Light Equipment Mechanic

Salary : $4,485.00 – $6,311.00 Monthly

Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number: 24-015

Department: Parks & Recreation

Opening Date: 08/10/2023

Closing Date: 9/14/2023 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
NOTE: As of 08/31/2023 the deadline to apply for this position has been updated to close at 5 pm on 09/14/2023.

The current opening is for a Light Equipment Mechanic in the Community Parks Division of the Parks and Recreation Department. This is a full-time position with benefits working 40 hours a week. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Light Equipment Mechanic vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Chief People Officer.

Under general supervision, the Light Equipment Mechanic performs major mechanical repair and overhaul on gasoline, electric and diesel-powered light vehicles and equipment and performs other work as needed.

Recruitment #24-015

Selection Timeline: (The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Chief People Officer.)

• On Thursday, 08/31/23 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm. To apply, submit:
  1. Application – online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions – will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application to receive credit.
• Weeks of 09/04 and 09/11/23 – Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Once all applications have been reviewed applicants will be notified of their status in the recruitment.
• Week of 09/25 and/or 10/02/23: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled. The examination process may include written exam and/or performance exam.

Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to the following)

• Diagnose problems and repair a variety of light equipment such as tractors, large and small mowers, and similar vehicles including hydraulic/electrical system repairs and maintenance.
• Fabricate special vehicle structures as needed by welding, machining, and joining material.
• Overhaul and/or rebuild gasoline, diesel and electrically powered engines, transmissions, ignition systems, steering systems and related.
• Maintain a variety of records relative to work progress and completion.
• Prepare reports and recommendations to supervisors relative to findings regarding pieces of equipment.
• Request ordering of parts and supplies necessary to the completion of work assignments.
• Participate in the department preventative maintenance program on vehicles and equipment.
• Make minor vehicle body repairs and paint as necessary.
• May road test various vehicle and equipment after work is completed and prior to return to user to insure that all work has been properly done.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of other personnel as required.
• May be required to operate a variety of heavy and light equipment.
• Responsible for the lead of assigned personnel as required.
• Perform rotary- and reel-type mower blade sharpening, repair, and adjustment.
• Performs welding to adapt or fabricate parts and equipment.
• Makes emergency repairs as needed.
• Safely and effectively operate a variety of diagnostic equipment and power and hand tools used in heavy and light equipment repair.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires sitting, walking on level and slippery uneven surfaces, reaching, twisting, kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, climbing, balancing and making repetitive hand and foot movement in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires talking, hearing, and both near and far vision including the ability to distinguish colors and perceive depth. The need for finger dexterity and to grasp, lift, carry, pull and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 65 pounds, or heavier utilizing proper equipment, is also required. The incumbent in this position works indoors and outdoors, may be subjected to vibration and may work in environments with constant noise. The incumbent may work in all weather conditions, including inclement weather. The incumbent may use chemicals such as solvents, lubricants, grease and oils which may expose the employee to fumes, dust, air and skin contaminants; the work may necessitate wearing protective gear such as latex gloves. The incumbent may work with and around pesticides in the course of servicing application equipment. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment and drive motorized vehicles. The incumbent may work around machinery with moving parts or around moving vehicles or objects. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent; and
• Three years mechanic experience repairing and servicing gasoline, diesel or electric powered vehicles and equipment; one year which includes welding and/or fabrication.

Position Specific Assignment-Golf Course:

• Some experience with reel-type mower sharpening and adjustment.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

Knowledge:

• Motor vehicle nomenclature with special emphasis on equipment and all of its systems.
• Fundamental knowledge of mechanical tools, parts and support equipment including their proper identification and application.
• Safe mechanical work practices.
• Methods, materials, practices and tools of equipment repair; methods and techniques of welding;
• Principles of inventory and parts acquisition.
• Methods and techniques for record keeping.
• Basic methods and techniques of welding.

For positions assigned to the Golf Course, all of the above plus:

• Methods, materials and practices related to reel and rotary type mower blade maintenance.

Skills

• Perform repair work on diesel and gasoline engines.
• Perform a variety of welding work.

Abilities:

• Follow written and verbal instructions.
• Safely operate mechanical and servicing equipment.
• Perform journey-level machinist work and operate related equipment.
• Estimate time and materials needed for work.
• Keep records and logs.
• Organize, prioritize and follow-up on work assignments.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to perform on-call duty assignment and call-back work as required.
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays as required.

Career Ladder

• Resource Recovery Supervisor or Garage Service Supervisor
• Lead Equipment Mechanic
• Equipment Mechanic II
• Light Equipment Mechanic
• Equipment Mechanic I

SALARY – This classification belongs to the Service bargaining unit and has a nine-step salary range. All classifications in this bargaining unit add an additional wage Step J on 7/14/18 by MOU agreement. Appointment may be made commensurate with experience. The current salary schedule is posted on the City website. See for salary practices.

UNION REPRESENTATION – This classification belongs to the Service Employees’ bargaining unit. All employees within this unit are represented by the Service Employees’ International Union.

APPOINTMENT – Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted, to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period (unless specified as 12-month by Service Employees MOU) which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

LEAVE

Vacation – 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.

Sick – 12 days/year

Holidays – up to 11 days/year
Floating Holidays – 24 hours per year – prorated for part-time

INSURANCE – (available to employee and eligible dependents)

Medical – Depends on plan selected; City generally pays 95% of the cost of coverage (pro-rated for part-time).
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program – City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage (pro-rated for part-time). Plus an additional $29.50 per pay period.

Life – City provides a $20,000 life insurance policy.

Long Term Disability – City provides a long term disability plan.

RETIREMENT

All new regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 9.75% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Accident Protection Insurance

Bilingual Pay if required by position

Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance

Direct Deposit

Discount Bus Pass Program

Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care

Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)

In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month (if not participating in City offered Medical Plan)

Shift Differential

Supplemental Life Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

The information included in this listing is subject to change and does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Leaves and most Insurance contributions are pro-rated for part-time benefited employees.

01

Your answers to the supplemental questions are required to help determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position and will be utilized to help determine which candidates move forward in the process, so please be thorough with your answers. Any employers described here must be reflected in the work history section of your application to receive credit. Incomplete answers such as “see resume” will disqualify you from this recruitment. Please indicate your understanding that failure to thoroughly respond to the following questions may result in your application being disqualified or rank lower because of incomplete answers or minimal effort.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a high school degree or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

This position requires possession and continued maintenance of a valid California driver’s license.

• Yes, I have a valid California driver’s license.
• I do not have a valid California driver’s license. I understand that I will be required to obtain one prior to appointment as a condition of employment if selected for this position.

04

This position requires three years of mechanic experience repairing and servicing gasoline, diesel, or electric-powered vehicles and equipment. Please describe your mechanic experience thoroughly, including duties performed and duration of experience. All jobs must be able to be verified in the employment history section of your application in order to receive credit.

05

This position requires one year of mechanic experience that includes welding and/or fabrication. Describe your experience with welding and/or fabrication and relate to specific jobs in your employment history.

06

This position requires willingness to perform on-call duty assignment, call-back work, and willingness to work weekends and holidays. I accept these requirements. (A “No” answer will disqualify you for this position.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question