Tractor Mechanic

Cook County Government; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for PSLF

Job summary

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is seeking a Tractor Mechanic to maintain and repair tractor engines and related equipment across light to heavy machinery. You will diagnose issues, perform overhauls, replace components, and operate CMMS to prepare work orders and logs.

Requirements include an associate degree or higher in agricultural or diesel mechanics, a valid Class B CDL, or a high school diploma with relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in agricultural or diesel mechanics, or equivalent.
• CDL Class B license required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years mechanical work on heavy equipment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair tractor engines and related systems on diverse equipment.
• Perform diagnostic tests, overhaul engines, transmissions, brakes, and hydraulics.
• Order parts, prepare work orders, and log work in CMMS.
• Prepare and maintain vehicle folders with service history and repairs.
• Ensure safety and compliance with district policies during maintenance.

Skills

Diesel engine maintenance

Tractor diagnosis

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Technical documentation

Education

Associate degree or higher in agricultural mechanics or diesel mechanics

High School Diploma or GED

CDL Class B license

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Job Description - Tractor Mechanic (00139650)

Job Description

Tractor Mechanic

Requisition ID

00139650

Work Locations

2199 S. 1st Avenue

Job Posting

Oct 5, 2026, 1:55:20 PM

Closing Date

Oct 26, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Posting Salary : $89,841.74 / Annually

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under general direction of the supervisory staff of the Fleet Maintenance Department, maintains various types of tractor engines used on various types of light, medium, and heavy‑duty tractors and landscape equipment such as tractors, pumps, tilling equipment, trucks, and other mechanized equipment. Provides diagnostic tests on equipment by operating said equipment to identify problems performing repairs. Overhauls and repairs gas and diesel engines, automatic and standard transmissions, clutch and air brake systems, alternator and starter systems, hydraulic systems, differentials, pumps, electrical systems, steering systems and other major components of tractors or replacements. Orders supplies, parts, and tools needed to make the repairs, adjustments, or replacements. Prepare work orders and logs completed work in individual vehicle folders.

Typical Duties

• Prepares diagnostic tests by operating said equipment to verify problems to verify
• Problems needing repairs, locates the problem and advises or reports on the status of the problem as to the urgency of providing repair service
• Overhauls and repairs engines, automatic, standard transmissions, clutch, air brake systems, alternator and starter systems, hydraulic systems, differentials, pumps, electrical systems, steering systems, and other major components of tractors and like equipment.
• Tunes up tractor engines, takes compression tests, repairs standard, electronic, and computerized ignition systems and adjusts timing valves; repairs or replaces gasoline tanks, fuel lines and connections, and automatic or manual chokes.
• Removes engines from tractor or like equipment, disassembles engines (gas, diesel and other alternative fuel), builds and reassembles and installs in same tractor.
• Prepares parts requisitions, work time, and material records on a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess an associate’s degree or higher in agricultural mechanics, diesel mechanics, or substantially similar area.
• Must possess a current, valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License.
• OR
• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must possess a minimum of three (3) years of mechanical work experience on heavy equipment.
• Must possess a current, valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possesses at least three (3) years of full‑time professional experience in maintaining agricultural equipment.
• OR
• Possesses journeyman status in heavy equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of techniques and methods of overhauling and repairing tractors, pumps, tilling equipment, trucks, and other mechanized equipment and related components including engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, differentials, air conditioning, and emission control systems.
• Knowledge of theory, care, and operation of gasoline, diesel and other alternative fuel powered engines and electrical and mechanical components for the maintenance and repair of tractors and related equipment.
• Working background and knowledge of Cat, Ford, New Holland, Kubota, John Deere, and Case tractors and equipment.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment of trade and their use in tractor maintenance and repairs.
• Ability to perform maintenance on District tractors and equipment.
• Ability to diagnose engine trouble and ready solution.
• Ability to furnish all tools required to satisfactorily perform the required duties.
• Knowledge of repair and maintenance practices and regulations.
• Ability to conduct a full range of maintenance operations on a variety of equipment and vehicles.
• Knowledge in the operations of the District.
• Skill in communicating with professionalism to diverse groups.
• Knowledge of District disciplinary policies and procedures and the ability to enforce when necessary.
• Ability to handle multiple projects at one time and recognize order of urgency.
• Skill and ability in planning, inspecting and troubleshooting work assignments and projects.
• Ability to prepare written reports and maintain division files and records.
• Ability to perform physical and mechanical duties including, but not limited to, climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving moderate to heavy weight of approximately fifty (50) pounds.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering "Yes" to the question "Are you a military veteran?"

Attach a copy of his/her DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT

TIME OF INTERVIEW.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is anequal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, nationalorigin,ancestry,sexualorientation,maritalstatus,parentalstatus,militarydischarge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.

If you have an issue completing your application, please call Technical Support at 708-771-1561