Journey-Level Mechanic

Please note this position is also currently posted for internal candidates. Internal candidates will be considered first.

This position is responsible for performing journey-level semi-skilled, skilled, specialized and administrative work in maintaining the vehicle fleet and mechanical equipment of the Fire District.  

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Maintain, repair and renew a variety of fire equipment and vehicles, including, but not limited to: fire engines, special operations vehicles, aerial trucks, medic units, cars, pickups, SUV’s, utility trailers, building and vehicle mounted generators, pumps, etc. 

Repair work including, but not limited to: tires, steering, suspension/chassis, brakes, engine (all fuels), power transmission, aerial equipment, fire pumps, electrical systems, computer, communications equipment (portable/mobile radios, headsets, intercoms). 

Performs testing of repair work, component functionality, as well as, manufacturer’s and NFPA’s required testing to include: fire pumps, ground ladders, aerial devices, extrication equipment and engine emissions.

Inspects assigned equipment, diagnoses electrical, mechanical and hydraulic problems and determines the extent of repairs.

Performs safety inspections of vehicles and equipment; identifies safety hazards and makes necessary repairs and adjustments to ensure safe operations of vehicles and equipment.

Responds to emergency calls for assistance; travels to sites as necessary to assist others and transport vehicles and equipment.   

Maintains, troubleshoots and repairs air, brakes, electrical and hydraulic systems; maintains and repairs components in the fire pump system.

Tunes and adjusts a variety of diesel and gas engine, transmissions, pumps, valves and drive trains of assigned equipment.

Designs and fabricates parts and tools; performs gas and electric welding, painting and body work to repair, replace or rebuild needed parts and equipment.

Installs equipment necessary to prepare new vehicles to go into service and facilitate needed equipment changes or additions.

Operates and maintains a variety of tools (small and large, manual and powered) and diagnostic/testing equipment.  Performs preventative maintenance duties from lubrication to through inspection with detailed recording.

Maintains work area for cleanliness and safety.

Researches, locates and orders needed parts and supplies.

Maintains records of time, materials, parts and work performed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Required

• High School diploma or GED; and 
• Five (5) or more years of journey-level work as a mechanic including one or a combination of; 
  1. Automotive
  2. Commercial (medium to heavy) truck
  3. Heavy equipment

Desired

• Completion of a two-year college or trade school education in the mechanic trades
• Experience:
  1. as a fire equipment mechanic

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

Required

• Valid Washington State driver’s license in good standing 
• Valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License within two (2) years of hire and maintenance thereafter
• Personal assortment of hand tools pertinent to the position

Preferred

• ASE Certifications
  1. Automobile and Light Truck: A1 through A8
  2. Medium/Heavy Truck: T2 through T7
• EVT Certifications
  1. Fire Apparatus Technician: Level 1, 2 and 3
  2. Ambulance Technician:  Level 1, 2 and 3

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• basic job related principles; friction, leverage, force, heat transfer, brake systems, the reciprocating engine, transmission of power and its changing of speed and direction, analog and digital current electricity, hydraulics, and pneumatics
• concepts of preventative maintenance and its relationship to repair 

Skilled in:

• repairing machines or systems using the needed tools
• determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it
• controlling operations of equipment or systems
• watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly
• using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed
• conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance
• determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
• considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• talking to others to convey information effectively
• identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• adjusting actions in relation to others' actions 
• monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
• managing one's own time and the time of others
• basic computer skills including email, word processing and data entry
• cutting, shaping and assembling of a variety of materials
• basic gas and electrical welding

Ability to:

• identify and understand physical, visual and audible hazards relation to your vocation to avoid harm to yourself, others and the environment
• understand and employ common safety standards and practices
• use a large variety of hand, measuring and power tools driven pneumatically, electrically and hydraulically
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, vendors and the public
• work well with others as part of a team with the common goals of excellence in safety, customer service and task completion
• work with minimal supervision
• to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense (deductive reasoning)
• combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
• imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged

          Tools & Equipment Used 

• motorized vehicles for mechanical testing purposes
• power and hand tools and equipment for vehicle and mechanical system work
• mechanic’s tools including jacks, hydraulic lifts, air tools and other tools required for minor repairs and routine maintenance of motorized vehicles
• electronic vehicle diagnostic equipment
• personal computer
• calculator
• mobile phone
• portable radio

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts or in outside weather conditions.  Employees perform duties in a variety of temperatures and environmental conditions including precipitation.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals.  The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here 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 functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is frequently required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crawl and/or crouch.

The employee is frequently required to walk, sit and talk or hear.  The employee must frequently list, carry and position up to 25 pounds, and occasionally so the same with up to 100 pounds.  

Vision must be adequate enough as to not pose a safety threat to oneself or others, including the ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness; the ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object; and the ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Salary : $87,708 - $106,128