Heavy Duty Diesel Technician

Salary : $93,579.20 - $102,107.20 Annually
Location : 3701 96th St. SW, Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2790-26A
Department: Maintenance
Division: Fleet
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
Pay Details
Pay Details

The top wage listed above includes all eligible premiums (graveyard shift differential and ASE certifications) which are available after completion of probation.

Key Benefits

Working for Pierce Transit gives you access to the following benefits, (check-out the ATU Local 758 Collective Bargaining Agreement, click the Benefits tab above, or read on for details):

• $2500 moving expense reimbursement
• ASE Certification Pay (up to $3 per hour)
• Shift Differential Pay (up to 20% under pilot program with ATU)
• $500 Annual Tool Allowance
• Boot Reimbursement
• No Social Security tax on wages (extra 6.2% in your pocket)
• Excellent medical, vision and dental coverage
• Time off - generous vacation, sick leave and holiday (11 fixed and 2 floating holidays) plan, including up to 2 wellness days (up to 39 days off per year for the first 4 years, increases after that)
• Washington State Public Employees Retirement System Plan - Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Matching 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (starts at 4.25%)

About the Role:

Heavy Duty Diesel Technicians at Pierce Transit work diligently to serve our community so that service can roll out each morning. Ideal candidates will have a reputation for prioritizing safety, demonstrating reliability, and taking great pride in their work. Regular duties in this role will include:

• Preventative maintenance.
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing issues.
• Repairing natural gas, EV and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
• Diagnoses malfunctions and adjusts fuel, electrical, programmable logic controls (PLC's) and mechanical systems to specifications.
• Repairs, adjusts, or replaces complete or integral parts of natural gas, EV, and diesel engines, transmissions, drive trains and differentials, and lubrication, cooling, exhaust after treatment, and air or hydraulic systems.
• Diagnosis, repairs and/or maintains automatic transmissions and engines in buses.
• Inspects, adjusts, troubleshoots, and repairs bus door operation, air-ride systems, steering systems, and wheelchair lifts.
• Enters work order data on Agency computers.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• Graduation from High School or equivalent and completion of a four (4) year diesel mechanic apprentice program or equivalent education and experience as a heavy-duty diesel technician.

License Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver license at time of application, with maintenance thereafter.
• Must obtain a Class B Commercial License Permit (CLP) prior to hire and successfully obtain a Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with air brake and passenger endorsement within ninety (90) days of hire, with maintenance thereafter.
• Must maintain acceptable driving record throughout employment.
• Pierce Transit will pay and instruct you on-site to get your Class B CDL with some of the best driving instructors in the industry.

Knowledge of and skill in applying:

• Methods, materials, tools, and standard practices related to the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
• Principles of spark/compression-ignited engines.
• Safety precautions followed in heavy equipment repair shops

Skill in and ability to:

• Use jacks, wrenches, grease guns, hydraulic hoists, cleaning materials and other tools and equipment used in the service and repair of heavy equipment.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Work with other employees in a directed work team environment.
• Conceptualize required work through personal observation or a verbal description and determine what is necessary to obtain quality results.
• Perform computerized work order procedures.
• Pass a job-related examination; pass federally required drug and alcohol testing.
• Drive all job-related vehicles and maintain a valid Washington State driver license and CDL.

Special Requirements:

• Please note: In order to obtain a Commercial License Permit in Washington State, you must be able to provide your current license, Social Security number and proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency.
• Must be willing to work any shift (assignment to swing shift, graveyard and/or weekends likely).
• Must have the ability to perform the essential functions as described above including the ability to maneuver objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Must possess a complete set of heavy equipment tools and a roll-a-way toolbox necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Mechanic I Offer: Applicants may be offered a Mechanic I opportunity if they do not possess sufficient proficiency to be hired as a Technician. Those hired at the Mechanic I classification will be given on-the-job training with the end goal of achieving Heavy Duty Diesel Technician standing. Starting 2025 pay for Mechanic I is $42.17 per hour.

Representation:

This job is represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 758.

More About Our Benefits:

Relocation Reimbursement: Applicants living more than 60 miles away, can qualify for reimbursement up to $2,500 in moving expenses for those who physically relocate their primary residence to the area (substantiated with receipts). Washington State was recently recognized as being number 1 in the nation for quality of life; read more about that

Workout Facilities: At Pierce Transit, our employees' health is important to us! That's why we offer several on-site gyms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

Tuition Assistance: If your career goals change while you're employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a position at Pierce Transit.

Retirement Plan: Pierce Transit employees are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, and Employees who have participated in the Tacoma Employee's Retirement System (TERS) may elect to continue to participate in that system. As well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensation.

Deferred Compensation: After probation completion, participating employees receive an Employer-match of 4.25% which increases with tenure.

Flexible Spending Account: Health Care and Depended Care flexible spending accounts are available to employees. This program allows individuals to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars through voluntary deductions.

Free ORCA Benefit: Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit provides free access to service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.

Paid Time Off: Full-time Pierce Transit employees are eligible to receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, 12 vacation days per year to start, and the ability to earn 2 Wellness Days. Vacation leave accrual rates increase per the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Shift Requirements: Please note that, due to seniority-based shift assignments, all new employees will likely initially be assigned to either swing or graveyard shifts, following CDL training.

Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:

To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online:

1. The online application must include a chronological work and/or education history covering a ten-year period.
2. At least 3 professional references should be included with names, professional titles, and current phone numbers and/or email addresses.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources staff at 253.581.8095 or

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email

01

Which of the following best describes your experience and/or training as related to the minimum qualifications for this position?

• I have four (4) or more years of journey-level mechanical work experience in transit, bus, or over-the-road coach maintenance. Note: Experience must include at least one year of heavy duty diesel mechanic work experience or alternative fueled spark ignited engines.
• I have completed a two (2) year diesel mechanic vocational course of study plus two (2) years journey-level mechanical work.
• I have completed a four (4) year diesel mechanic apprentice program.
• I earned and possess a certification as a diesel mechanic that was issued by a private or public agency recognized by Pierce Transit.

02

This job requires you to possess a complete set of heavy equipment tools and a roll-a-way toolbox necessary to perform the essential functions. Are you able to meet this requirement? (The expectation is to have up to ½" drive sockets and wrenches up to 1 ¼ "as well as the roll away box.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question