Equipment Technician Apprentice/Equipment Technician/Senior Equipment Technician (Relief)

Equipment Technician Apprentice: $20.21-$24.56 per hour
Equipment Technician: $22.23-$27.02 per hour
Senior Equipment Technician:  $24.56-$29.86 per hour


Relief employees receive no benefit package and serve at the pleasure of their department head. Relief positions are temporary positions and may have either a fixed schedule or be used on a fill in basis.  

This relief position is expected to be funded through June 30, 2025.

Under direct or general supervision, performs preventive entry-level maintenance work such as oil changes on a wide variety of County vehicles, fire equipment, and light-to-heavy duty trucks and equipment; and performs related work as required. 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
 
Receives direct or general supervision from the Fleet Manager.  Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  May provide technical and functional direction to assigned staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
 
Equipment Technician Apprentice: This is the entry-level in the Equipment Technician series. Under supervision, incumbents perform simpler tasks such as oil changes, and support for the Equipment Technicians. Additionally, this entry-level position will learn to perform more complex and difficult repairs and maintenance over time.  Work will be supervised initially until the incumbent has acquired the skill set.  This class is flexibly staffed with the Equipment Technician/Senior Equipment Technician, and incumbents normally advance to the higher level after gaining experience and achieving proficiency which meet the requirements for the Equipment Technician 

Equipment Technician: This is the mid-level in the Equipment Technician series.  Initially under supervision, incumbents perform simpler repairs and preventive maintenance, and learn to perform more complex and difficult repairs and maintenance.  As more experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence.  Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Senior level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.  Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern.  Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.  This class is flexibly staffed with Senior Equipment Technician, and incumbents normally advance to the higher level after gaining experience and achieving proficiency which meet the requirements for Senior Equipment Technician.
 
Senior Equipment Technician: This is the journey-level in the Equipment Technician classification series, capable of the full range of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, gasoline and diesel repair and maintenance required for County vehicles, and equipment. Responsibilities include inspecting and attending to assigned areas in a timely manner, and performing a wide variety of tasks in the maintenance and repair of assigned vehicles and equipment.  Incumbents are expected to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative.   Positions at this level are distinguished from the entry-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative.   Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.   This class is distinguished from the Equipment Technician in that it performs more highly skilled technical and mechanical maintenance activities.  This class is distinguished from Lead Equipment Technician in that the latter leads, trains, and oversees assigned work and performs the more complex and difficult work in mechanical maintenance and repair of County vehicles and equipment.  
 
These positions in the Equipment Technician class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Senior level are normally filled by advancement from the Equipment Technician level after completing two (2) additional years of experience and demonstrating the acquisition of the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the Senior level qualifications and the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Inspects, diagnoses, and locates mechanical difficulties on County automobiles, trucks, and a variety of diesel, gasoline, electric, and natural gas-powered maintenance and construction equipment. 
• Overhauls, repairs, and adjusts engines, transmissions, differentials, and clutches; tunes up engines; diagnoses fuel injection problems; replaces ignition parts; cleans and adjusts carburetors. 
• Replaces or repairs faulty parts including wheel bearings, clutches, oil seals, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, steering mechanisms, and related parts and equipment on County vehicles and off-road equipment. 
• Ensures that all vehicles and equipment are in safe and operational condition; makes emergency road-side vehicle and equipment repairs; performs on-site field repairs to stationery or disabled equipment.
• Performs electric and oxy-acetylene welding in the fabricating and repair of equipment, structures, tools, and other related parts; designs, lays out, and fabricates equipment parts; rebuilds broken equipment and parts as necessary. 
• Adjusts, repairs, replaces and/or rebuilds carburetors, fuel injection systems and other fuel system components.
• Installs, troubleshoots, adjusts, replaces, repairs and/or rewires electrical components such as ignition, signals, lights and electrical controls, including computer-controlled components.
• Diagnoses, adjusts, repairs and maintains fire pumps and their associated plumbing equipment and systems; adjusts, repairs and maintains auxiliary equipment used in firefighting.
• Repairs and rebuilds hydraulic and pneumatic apparatus such as backhoes, loaders, booms and lifts. 
• Adjusts and repairs or rebuilds drum and disk braking systems, valves, master cylinders and pneumatic or other hydraulic controls.
• Repairs and replaces suspension and steering components.
• Adjusts, repairs, overhauls or prepares for job shop automatic and manual transmissions, differentials, transfer cases, power take off drives, clutches and related drivetrain components.
• Repairs and maintains hand-held and walk-behind power equipment.
• Performs limited body and frame repair.
• Assists other maintenance and mechanical personnel in the performance of complex or emergency duties as necessary. 
• Orders materials, parts and supplies required for maintenance and repair work; assists in stocking supplies and maintaining inventory records.
• Reads and interprets technical manuals and blueprints to facilitate installation, servicing, repair, and replacement services and activities. 
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Maintains public facilities, shop and garage areas, storage sites, and other work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing equipment and tools at the close of the workday.
• Prepares and maintains records of work performed, time and materials used in each project.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge of:
 
Equipment Technician Apprentice:

• Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in routine, basic automotive work such as oil changes, vehicle intake procedures, tire pressure maintenance. 
• Occupational hazards and safety equipment and practices related to the work.
• Safe driving rules and practices.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

Equipment Technician: (In addition to the above)

• Principles, practices, methods, equipment, materials, and tools used in maintenance and repair of automobiles and vehicles. 
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in routine welding and fabrication work. 
• Higher level occupational hazards and safety equipment and practices related to Equipment Technician work.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and basic applications.
• Principles and procedures of record-keeping and reporting. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

 
Senior Equipment Technician: (In addition to the above)

• Principles, practices, tools, equipment and materials used in the maintenance and repair of automobiles, light- and heavy-duty trucks and equipment, fire vehicles, snow removal and other specialized equipment, including hydraulic and computer-controlled systems.
• Codes, standards and regulations governing the maintenance and testing of fire equipment and apparatus.
• Operating and repair characteristics of a wide variety of County owned equipment. 
• Fire pumps and accessories.
• Principles and practices of gasoline and diesel engine maintenance and repair.

 
Ability to:
 
Equipment Technician Apprentice:

• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of basic apprentice work performed.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions. 
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties. 

 
Equipment Technician:

• Troubleshoot and determine appropriate action in the maintenance and repair of automobiles and vehicles. 
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software. 
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

 
Senior Equipment Technician:  (In addition to the above)

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, test, repair and perform preventive maintenance work on automotive, fire, construction and maintenance equipment and systems.
• Perform skilled electrical, welding, and mechanical maintenance, repair, and installation work. 
• Read and interpret hydraulic and electrical schematics and fabrication blueprints. 
• Correctly interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions. 
• Operate computerized diagnostic equipment.
• Operate welding equipment and a variety of power tools.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

All Levels: Equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Vocational training or courses in automotive and/or equipment maintenance and repair is desirable.
 
Equipment Technician Apprentice: High school diploma or GED.  

Equipment Technician: One (1) year of experience as an automotive or heavy equipment mechanic.  
 
Senior Equipment Technician: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible automotive and/or heavy equipment mechanic experience, or completion of an apprenticeship program leading to journey-level status as an Equipment Technician, or two (2) years as an Equipment Technician I in Tuolumne County.   

Licenses and Certifications:
 
Equipment Technician Apprentice:

• Possession of a Class “C” driver’s license. 

Equipment Technician:

• Possession of a Class “B” driver’s license is desirable.
• Possession of certificates in air brakes, diagnostics, troubleshooting, welding and air conditioning repair are desirable.

 
Senior Equipment Technician (In addition to the above)

• Possession of a California Class “B” driver's license with a tank vehicle endorsement and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a valid Class “A” license is desirable.
• Possession of air brakes and air conditioning certificates.
• Possession of a California State Fire Marshal Fire Mechanic 1: Fire Pumps and Accessories and/or Fire Mechanic 2A: Fire Apparatus Electrical Systems certificate is desirable.

Relief employees receive no benefit package and serve at the pleasure of their department head. Relief positions are temporary positions and may have either a fixed schedule or be used on a fill in basis.  

This relief position is expected to be funded through June 30, 2025.


The County of Tuolumne Department of Public Works is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents and travelers by ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure. With a dedicated team of 60 professionals, the department operates with a focus on public service and efficiency.

The department manages a comprehensive range of responsibilities through its 13 distinct budgets, totaling approximately $30 million for the current fiscal year. Its divisions include:

• Engineering: Oversees planning and execution of infrastructure projects, including securing millions in grants annually for bridge and roadway improvements.
• Road Maintenance: Maintains 610 miles of County roads including routine maintenance, emergency response, seasonal work, and safety and signage.
• Fleet Services: Provides maintenance and repair services for all County vehicles except those used by Fire services.
• Business: Manages the administrative and financial aspects of the department.
• Survey/GIS: Handles surveying and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support planning and development.
• Solid Waste: Oversees the management of two closed landfills and three transfer stations, ensuring proper waste disposal and environmental compliance.
• Airports: Manages two airports, including three runways and 83 hangars, covering over 400 acres of land.

Together, these divisions work to maintain and improve the county’s infrastructure, supporting both local needs and broader regional development.

Salary : $20 - $30