Transit Mechanic

The Transit Mechanic position performs advanced skilled trades work inspecting, repairing, and maintaining transit vehicles, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the supervision of the Lead Mechanic. This position is classified as an essential position during designated planned or unplanned events.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performs required State inspections, preventive maintenance, and problem diagnosis; adjusts, repairs and services revenue and support vehicles
• Services automotive, medium duty and heavy duty vehicles (gasoline, diesel, and electric powered) vehicle systems and accessories such as diesel engine valve adjustments, diesel engine overhauls, repairs front and rear axle assemblies, suspension systems, braking systems, automatic transmissions, hydraulic systems, compressed air system, vacuum and electric controls, air-conditioning, electrical systems, charging and starting systems and components, wheel chair ramps and lifts, air bags, etc; rebuilds parts as necessary
• Performs tire installations and repairs; mounts and balances tires and performs wheel alignments
• Operates various types of shop equipment and machinery, fork lifts, specialized tools and devices such as diagnostic programs on laptop computers, specialized king pin press and front and rear axle tools
• Repairs and rebuilds planetary drives
• Diagnoses multiple complex computer operated systems on buses
• Able to use dial gauges, micrometers and other measuring equipment, wheel alignment equipment, large on bus brake lathes, grinders, drill presses, hydraulic lift, mobile wheel lifts, impact wrench and other power tools
• Responds to road calls and other emergency calls for service including after-hours call outs for breakdowns; serves as on-call mechanic on a rotating basis
• Performs road tests of vehicles to ensure safety and quality of work performed
• Advises supervisor of additional work needed and repairs that cannot be completed as scheduled
• Completes State inspection reports and work orders indicating parts used and time spent
• Assists in keeping the shop area clean and neat
• Complies with regulations governing the handling and disposal of hazardous waste and use of personal protection
• Helps train new staff and instructs on safe equipment use and operations
• Depending on work shift assigned, mechanic duties also include early AM pullout duties which include checking bus walk around cards and making checks and repairs as necessary for early AM pullout

• General knowledge of the operation and repair of the components, systems and accessories of transit vehicles and machinery
• General knowledge of the tools and equipment, as well as the special tools, gages, machinery and shop equipment used in the repair, servicing and maintenance of transit equipment
• Ability to detect by inspection any worn, defective or improperly adjusted parts
• General knowledge of the safety and occupational hazards associated with the work
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to interpret and work from sketches, diagrams and installation and repair charts
• Ability to keep records of repair and service operations
• Knowledge of or ability to learn the practices, methods and tools of welding
• Ability to operate a personal computer and laptop with the applicable software programs for required maintenance work orders and for performing diagnostic work on transit vehicles including checking codes, clearing codes and to activate regen cycles on diesel buses
• Ability to maintain, diagnose, adjust, repair, and service hybrid, gasoline, diesel, and electric powered vehicles
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors and the general public

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Moderate experience as an automotive mechanic, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements

• Possession of or ability to obtain Commonwealth of Virginia State Inspector license and Type II A/C certification within one year of employment.
• Valid commercial driver's license (Class B with Air Brakes and P endorsement) in the Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record
• Commonwealth of Virginia with a satisfactory driving record
• This is a safety-sensitive position subject to drug and alcohol testing guidelines as set forth by the Federal Transit Administration and the US Department of Transportation in 49 CFR Part 40, and Part 655, as amended
• A pre-employment drug screening is required for this position
• Drug and alcohol testing guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration, will be followed during the employment period

• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking, pushing or pulling and lifting and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and smelling
• Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work regularly requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, frequently requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and exposure to vibration and occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
• Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic)