HomeMy WebLinkAboutMechanic III - TransitUpdated: May 2025
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Mechanic III – Transit
Department: Transportation Services
Division: Transit
Supervisor: Operations Supervisor
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 13
Job Number: 1308
Job Summary
Under general direction, performs advanced service, maintenance and repairs of heavy-duty
transit coaches and other equipment in the City transit fleet. Determines the mechanical safety
of light duty and heavy-duty transit bus prior to release for passenger service.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Ensures that safety-sensitive repairs on vehicles used for public transportation are
completed correctly.
• Serves as head technician on an assigned shift, inspects City transit fleet and equipment
for safety defects and road worthiness, removes vehicles from service due to defects,
inspects mechanical functions including the engine, transmission, suspension, steering,
brakes, lights, tires, hoses and exhaust systems.
• Diagnoses of mechanical problems, electrical components, cooling components and
chair ramps and determines the extent of necessary repairs using knowledge and
specialized equipment.
• Repairs, adjusts and rebuilds components of engines, transmissions, air conditioning
units, brakes and coach accessories, and any other necessary repairs, performs work on
other special projects such as re-powering or updating buses.
• Raises vehicles using hydraulic jack or hoists to remove or replace units such as an
engine, wheels and tires, transmission or differential.
• Tunes up engines, replaces, fits and adjusts components and replaces parts including
fuel injectors, fuel pumps, fuel lines, fuel tanks, brakes and bearings.
• Relines brakes, replaces master cylinders, boosters, air brake components and turns
drums and rotors, replaces, fits and adjusts radiators, water pumps and hoses.
• Answers service calls, responds to emergencies, and performs repair work in the field,
communicates with Mass Transit Operators, Transit Supervisors, and staff to diagnose
issues.
• Cleans work area and shop, repairs and maintains equipment used in repair of vehicles.
• Prepares new vehicles for service and removes older ones from fleet.
Updated: May 2025
• Performs preventive maintenance to the transit bus fleet including electrical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, suspension, fuel systems, differentials, engine, transmission, air brakes,
passenger lifts or ramps heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems and any other
necessary equipment.
• Reports time and material costs on work orders using computerized fleet maintenance
system for labor, parts, materials and notations, repair order forms and other related
paperwork.
• Performs component rebuilding and reconditioning services in hydraulics, pumps and
other units on transit coaches and other transit equipment.
• Furnishes personal tools for use in performing job duties.
• Repairs SEATS paratransit vans as needed, repairs passenger lifts, air-conditioning, brake
work and other necessary items to paratransit vans.
• Participates in on-going training and development, including emerging technologies, and
assists in the training and development of staff.
• Contacts other transit facilities to share information and trade parts, may contact
vendors for part orders or issues with parts.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related
experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in
Automotive/Diesel Mechanics. Experience in heavy duty bus maintenance, auto/diesel
mechanics, fleet maintenance, or related.
• Air brake inspection certification. Air conditioning material handling certification. Forklift
operator’s certificate. Valid State of Iowa Class B commercial driver's license with air
brake and passenger endorsement within 90 days of hire. Meet federal drug testing
requirements. A pre-employment drug screen. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass
criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related
experience; or five years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Experience in welding, fabrication and component rebuilding
and reconditioning.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions,
percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
• Ability to diagnose engine malfunctions and perform necessary repairs before releasing
vehicle into passenger service.
Updated: May 2025
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or
schedule form.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and compute torque values, metric
conversions and measurement of equipment tolerances.
• Ability to prepare written and computerized repair orders.
• Ability to read and interpret service and parts manuals, diagrams and technical
information, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure
manuals.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in
situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Advanced technical knowledge of equipment complexity and increased use of
computers to troubleshoot vehicles, and the increased use of computers to run vehicles.
• Knowledge of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and OSHA (Occupational Safety
and Health Administration) regulations.
• Knowledge of gasoline and diesel engines, electrical systems, computerized engine
control and fuel systems.
• Knowledge of safety defects.
• Knowledge of welding, fabrication and component rebuilding and reconditioning.
• Skill in the use of tools and repair equipment including engine, electrical and digital
diagnostic equipment and precision measuring equipment.
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
permanent staff in completing basic, entry-level daily tasks and assignments. Does not carry out
disciplinary action, does not hire or fire, is not responsible for writing or delivering performance
review.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 25 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
with or without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Updated: May 2025
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is frequently exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves
more than moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves more than moderate exposure
to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Darian Nagle-Gamm, Transportation Services Director (5/2025)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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