Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Position Description

Position Title:

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Department:
Public Works, Division:
Municipal Garage

FLSA:
Non‑Exempt | Retirement: KPERS | Effective Date:
July 1, 2025

Performs semi‑skilled, skilled, and administrative work in maintaining the vehicles and mechanical equipment of the City’s departments and divisions. Primary focus will be on maintenance and repair of heavy equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, and trash trucks.

Works under the general supervision of the Operations Superintendent. Must be able to work without constant supervision and effectively lay out daily repair plans.

• Plans, carries out, and evaluates preventative maintenance schedules for all vehicles and mechanical equipment, either personally or through outside vendors.
• Operates a variety of diagnostic instruments and a variety of hand, electric, and air‑driven tools.
• Tests, services, and repairs vehicles and mechanical equipment.
• Inspects, adjusts, and replaces necessary units and related parts in the performance of repair and maintenance work.
• Diagnoses and repairs brake, engine, electrical, fuel, hydraulic, transmission, ignition, air, exhaust, HVAC, axle assemblies and related systems.
• Performs minor body repair, touch‑up, and related work.
• Changes and repairs tires and tubes.
• Evaluates status of mechanical equipment/vehicles and schedules needed repairs.
• Conducts analyses and inspections of vehicles and mechanical systems to determine the most cost‑effective means of maintenance, repair and replacement.
• Provides emergency field assistance to disabled equipment as needed.
• Assists in the preparation of bid specifications for vehicles and mechanical equipment.
• Assists in the preparation and administration of mechanical budgets in conformance with adopted policies and procedures.
• Maintains records, prepares reports and other specialized maintenance records of equipment and mechanical equipment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Works flexible/extended hours during emergencies or snow removal events.

May serve as a member of various employee committees.

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of hire.
• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent plus some specialized training in mechanics, maintenance management, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of related experience, with at least two (2) years with heavy equipment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of application (and maintain it for the duration of employment) and meet insurability standards under the fleet insurance policy.

• Thorough knowledge of automotive mechanics; considerable knowledge of gas and diesel engines, transmissions, hydraulics, fire pumps and valves, generators; price trends and grades or quality of materials and equipment; working knowledge of hazards and safety precautions common to municipal maintenance and repair activities; working knowledge of modern equipment maintenance practices, methods, materials and tools; working knowledge of fleet operations and systems, including related computer software programs.
• Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective preventative maintenance programs, policies, and procedures; ability to carry out assigned projects to their completion; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, vendors and the public.

• Must obtain a Kansas (or State equivalent) Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air brakes within one (1) year of hire and retain it for the duration of employment.
• Subject to immediate call‑outs during snow, storm, traffic signal or other emergencies.
• Must comply with the City’s established on‑call response time frames (40 minutes) within 90 days of hire date.

Not specified.