Mechanic II

City of Kirkland, WA; Kirkland (WA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Awesome benefits

Childcare programs

Job summary

The City of Kirkland’s Public Works Department is hiring for a full‑time Mechanic II to maintain and repair a diverse fleet, including diesel, hybrid, propane, and electric vehicles. You may upfit vehicles with emergency lighting, mounting, and racks, and provide strong customer service to all City departments.

Progression to Emergency Vehicle Technician is available after certification; a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement is required or obtained within 12 months.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 4 years journey-level experience in repair and maintenance of automobiles and heavy vehicles.
• Valid Washington State Driver's license and insurability to operate City vehicles.
• Combination Driver's License (Class A) with tanker endorsement or obtain within 12 months of hire.
• ASE certification required or to be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• EVT certification after meeting progression criteria.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance on City vehicles and equipment including lube, brakes, and emissions testing.
• Repair and maintenance of City vehicles per priority and budget.
• Upfits and equipment with tool boxes, racks, emergency lighting, and mounting radios.
• Conduct safety checks and inspections to meet standards for public transportation and safety.
• Maintain shop parts inventory and accurate maintenance records.
• Operate shop software and manage work orders; provide customer service to departments.

Skills

Fleet maintenance

Diesel engines

Diagnostics

Customer service

Reading wiring diagrams

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

ASE Certification

EVCC EVT certification

Class A CDL w/tanker endorsement

Job description

Employer

City of Kirkland

Salary

$42.12 - $51.30 Hourly

Location

915 8th St., Kirkland WA 98033, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202100826

Opening Date

09/18/2026

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

TEAM

Job Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is looking to hire one full-time for either the Emergency Vehicle Technician or Mechanic II position. Please reference both job postings and apply to the position that best matches your experience and qualifications.

We welcome candidates from a variety of mechanical backgrounds, including automotive, heavy‑truck, and equipment, diesel, fleet, and other related mechanical fields, and encourage applicants with transferable skills to apply.

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City’s infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City’s largest department, we are committed to the City’s vision and the Department’s mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public’s resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small‑town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests. After completing the probationary period, you will be eligible for an annual tool allowance to help cover the costs of purchasing or replacing tools used to perform your duties.

Job Summary

The role of the Mechanic II is to provide safe, reliable, timely, and productive vehicles and work equipment to the staff of all City Departments. Must have knowledge of and ability to work with all fleet vehicle technologies, including diesel, hybrid, propane, and electric. Must be able to perform in an independent setting and as a coordinated Fleet Team of professionals to provide superior customer service to all customers.

Responsible for achieving a high level of mechanical operational readiness of a diverse fleet of vehicles and equipment through upfitting, maintenance, and repair of emergency response, construction‑type, and staff vehicles. Will have primary responsibility for the Department’s fleet inventory. Will be called upon to assist, back‑up, or work independently in other departments in accordance with workload levels. Diverse fleet of vehicles and equipment includes, but is not limited to, fire, police patrol, prisoner transport, special response, motorcycles, dump trucks, street sweepers, educator trucks, man lift trucks, paving equipment, custom trucks, backhoes, excavators, hybrids, dedicated propane vans/trucks, scooters, wide‑area mowers, riding mowers, snow removal equipment, and staff passenger vehicles.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Mechanic II is the journey‑level position in the series. Upon obtaining an EVCC Emergency Vehicle Technician certification and a Combination Driver's License, the incumbent will progress to the Emergency Vehicle Technician classification.

Essential Functions

• Performs preventive maintenance on City vehicles and equipment, including lube and oil, brakes, filters, hoses, batteries, emission testing and other systems to protect the assets to ensure safety and reliability.
• Performs all possible repairs and maintenance of City vehicles and equipment subject to priority of needs, staff availability and cost.
• Upfits new and existing vehicles and associated equipment with such things as tool boxes, racks and emergency lighting, radio and mobile computer mounting to meet City needs.
• Performs safety checks and inspections on City vehicles and equipment; adjusts, repairs, and replaces parts as necessary; ensures vehicles meet state and local standards for public transportation and safety compliance.
• Operates a variety of equipment and machinery.
• Determines the need for outside assistance in major repairs, seeking approval as necessary.
• Maintains accurate records of maintenance, brake inspections, tires, oil changes, battery changes and tune‑ups, and replaced parts.
• Prepares vehicles for auction and salvage of surplus equipment.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining a preventative maintenance program and schedule.
• Maintains shop area, equipment, and tools in a safe, clean and orderly manner.
• Operates common software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and maintenance management systems.
• Assists in maintaining the shop parts inventory.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency. Be available for emergency response and after‑hours responsibilities.
• Maintains excellent communications with customers across all departments and organizational levels to include e‑mail, phone, and face‑to‑face contact.
• Assists in identifying and selecting outside vendors as required.
• Utilizes a work order system to maintain accurate vehicle cost, and history by vehicle. Utilizes a computerized fleet equipment management system.
• All other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of gas and diesel‑powered trucks and heavy equipment, electrical installation and charging, hydraulics, braking systems (including air brakes), lighting installation, transmissions, and pumps.
• Ability to troubleshoot and accurately diagnose mechanical and complex electrical repairs, including the use of a variety of hand and fixed power tools and equipment.
• Ability to weld, fabricate, and modify equipment.
• Good customer service and communications skills.
• Basic familiarity with PC‑based applications and operating systems.
• Ability to lift 20-50 pounds.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: 4 years journey‑level experience in the repair and maintenance of automobiles, heavy trucks, gas, and diesel engines.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Possess and maintain current Combination Driver's License (Class A) with tanker endorsement or must obtain within 12 months of date of hire (training paid by the City, license endorsement paid by the employee).
• Possess Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, or obtain within 12 months from the date of employment.
• Once an incumbent meets the following criteria, they will move automatically to the EVT position:
  1. EVCC Emergency Vehicle Technician certification
  2. Possess a Combination Driver's License (Class A) tanker endorsement.
• Upon hire, must provide own tool kit consisting of standard and metric, open‑end and socket wrenches. Open‑end wrenches must be standard size 1/4" through 1‑1/4", metric size 6 mm through 22 mm. Socket sets 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive, standard size 1/4" through 1‑1/4", metric size 6 mm through 22 mm. Various pliers, screwdrivers and other hand tools required to perform the essential function of the job must be part of the kit.

Other

Physical Demands and Working Environment: Primarily performs repairs and maintenance in a service bay, and performs other minor repairs in the field during inclement weather. Hazards might include exposure to combustible and poisonous fumes; burns from hot surfaces, welding arc and acid; high noise from tools and vehicles; high pressure hydraulic or water or lines and hoses; and slipping on oily surfaces.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.