Service Technician

Cal-Line Equipment; Ulmar (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

PTO accrual

Paid holidays

401(k) match

Job summary

Cal-Line Equipment in California is seeking a Shop Service Technician to diagnose, repair, recondition, and maintain forestry equipment in the shop. You will perform hands-on mechanical, engine, hydraulic, and electrical work on chippers, stump grinders, grinders, tracked aerial lifts, and related equipment under the Service Manager's direction.

The role emphasizes high-quality repairs, accurate documentation, safety, and timely turnaround, with opportunities for factory training and teamwork

Qualifications

• Two to five years of equipment service, repair, or maintenance experience; experience with tree care, forestry, landscape, or aerial lift equipment preferred.
• Working knowledge of gas and diesel engines and mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems, including reading schematics and using diagnostic tools.
• Manufacturer certifications (Bandit, CMC, or similar), ASE, or aerial lift (MEWP) certifications preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with a commitment to repair quality, productivity, and fast equipment turnaround.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record required; Class B CDL a plus for road testing chip trucks.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair hand-fed chippers (drum and disc), whole tree chippers, stump grinders, horizontal grinders, tracked aerial lifts, remote-operated mowers, and chip truck bodies.
• Service gas and diesel engines, including fuel, cooling, and Tier 4 emissions/aftertreatment systems, as well as hydraulic systems, electrical and electronic controls, clutches, belts, drives, bearings, and track undercarriages.
• Perform cutting-system service: chipper knife and anvil replacement and adjustment, stump grinder tooth and pocket replacement, and drum, disc, and cutter-wheel inspection.
• Perform new equipment pre-delivery inspection (PDI), setup, and delivery preparation, and prepare demo units for customer demonstrations.
• Perform aerial lift inspections, repairs, and testing in accordance with manufacturer requirements and applicable ANSI A92 standards.
• Complete assigned repairs in the priority order set by the Service Manager, based on customer needs, workload, and parts availability.
• Manage assigned workload to maintain productivity, repair quality, and timely work order completion, and communicate delays or additional repair needs to the Service Manager.
• Perform quality work the first time to reduce rework, control costs, and support overall shop efficiency.
• Verify the function of all safety systems before release, including chipper feed-control and emergency stop systems, stump grinder guards and controls, and aerial lift interlocks, alarms, and emergency lowering.
• Run and test repaired equipment under operating conditions to confirm the repair and identify any remaining issues.
• Confirm that required repairs, inspections, and testing are complete before submitting equipment to the Service Manager for release.
• Work Order Documentation: Complete work orders accurately and thoroughly, documenting parts, labor, materials, repair notes, hour-meter readings, and serial numbers.
• Document repairs to meet Cal-Line, manufacturer (including Bandit and CMC), customer, billing, and warranty requirements, including photos and failed-part retention when required.
• Communication & Teamwork: Represent Cal-Line professionally in any customer or vendor interactions, including walking customers through completed repairs when requested.
• Communicate repair status, findings, and additional repair needs clearly to the Service Manager.
• Escalate equipment issues, warranty concerns, recurring failures, or unexpected repair findings to the Service Manager.
• Coordinate with Parts on part identification, ordering, and returns.
• Training & Skill Development: Continuously develop technical and diagnostic skills on Cal-Line equipment lines.
• Participate in Owen Companies and manufacturer factory training, including Bandit and CMC product and service training.
• Safety, Organization & Policy Compliance: Follow lockout/tagout and safe handling procedures when working on cutting systems, stored hydraulic and mechanical energy, and elevated components.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area and shop yard.
• Follow company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Properly use personal protective equipment, tools, and safe work practices at all times.
• Contribute to a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Problem-solving

Organizational

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or vocational training in diesel/heavy equipment/small engine repair preferred

Tools

Diagnostic tools

Bandit/CMC service tooling

Job description

Salary: $30.00 - $40.00 an hour depending on experienceBenefits: Full Benefits Package including Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, and 100% company paid Life and LTD. We have PTO that accrues weekly, seven paid holidays (eligible after 30 days from start), and 401(k) with company match.Visit our website www.owenequipment.com for an overview of our companyPOSITION SUMMARYThe Shop Service Technician diagnoses, repairs, reconditions, and maintains tree care and forestry equipment in the shop, completing all work safely, accurately, and to Cal-Line and manufacturer standards. This role performs hands-on mechanical, engine, hydraulic, and electrical work on chippers, stump grinders, grinders, tracked aerial lifts, and related equipment under the direction of the Service Manager. The technician owns the quality and timeliness of assigned repairs, documents labor and parts accurately on work orders, performs required inspections and function tests, and confirms equipment is safe and ready before it returns to the customer. Because downtime directly costs our customers work, this position works closely with the Service Manager, fellow technicians, Parts, and Sales to turn equipment around quickly and get it right the first time.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESEquipment Diagnostics, Repair & MaintenanceDiagnose and repair hand-fed chippers (drum and disc), whole tree chippers, stump grinders, horizontal grinders, tracked aerial lifts, remote-operated mowers, and chip truck bodies.Service gas and diesel engines, including fuel, cooling, and Tier 4 emissions/aftertreatment systems, as well as hydraulic systems, electrical and electronic controls, clutches, belts, drives, bearings, and track undercarriages.Perform cutting-system service: chipper knife and anvil replacement and adjustment, stump grinder tooth and pocket replacement, and drum, disc, and cutter-wheel inspection.Perform new equipment pre-delivery inspection (PDI), setup, and delivery preparation, and prepare demo units for customer demonstrations.Perform aerial lift inspections, repairs, and testing in accordance with manufacturer requirements and applicable ANSI A92 standards.Complete assigned repairs in the priority order set by the Service Manager, based on customer needs, workload, and parts availability.Manage assigned workload to maintain productivity, repair quality, and timely work order completion, and communicate delays or additional repair needs to the Service Manager.Perform quality work the first time to reduce rework, control costs, and support overall shop efficiency.Verify the function of all safety systems before release, including chipper feed-control and emergency stop systems, stump grinder guards and controls, and aerial lift interlocks, alarms, and emergency lowering.Run and test repaired equipment under operating conditions to confirm the repair and identify any remaining issues.Confirm that required repairs, inspections, and testing are complete before submitting equipment to the Service Manager for release.Work Order DocumentationComplete work orders accurately and thoroughly, documenting parts, labor, materials, repair notes, hour-meter readings, and serial numbers.Document repairs to meet Cal-Line, manufacturer (including Bandit and CMC), customer, billing, and warranty requirements, including photos and failed-part retention when required.Communication & TeamworkRepresent Cal-Line professionally in any customer or vendor interactions, including walking customers through completed repairs when requested.Communicate repair status, findings, and additional repair needs clearly to the Service Manager.Escalate equipment issues, warranty concerns, recurring failures, or unexpected repair findings to the Service Manager.Coordinate with Parts on part identification, ordering, and returns.Training & Skill DevelopmentContinuously develop technical and diagnostic skills on Cal-Line equipment lines.Participate in Owen Companies and manufacturer factory training, including Bandit and CMC product and service training.Safety, Organization & Policy ComplianceFollow lockout/tagout and safe handling procedures when working on cutting systems, stored hydraulic and mechanical energy, and elevated components.Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area and shop yard.Follow company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.Properly use personal protective equipment, tools, and safe work practices at all times.Contribute to a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.QUALIFICATIONSHigh school diploma or equivalent required; technical or vocational training in diesel, heavy equipment, or small engine repair preferred.Two to five years of equipment service, repair, or maintenance experience; experience with tree care, forestry, landscape, or aerial lift equipment preferred.Working knowledge of gas and diesel engines and mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems, including reading schematics and using diagnostic tools.Manufacturer certifications (Bandit, CMC, or similar), ASE, or aerial lift (MEWP) certifications preferred.Strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with a commitment to repair quality, productivity, and fast equipment turnaround.Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record required; Class B CDL a plus for road testing chip trucks.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENTWork performed in a shop and equipment yard with exposure to noise, wood dust, sharp cutting components, heavy equipment, and varying weather conditions.Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb onto equipment, and perform physical repair work for extended periods.Ability to lift up to 50 lbs as required.TRAVEL AND SCHEDULE EXPECTATIONSOccasional travel may be required for factory training, other Cal-Line branches, or field service support.Standard Monday–Friday schedule, with flexibility required during peak seasons such as storm response and fire-season vegetation work.Occasional extended hours or weekend work may be required.