Lead Highway Mechanic

COUNTY OF STEUBEN, INDIANA

POSITION:  Lead 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 this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Steuben County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Lead Mechanic for the Steuben County Highway Department and is responsible for supervising mechanics on maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles used for maintaining County roads and right of way.

DUTIES:

Supervises and directs assigned mechanics, involving planning and delegating work assignments, evaluating job performance, assisting other mechanics as needed, and coordinating safety training.

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, brake jobs and maintaining detailed records of maintenance and repair activities. 

Analyzes and inspects equipment and vehicle malfunctions, including observing, listening, and identifying problem sources and solutions, including maintaining detailed records.  

Removes, rebuilds, and 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 backhoe.

Maintains inventory of supplies, parts, and tools, and orders parts for maintenance. repair, and orders fluids for Department equipment and vehicles, including 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.

Performs duties of Equipment Operator, Truck Driver, Laborer as needed, including performing manual labor and operating heavy equipment and trucks in clearing and repairing roads, distributing sand, salt, asphalt and stone, clearing brush, shoveling and raking materials, and serving on-call.

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

Performs related duties as assigned.

I.  SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGES:

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

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

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

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of Department safety policies and procedures, including OSHA guidelines and safety precautions practices.

Working knowledge of standard road repair and maintenance policies and practices, with ability to complete assigned repair and maintenance duties and apply appropriate procedures accordingly.

Working knowledge of and ability to perform 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, brake jobs and maintaining detailed records of maintenance and repair activities. 

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and to prepare detailed reports as required.

Working knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain accurate and organized files and records.

Ability to perform duties of Equipment Operator, Truck Driver, and Laborer.

Ability to supervise and direct assigned staff, involving planning and delegating work assignments, evaluating job performance, assisting other mechanics as needed, and coordinating safety training.

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 analyze equipment and vehicle malfunctions, including observing, listening, and identifying problem sources and solutions, and removing, rebuilding, and repairing various parts as needed, such as engines, transmissions, rear ends, brakes, lights and hydraulics.

Ability to design, fabricate and install added features on new vehicles and equipment.

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, involving standing/walking for long periods, working in cramped, uncomfortable position for long periods, driving, and 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.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, work on several tasks at the same time, and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure. 

Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, other County personnel and vendors, and the public, 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 workplace, and personal conduct.

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

Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions and plan and layout assigned work projects.

Ability to count and perform arithmetic calculations and use practical shop mathematics.

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

Ability to physically perform all essential duties of the position, including lifting heavy equipment and operating a variety of power tools, equipment and vehicles.

Ability to occasionally work extended, evening and/or weekend hours and occasionally travel out of town, but not overnight. 

Ability to regularly serve on 24-hour call and to respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergencies as needed.

Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements and demonstrated safe driving record.

II.  RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs moderately complex duties with general supervision, working with Superintendent daily to identify and prioritize work projects for assigned equipment.  Incumbent monitors mechanics to ensure proper completion of assigned tasks, and ensures care and safe operation of tools and equipment. Work is reviewed for attainment of objectives, technical accuracy, and appropriate supervision or direction of assigned operations. 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 the Highway Superintendent.

III.  PHYSICAL EFFORT:

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

IV.  WORK CONDITIONS:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a garage, and 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 regularly required to serve on 24-hour call and to respond swiftly, rationally and decisively to emergencies as needed.