LEAD MECHANIC

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under direction, leads, oversees, and participates in the more complex and difficult work of staff responsible for performing a variety of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled technical diagnostic, repair and maintenance work on a variety of automotive, truck, tractors and other light and heavy power-driven equipment; ensures adherence to safe working practices and procedures; provides training to lower level personnel; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Mechanic series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including providing lead supervision to assigned staff, performing the more technical work of the unit, and providing administrative support to the assigned unit. Lead Mechanics differ from the Equipment Mechanic I/II by having greater responsibility, autonomy, and discretion in planning and completing a wide variety of activities. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to area of responsibility.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Leads, plans, trains, and reviews the work of staff responsible for performing a variety of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled technical diagnostic, repair and maintenance work on a variety of automotive, truck, tractors and other light and heavy power-driven equipment; participates in performing the most complex work of the unit including the more complex maintenance assignments as well as administrative support duties.
• Trains assigned employees in maintenance and repair methods, procedures, and techniques; leads, assigns and inspects the work of subordinates and participates in all associated work; verifies work performed for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications; ensures adherence to safe work practices and procedures; assists in the evaluation of employees.
• Operates and maintains a complete set of hand, power, and shop tools and computerized diagnostic and test equipment used in the automotive and truck repair trade.
• Performs general maintenance on cars, trucks and other equipment, and other standard vehicle maintenance duties.
• Prescribes procedures, methods and materials to staff on complex projects as assigned.
• Coordinates equipment maintenance activities with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies.
• Inspects, diagnoses and locates technical and electrical malfunctions on City automobiles, trucks, fire apparatus, water utility pumps, grounds maintenance equipment, and a variety of maintenance and construction equipment and their component systems.
• Determines the extent of necessary repairs, scheduling of repairs, and associated cost and material estimates.
• Recommends contract work as necessary; locates and recommends vendors.
• Requisitions or orders replacement parts and supplies.
• May assist in budget preparation by recommending equipment expenditures and Fleet Services Division capital outlay.
• Reads and interprets schematics, shop manuals, and other related materials in performing work assignments and to stay abreast of the current technology.
• Accesses technical information from automated databases; enters data into and retrieves, prints and generates vehicle, equipment, and work order reports from computer information system.
• Maintains work, time, material and equipment maintenance logs and records.
• Responds to emergency service calls for repairing or towing equipment that has broken down away from the shop.
• May serve as acting supervisor, as assigned.
• Performs vacation and temporary relief as necessary.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Practices, techniques, materials, tools and equipment used in the diagnosis, repair, preventative maintenance, and modification of a wide variety of technical equipment, including automobiles, trucks, heavy equipment, specialized vehicles, i.e., fire apparatus and their component systems.
• Procedures used in the repair and maintenance of gas and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
• Regulations, standards and guidelines pertaining to the work, including state and federal inspection guidelines.
• Types and use of special tools and electronic test equipment common to the automotive repair trade.
• Current technology in repairing and diagnosing vehicles, equipment and their component systems.
• Principles of lead supervision, training and evaluation.
• Safe work practices, including handling of hazardous materials.
• Basic office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software applications.
• Principals and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Lead, train and evaluate subordinate staff.
• Perform advanced journey level equipment technician work on a wide range of vehicles and equipment.
• Perform minor and major technical repairs and adjustments within the time frames as established by flat rate manuals.
• Inspect and correctly diagnose standard malfunctions in gas and diesel-powered equipment.
• Read and interpret manuals, schematics, plans and specifications related to duties.
• Estimate time and cost of repairs and cost of equipment to within 10 percent of the actual costs.
• Perform preventative maintenance and replacement functions.
• Use with skill the tools and test equipment associated with the automotive and heavy equipment trade.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of shop timekeeping and repair records.
• Maintain computerized records.
• Perform safe operation and maintenance of a wide variety of hand, power and shop tools and equipment common to the field of automotive and mechanical equipment maintenance and repair.
• Observe safe working practices.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work and shop area.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions.
• Learn and apply new information or new skills.
• Work in a team environment.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. Completion of specialized training in the maintenance and repair of gasoline and diesel-powered light and heavy equipment.

Experience: Four years of related journey-level mechanic experience.

License, Certificate or Other Requirements - Incumbents must possess a valid Class "C" California driver's license at time of application. A valid California Class "B" Driver's License is required within six months of employment.

Master-Level ASE Mechanic Certification is required. A State of California Adjustment License is highly desirable.

As regulations change, incumbents are expected to obtain the State-mandated certifications required in order to work on certain vehicles, equipment, or in handling materials. These certifications will be designated and specified at the time of hire or as the requirements become necessary to perform the duties of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Primarily indoor work inside fleet repair shop; occasional outdoor work to repair and test drive vehicles; occasional exposure to heat and humidity around exhaust, cooling systems and welding; continuous exposure to exhaust, moving mechanical parts and chemicals such as gasoline, coolant, battery acid, etc.; frequent exposure to vibration from tools, equipment and vehicles; position may occasionally require work at heights above the ground; occasional exposure to electrical shock and hazardous materials such as explosives.

Physical: Incumbents in this class must be in good physical condition and able to exert physical strength for prolonged periods of time. Due to the physical nature of this position, the majority of tasks performed by incumbents involve a combination of two or more simultaneous physical operations requiring but not limited to the following:

CONTINUOUS: standing, walking, stooping, reaching, handling, fingering; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of equipment and tools weighing up to 10 lbs.

FREQUENT: kneeling, crouching; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of equipment and tools weighing up to 25 lbs.

OCCASIONAL: sitting, climbing, balancing; lifting equipment and tools weighing up to 100 lbs. with assistance; carrying equipment and tools weighing up to 75 lbs.; pushing and pulling equipment and tools over 100 lbs. with assistance.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to see work orders, service requests, equipment dials and gauges; inspect and operate vehicles and equipment; perform fine detailed and color coded work..

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction; ability to monitor sounds of equipment and vehicles for diagnosis; hear back-up alarms on tucks and other equipment; to hear telephone, radio transmissions and calls for assistance from others.

Speaking: Communicate in English with coworkers.

Date: July 2007
Revised by MH/Department

Date: January 2000