County of Nevada, CA
January, 2010
HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, maintains and repairs a wide variety of road maintenance equipment
and tools for the Department of Public Works; and performs related work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first and full working level of the classification. Incumbents in this classification are
expected to perform a wide variety of duties ranging from routine inspections to complex repairs
on heavy equipment, light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles in the repair shop of the Fleet
Services Division. This class is distinguished from Equipment Mechanic II in that this class
focuses on repair and maintenance of heavy equipment.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (Illustrative Only)
Essential:

Inspects, services, diagnoses, repairs, rebuilds, overhauls, fabricates, modifies and
welds heavy equipment such as loaders, graders, backhoes, skip loaders, semi trucks
and trailers, 10 wheel trucks, and bob tail dump trucks

Inspects, services, diagnoses, repairs, rebuilds, overhauls, fabricates, modifies and
welds specialized equipment such as road chip spreading equipment, street sweepers,
snow blowers, pipe flushers, snow plows, brush hogs, brush chippers, portable trailer
and compressors, and road signing and marking equipment

Inspects, services, diagnoses, repairs light duty trucks and passenger vehicles

Inspects, services, diagnoses, repairs, rebuilds, and overhauls gasoline power tools:
chain saws, water transfer pumps, pavement cutters, and pavement materials
compactors
Important:

Reads and interprets blueprints, schematics, and wiring diagrams

Completes paperwork on jobs: diagnostics, parts used, and time

Attends meetings, seminars and training classes
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

Principles and practices pertaining to the maintenance and repair of all types of heavy
duty equipment

Procedures and practices pertaining to the inspection, rebuilding, repairing, replacing,
adjusting of component parts

Factory specifications on steering suspensions, gas and diesel engines, brakes, drive
trains, hydraulics, and other components

Procedures and practices pertaining to welding, cutting, and gas/electric brazing

Operation of hand tools and/or air tools including air drills, ratchets, guns, grinders, and
electric drills
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
Operation of specialty tools including Volt/Ohm Meters, brake lathe, air conditioning
machine, engine diagnostic scope analyzer, micrometers, dial indicators and vehicle
lifting devices
Skill in:




Locating and diagnosing equipment failures and defects
Welding, cutting, and gas and electric brazing
Using precision measuring devices
Using diagnostic instruments, gauges, and test equipment
Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalent supplemented by specialized course
work in automotive or bus or heavy equipment repair and two years of experience in
heavy equipment service and repair. OR graduation from high school and two years'
experience as an Equipment Mechanic II for the County of Nevada.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid California driver's license within 30 days of hire (A Class B license
may be required when duties include road testing specific equipment.)
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
Strength and stamina to lift and carry parts weighing up to 51 pounds, and maneuver
heavier parts and equipment; manual dexterity and arm strength to operate tools and
equipment; mobility to work in tight or confined conditions, prone, awkward positions,
and bend, stoop, kneel and crawl; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by
telephone; vision to read manuals and schematics, and inspect items for repair; color
vision to distinguish color coded parts and/or wiring.
Work in exposure to inclement weather, fluids and fumes associated with the work.
Must be able to work overtime on regular workdays and weekends in emergency
conditions, and on standby, as needed.
Some accommodation may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified
individuals who require and request such accommodation.
Other Requirements:
Positions in this classification are defined as "Safety Sensitive" per the U.S. Department
of Transportation regulations. Individuals hired into these positions will be subject to PreEmployment Drug Testing, Random Drug and Alcohol Testing, Reasonable Suspicion
Right to Test and Post Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing.
This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not allinclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may
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be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document
and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
FLSA: NE