Mechanic/Welder

Lamar County MS; Mississippi; On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamar County is seeking a Mechanic/Welder to perform skilled welding, fabrication and metal-repair work for fleet, facilities and infrastructure. Primary duties include welding, fabricating and repairing metal components, plus routine mechanical maintenance to support Central Maintenance operations.

Responsibilities include reading diagrams, inspecting welds, and ensuring safety and compliance with county policies. Field welding and on-site repairs may be required at Road Department locations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Vocational, technical, or trade-school training in welding, fabrication, automotive or diesel mechanics preferred.
• Previous welding and metal-fabrication experience required.
• Experience with vehicle/trailer/heavy equipment maintenance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform welding, cutting, brazing and metal-fabrication work using appropriate techniques and equipment.
• Read and interpret measurements, diagrams, sketches, specifications and work instructions.
• Inspect welds and completed work for fit, strength, alignment and quality.
• Repair cracks, worn components, brackets, frames and other metal parts.
• Operate welding equipment and shop tools safely.
• Perform field welding and repairs at county locations as needed.

Skills

Welding principles

Reading measurements

Fabrication

Mechanical repair

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational/trade training in welding

Tools

MIG welding

Stick welding

TIG welding (plus)

Plasma cutter

Grinders/ drills/ saws

Job description

Location/Department

Purvis, MS/Central Maintenance

Rate of Pay

$20.00/hour

Position Summary

See Attached Job Description

This job description is not intended and should not be considered to be a complete list of all duties, skills, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reasonable outline of those principal job elements essential in maintaining related position. The job description is not a contract, the County reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time.

JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY

The Mechanic/Welder performs skilled welding, fabrication, and metal-repair work for Lamar County’s fleet, equipment, facilities, and infrastructure. Welding and fabrication are the primary responsibilities of this position. The employee also performs mechanical maintenance and repair work as needed to support Central Maintenance operations. Work may include fabricating and repairing metal components; welding vehicle bodies, trailers, equipment, attachments, gates, and structural components; performing preventive maintenance; diagnosing mechanical problems; and repairing County-owned vehicles and equipment, along with other duties as assigned. The employee must perform all duties safely and comply with applicable County policies and safety requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Welding and Fabrication Duties

• Perform welding, cutting, brazing, fitting, and metal-fabrication work using appropriate techniques and equipment.


• Perform MIG, stick, and other welding processes appropriate for the assigned work.


• Fabricate, modify, and repair metal parts and components for vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment, machinery, buildings, gates, handrails, and other County property.


• Read and interpret measurements, diagrams, sketches, specifications, and work instructions.


• Measure, cut, shape, position, align, and secure metal components before welding.


• Inspect welds and completed work to ensure proper fit, strength, alignment, and quality.


• Repair cracks, breaks, worn components, brackets, frames, beds, hitches, attachments, and other metal parts.


• Operate welding machines, torches, plasma cutters, grinders, drills, saws, presses, and other fabrication equipment.


• Select appropriate welding materials, equipment settings, and methods based on the type and thickness of the metal.


• Prepare surfaces by cleaning, grinding, beveling, and removing rust, paint, grease, or other contaminants.


• Assist with the design and construction of replacement parts or customized components when commercially manufactured parts are unavailable or impractical.


• Perform field welding and repair work at Road Department work sites or other County locations as needed.


• Establish and maintain safe hot-work areas and protect surrounding employees, equipment, and property from sparks, heat, fumes, and fire hazards.


• Inspect welding equipment, leads, hoses, regulators, cylinders, grounds, ventilation systems, and safety devices before use.


• Properly handle, secure, store, and transport compressed-gas cylinders and welding supplies.


• Maintain welding equipment and report damaged or unsafe equipment promptly.

Mechanical Duties

• Assist with the inspection, maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of County-owned vehicles, trucks, trailers, tractors, and heavy equipment as needed.


• Perform preventive-maintenance services, including checking and replacing fluids, filters, belts, hoses, batteries, brakes, and other components.


• Assist with diagnosing and repairing mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, steering, suspension, cooling, and fuel-system problems.


• Repair or replace damaged and worn mechanical components.


• Perform tire repair, mounting, replacement, and inspection when assigned.


• Use diagnostic equipment, hand tools, power tools, jacks, lifts, and other shop equipment safely.


• Respond to field repair calls and perform mobile welding or mechanical repairs when necessary.


• Assist with the recovery, loading, unloading, and transport of disabled vehicles or equipment when assigned.

General Responsibilities

• Complete maintenance records, work orders, inspection forms, and material-use documentation accurately and promptly.


• Maintain an organized inventory of welding rods, wire, gases, metal stock, replacement parts, and related supplies.


• Notify the supervisor when materials, parts, tools, or supplies need to be ordered.


• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe shop and work area.


• Properly store tools, welding equipment, materials, flammable products, and compressed-gas cylinders.


• Follow all County safety policies, lockout/tagout procedures, hot-work requirements, fire-prevention practices, and equipment-manufacturer instructions.


• Wear required personal protective equipment, including welding helmets, protective lenses, gloves, protective clothing, safety footwear, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and fall protection, as applicable.


• Immediately report injuries, property damage, equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, and near-miss incidents.


• Work cooperatively with mechanics, equipment operators, Road Department crews, department heads, and other County employees.


• Assist other Central Maintenance and Road Department employees when operational needs require.


• Respond to emergency, overtime, or after-hours assignments when required.


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or GED preferred.


• Vocational, technical, or trade-school training in welding, fabrication, automotive mechanics, diesel mechanics, or a related field preferred.


• Previous experience performing welding and metal-fabrication work.


• Experience performing mechanical maintenance or repairs on vehicles, trucks, trailers, tractors, or heavy equipment preferred.


• Ability to safely perform MIG and stick welding; experience with TIG welding is a plus.


• Welding certification is preferred but may not be required if the applicant demonstrates the necessary knowledge and skill.


• Valid Mississippi driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.


• Commercial driver’s license preferred and may be required based on assigned duties or the vehicles operated.


• Ability to provide standard hand tools if required by the department.


• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.


• Ability to successfully complete all required pre-employment and ongoing screenings.


• Ability to work the assigned schedule and report for overtime, emergency, or after-hours work when required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The employee must possess or be able to develop:

• Knowledge of welding principles, methods, materials, equipment, and safety practices.


• Knowledge of metal types, characteristics, thicknesses, and appropriate welding techniques.


• Skill in measuring, cutting, fitting, aligning, welding, grinding, and finishing metal components.


• Ability to evaluate damaged components and determine an appropriate repair or fabrication method.


• Ability to identify weak, cracked, worn, or unsafe welds and metal components.


• Basic knowledge of gasoline and diesel engines, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, brakes, steering, suspension, and related vehicle and equipment systems.


• Knowledge of shop safety, hot-work procedures, fire prevention, compressed-gas safety, ventilation, and required personal protective equipment.


• Ability to safely operate welding equipment, cutting torches, grinders, power tools, lifts, jacks, diagnostic equipment, and related machinery.


• Ability to read measuring devices, diagrams, sketches, service manuals, and equipment specifications.


• Ability to estimate the materials, time, and equipment needed to complete assigned work.


• Ability to maintain accurate maintenance and repair records.


• Ability to recognize workplace hazards and take appropriate corrective action.


• Ability to troubleshoot problems and complete assignments with limited supervision after receiving appropriate instruction.


• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, vendors, and other County employees.


• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.


• Dependability, punctuality, attention to detail, and a commitment to safe work practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

The employee must be able to:

• Regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, reach, push, pull, and climb.


• Work in awkward or confined positions, including underneath, inside, or on top of vehicles and equipment.


• Frequently use hands and arms to handle tools, welding equipment, parts, and materials.


• Regularly lift and carry tools, parts, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds and perform team lifting or use mechanical assistance for heavier or awkward items.


• Climb onto and off vehicles, trailers, machinery, lifts, ladders, and equipment.


• Maintain balance while working on uneven, elevated, wet, oily, or slippery surfaces.


• Perform sustained physical work for extended periods.


• Possess sufficient manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, depth perception, near vision, distance vision, and color recognition to perform welding and mechanical work safely.


• Possess sufficient hearing to understand instructions, detect warnings, and recognize abnormal equipment sounds.


• Safely operate County vehicles, shop machinery, welding equipment, and related tools.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a maintenance shop, outdoors, at roadside locations, and at other County facilities or work sites. The employee may be exposed to:

• Welding arcs, sparks, flames, hot metal, and ultraviolet or infrared radiation;


• Welding fumes, gases, smoke, dust, solvents, lubricants, fuel, and exhaust;


• Compressed-gas cylinders and flammable materials;


• Loud or continuous noise and vibration;


• Moving mechanical parts, vehicles, and heavy equipment;


• Sharp tools, metal edges, flying particles, and grinding debris;


• Electrical, burn, fire, and explosion hazards;


• Heat, cold, rain, humidity, wind, and direct sunlight;


• Uneven, wet, oily, muddy, or slippery surfaces;


• Confined spaces or elevated work areas when properly authorized and equipped; and


• Traffic and active roadside work zones.


• The employee must comply with all Lamar County safety requirements and use required personal protective equipment.

Lamar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

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