City Mechanic

Keep our City Moving!

We are growing our fleet Mechanic team.

The City of Des Moines is looking for a skilled Journey-Level Fleet Mechanic to keep our city running strong. From heavy-duty trucks and graders to small equipment and power tools, you'll tackle a wide variety of hands-on work that directly serves our community. If you have 3 years of diversified fleet experience and either have a Class A CDL or motivated to get one, we want you on our team.

Closing Date

Initial Screening date of May 04, 2026. Open until filled.

Salary: $6,697 - $8,139 DOE

To Apply

Complete the online application at https://desmoineswa.applicantpro.com/jobs/and attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements.

Nature of Work

Under the general supervision of the Maintenance Superintendent, this position performs skilled work in the installation, maintenance, and repair related to the upkeep of the City's fleet including all vehicles, equipment and small tools.

The work is characterized by a substantial volume of skilled tasks in the maintenance and repair of all City motorized equipment including specialized machines. Duties require proficiency in operating computers, electronic testing equipment, and hand and power tools.

Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with specific instructions and defined procedures and schedules. This position plans and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with instructions, policies, procedures and/or accepted practices. Work is evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to practice and policy.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs journey level maintenance and mechanical repair of automobiles, light and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, graders, mowers, and all other types of City power driven equipment in accordance with standard maintenance procedures.
• Operates both light and heavy equipment during pick up, delivery, and road testing of equipment.
• Analyzes shop operations, make recommendations to management and implement shop productivity improvement programs.
• Assist in the selection of fleet vehicles and equipment to be purchased.
• Manage and maintain the repair shop to the proper safety standards.
• Picks up and delivers parts and vehicles when required.
• Inspects vehicle/equipment for repair, diagnoses problems, and specifies repair and parts required. Makes recommendations for any substantial repairs as needed.
• Performs job site repairs on equipment and vehicles as needed.
• Inspects driver's report of equipment malfunctions or deficiencies and determine necessary repairs, which are made in accordance with the latest standards and techniques.
• Tests and inspects completed work in order to ensure proper performance.
• Maintains records and complete repair reports. Records accurate readings from fuel pumps. Completes all reports and paperwork on a timely basis.
• Participates in the Public Works safety program.
• Organizes, assigns and directs work for assistant mechanic.
• Performs repair and maintenance such as tune-ups and filter changes on automobiles, light and heavy trucks, tractors, graders, mowers, and all other types of equipment in accordance with established procedures. Replaces hoses and belts.
• Replaces batteries and does electrical component installation. Replaces light bulbs and does wire repair work.
• Cleans and maintains City vehicles.
• Performs safety checks.
• Welds and fabricates parts as needed.
• Performs lubrication and oil changes as required.
• Repairs, changes, and balances tires as required.
• Performs cleaning and maintenance of repair shop by cleaning tools, equipment, floors, and work benches.
• Assists the Public Works Maintenance Department when needed or in emergency related situations.
• Consults with vendors and sales persons as required.
• Manages supply and outside repair budgets.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with coworkers, other City employees, vendors, and the general public using principles of good customer service.
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.
  
  

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Standard practices and techniques for maintenance and repair of a large centralized fleet of automobiles, light and heavy trucks including all types of grounds maintenance and construction equipment;
• Principles of gasoline and diesel engines;
• Hydraulic and electrical systems;
• Practices, methods, and tools used in acetylene and arc welding;
• New technology and service requirements;
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of a fleet repair facility;
• Engine and general repair work;
• Safety requirements and specifications of various types of vehicles and equipment;
• Methods, tools, equipment, and materials used in fleet maintenance and repair;
• Use hand and machine tools, including but not limited to, electronic testing equipment;
• Analyze, diagnose, and repair mechanical problems;
• Ability to troubleshoot, do research, and determine proper and correct methods to complete maintenance repair objectives.
• Knowledge of parts, materials, supplies, tools, and equipment required in the operation of an equipment repair shop;
• Ability to operate automotive equipment;
• Locate and correct mechanical defects using the proper tools, parts, or equipment for specific repair problems;
• Use initiative and resourcefulness in handling repair problems;
• Acquire knowledge of the operating details, procedures, specialized equipment and other characteristics of specified assignment;
• Understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions;
• Ability to prioritize and perform skilled tasks with little or no supervision;
• Ability to acquire knowledge and skill of the manual tasks and other characteristics involved in work assignments;
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to execute oral, written, and diagrammatic instructions;
• Interpersonal communication and relation skills using tact, patience, and courtesy;
• Personal computers and their basic use; ability to work with maintenance management systems database Excel Word Outlook
• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary;
• Ability to make arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages;
• Ability to write legibly, maintain records, and complete reports;
  
  

Education And Experience Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Three years of experience as a journey level mechanic with knowledge and experience with a diversified fleet of heavy gasoline and diesel equipment and vehicles and the use of testing and service repair equipment utilized in mechanical, equipment, and automotive repair work.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Must have Possession of a Class "A" commercial driver's license (CDL) or a CDL Learner's Permit upon hire. (employees hired with a CDL Learner's Permit must obtain the full CDL with required endorsements within six months of hire date).
• Possession of a valid traffic flagging and ability to maintain throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid First Aid/CPR Card within three months of hire date and maintain throughout employment.
• Pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing is required for this position.
• Must pass a thorough background and criminal history check.
• Possession of, and the ability to maintain throughout employment, a satisfactory driving record.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.
  
  

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

• Shop work is accomplished indoors in a shop/garage environment repairing vehicles and equipment and occasionally in an office environment to complete necessary repair and maintenance logs and other paperwork. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to very loud. Employee may be called out after normal hours for emergency work.
• Must be able to perform work in an outdoor environment and in all weather conditions. Ability to perform frequent lifting, stooping, reaching, and handling; sit, stand, and/or kneel for extended time periods is necessary. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and more than 100 pounds with assistance.
  
  

General Information

• The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job classification, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to balance the workload.
• The physical abilities described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The provisions of this job description do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
• The City of Des Moines is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
  
  

Job Posted by ApplicantPro