Mechanic

• Job Title**: County Mechanic / Heavy Equipment Operator
• Department**: Road & Bridge
• Location**: Bent County
• Reports To**: Road & Bridge Foreman
• FLSA Status**: Non-Exempt
  
  

Position Summary

The **County Mechanic** is responsible for performing skilled mechanical work in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of vehicles and equipment for the county's fleet. This position requires a high level of technical knowledge and expertise in diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing various types of machinery and vehicles, including trucks, tractors, road equipment, and other heavy-duty machinery used in public works.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance and emergency repairs on a wide range of county vehicles and equipment, including cars, trucks, heavy equipment, lawn mowers, and specialized machinery.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic system issues using diagnostic tools and equipment.
• Conduct preventive maintenance inspections, including oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, fluid checks, and other routine service tasks.
• Repair or replace defective parts, components, and systems (e.g., engines, transmissions, and cooling systems).
• Collaborate with the department managers to ensure that equipment and vehicles are operational and meet county safety standards.
• Respond to on-site mechanical breakdowns or emergencies, ensuring quick and effective repairs to minimize downtime.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, following all safety procedures and guidelines.
• Assist in the ordering and inventory management of parts and tools.
• Keep up to date with the latest industry standards, repair techniques, and equipment technologies.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Proven experience (typically 2 years) in vehicle or heavy equipment maintenance and repair.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and engines.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and diagrams.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Valid driver's license
• Good communication skills and ability to work with other county departments or employees.
• ** CDL will not be required for Mechanic
  
  

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Ability to lift and move heavy objects (up to 100 lbs.) and work in physically demanding conditions.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions and potentially hazardous environments, including exposure to noise, fumes, and machinery.
• May require working evenings, weekends, or overtime during emergencies or peak times.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience working with diesel engines and heavy-duty equipment.
• Knowledge of computerized diagnostic tools and equipment.
  
  

Additional Information

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with opportunities for overtime pay. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the county's benefits package, including health insurance, retirement, and paid time off.

Job Description

In the event employee does not have mechanical work to perform, they will assist in the everyday duties of the Bent County Road & bridge department. Job description follows:

**ROAD AND BRIDGE HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR**

** **

• REPORTS TO:** Road & Bridge Foreman
  
  

Essential Job Functions

(Note: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)

Operates a distributor applying oils, asphalts, or tars to highway surface. Operates roller in patching county roads. Loads distributor from supply tank. Picks up, spots, and places m terials where indicated by supervisor. Operates grader and maintains specified rough grades, front-end loaders, compactors, tractor-trailers, backhoes, street sweeper in cleaning of roads and bridges. Performs daily inspections of working conditions of assigned equipment prior to and after use. Performs routine service and maintenance of equipment. Occasionally operate a flatbed or dump truck, or a variety of minor power machinery and equipment. Operates heavy equipment such as compactors. Plan, direct and control the work of people who do not report directly to you, but who provide support to the goals and objectives of your organization. Operates vehicle to deliver materials to and from specific destinations. Meet with citizens, develop, and promote county programs. Repair, maintain and inspect truck equipment and supplies, such as tires, lights, brakes, gas oil, and water. Rework shoulders for drainage and traffic safety, to include preparing the area, installing culverts: and recompacting earth back to the original state. Level earth to find grade specifications using a pick and shovel. Measure distances from grade stakes, drive stakes, and stretches tight line. Clean existing ditches to grade and create new ditching for drainage purposes by using hydraulic excavators, etc. Attend safety meets and/or participate in safety inspections. Load and unload trucks. Implementation of design drainage plans and on-site plan design, which includes material removal, placement, or new stabilizing material and compaction. Final grading of material to a designed elevation.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**:
  
  

Knowledge of the operating characteristics of medium and heavy public works equipment. Knowledge of the component parts and maintenance needs of heavy equipment. Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions in the

operation of medium and heavy equipment. Knowledge of traffic laws and other regulations governing the operation of equipment. Skilled in the operation of moderately complex construction and transportation equipment. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Required to operate heavy automotive and public works equipment in which manipulative skills and hand-eye coordination are important ingredients of safe operation.

**Minimum Qualifications**

:

High school diploma or GED (this qualification may be waived where life experience far

exceeds the need for a high school education.) Prefer to have two (2) years of experience in

the operation of moderately heavy construction and automotive equipment.

CDL preferred

**Physical Demand Requirements**

:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently moving mechanical parts in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Compensation: $21.00 - $30.00 / Hr.

Bent County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, reli