Highway Mechanic

POSITION DESCRIPTION COUNTY OF STEUBEN, INDIANA

POSITION:                           Mechanic

DEPARTMENT:                  Highway

WORK SCHEDULE:          7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., M-F

JOB CATEGORY:              LTC (Labor, Trades and Crafts)

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in the document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The County of Steuben provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless those accommodations would present undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Mechanic for the Steuben County Highway Department, responsible for maintenance and repair of Department equipment and vehicles used for maintaining County roads and rights-of-way.

 DUTIES:

 Schedules and performs adjustments, preventive maintenance and repairs on Department equipment, tools and vehicles according to warranties, mileage and use, such as oil and filter changes, tune-ups and brake jobs and maintains detailed records of maintenance and repair activity, including work description, parts and cost.

 Analyzes equipment and vehicle malfunction, including observing, listening and identifying problem source and solution.

 Removes and rebuilds/repairs various parts as needed, including engines, transmissions, rear ends, brakes, lights and hydraulics.

 Performs various mechanical trades in repairing and fabricating parts, including welding, brazing, torch cutting, wiring and machining.

 Designs, fabricates and installs added features on new vehicles and equipment as needed, such as hitches, plow frames and underbody mounting.

 Operates a variety of tools, equipment and vehicles in performance of duties, such as wrenches, screw drivers, hammers, air compressor, paint gun, grinder, welding equipment, cutting torch, engine hoist, drill press, hydraulic jack, tap and die sets, tractors, graders, Gradeall, paving machine, loader, and back hoe.

 Orders parts for maintenance and repair, and orders fuel and fluids for Department equipment and vehicles, including diesel fuel, motor and hydraulic oils, transmission and power steering oils, gasoline and anti-freeze.

 Delivers fuel to job sites for vehicles and equipment.

 Ensures completion of claims and compliance with approved budget.

 Maintains clean and orderly work areas, including sweeping, removing trash and debris and returning tools to proper storage locations.

 Maintains current knowledge of Department equipment by reading related publications and technical manuals. 

 Physically performs assigned duties, involving standing/walking for long periods, working in cramped, uncomfortable position for long periods, driving, close vision, hearing mechanical sounds, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, crouching/kneeling, reaching, bending, and handling/grasping and fingering objects.

 Performs related duties as assigned.

            I.  SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

 High school diploma or HSE and three (3) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and diesel engine experience preferred.

 Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, such as Certification of Completion of Auto/Diesel Mechanic.

 Thorough knowledge of and ability to perform various mechanical trades, including welding, torch cutting, brazing, wiring, hydraulic, fabrication and machining.

 Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures.

Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Ability to properly operate a variety of tools, equipment and vehicles, such as wrenches, screw drivers, hammers, air compressor, paint gun, grinder, welding equipment, cutting torch, engine hoist, drill press, hydraulic jack, tap and die sets, tractors, graders, Gradeall, paving machine, loader, and backhoe.

Ability to physically and safely perform assigned duties, which may involve standing/walking and being in cramped, uncomfortable positions for long periods, driving, close vision, hearing mechanical sounds, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, crouching, reaching, bending, handling/grasping and fingering objects.

 Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers and parts vendors, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

 Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to State requirements.

 Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free work place and personal conduct.

 Ability to layout assigned work projects, work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, often under time pressure.

 Ability to read and interpret detailed prints, sketches, specifications, technical manuals, instruments, gauges and dials.

 Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions, and present findings in oral or written form.

 Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, occasionally work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town, but not overnight.

 Ability to regularly serve on 24-hour call and respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergency situations.

 Possession of valid driver’s license with CDL Class B, Class A preferred and with demonstrated safe driving record.

 II.  RESPONSIBILITY:

 Incumbent performs duties according to a daily work schedule with work priorities determined by Superintendent.  Incumbent refers to supervisor unusual or unprecedented situations, such as equipment that will be inoperable for a period of time and repair costs that may be excessive.  Incumbent’s work is reviewed through random checks.  Errors in work are usually prevented through standard safety procedures and procedural safeguards and are detected through notification from Department employees.  Undetected errors may result in damaged and/or unsafe equipment and endangered and/or loss of life to self and co-workers.

 Incumbent reports directly to Superintendent.

 III.  PHYSICAL EFFORT:

 Incumbent's duties involve continuous physical exertion, such as standing/walking and being in cramped, uncomfortable positions for long periods, driving, close vision, hearing mechanical sounds, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, crouching, reaching, bending, handling/grasping and fingering objects.

 IV.  WORK CONDITIONS:

 Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a garage and periodically in the field and is frequently exposed to heavy equipment, moving parts, noise, dust, grease, fumes, fuels and cleaning chemicals normally associated with auto maintenance and repair. Incumbent periodically performs duties outdoors and is exposed to extreme temperatures, inclement weather and traffic. In responding to emergency situations, incumbent may be exposed to such hazards as downed power lines and/or fallen trees. Safety precautions must be followed at all times to avoid injury to self and others.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travel out of town, but not overnight. Incumbent is occasionally required to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.