge & Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Knowledge of DOT commercial motor vehicle inspection requirements.
• Understanding of DOT/PHMSA cargo tank inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements applicable to petroleum tanker trailers.
• Understanding of preventive maintenance practices for heavy‑duty fleets.
• Familiarity with petroleum tanker equipment and hazardous‑material transportation operations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
• Ability to independently prioritize repairs based on safety and operational urgency.
• Good organizational and recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with drivers, Dispatch, Fleet Management, Safety, and Operations.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced transportation environment where equipment availability directly affects customer service.

Physical Requirements

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and work underneath commercial vehicles and trailers.
• Frequently lift and carry tools, parts, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally heavier items with appropriate assistance or lifting equipment.
• Climb onto tractors and tanker trailers when necessary to perform inspections, testing, or repairs.
• Work with hand tools, pneumatic tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, pressure‑testing equipment, jacks, lifts, and other shop equipment.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures.
• Work around petroleum products, diesel fuel, gasoline vapors, lubricants, solvents, and other materials commonly encountered in fleet maintenance.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, protective footwear, hearing protection, and other PPE appropriate to the task.

Work Schedule

The position is full‑time and may require overtime based on fleet maintenance needs. The Mechanic may occasionally be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or respond to emergency equipment breakdowns.

Safety Expectations

Safety is an essential function of this position. The Mechanic has the authority and responsibility to remove equipment from service when a condition exists that could compromise driver safety, public safety, cargo tank integrity, regulatory compliance, or the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

Employees are expected to immediately report unsafe equipment, spills, leaks, damaged cargo tank components, failed inspections or tests, or other conditions that could create a safety or environmental risk.

Performance Expectations

Performance will be evaluated based on equipment reliability, preventive maintenance completion, timely completion of DOT and cargo tank inspections/testing, repair quality, maintenance documentation, reduction of preventable roadside failures, shop organization, equipment availability, responsiveness to operational needs, and adherence to company safety standards.