Salary: $37.03 - $47.26 Hourly
Location : Modesto, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 04785
Department: Public Works
Division: City Services for StanRTA - Bus Maintenance Facility
Opening Date: 10/30/2026
Closing Date: 11/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: MCEA
The Position
Make a difference every day by helping keep public transportation safe, reliable, and efficient. As a Heavy Equipment Mechanic Crewleader with the City of Modesto, you will lead maintenance and repair operations for a diverse fleet serving thousands of riders throughout Stanislaus County. From advanced electric and hydrogen-powered buses to traditional diesel equipment, you'll use your expertise to support critical transit services while developing and guiding a team of skilled mechanics.
Salary Incentives:
2.5% Education Incentive (bachelor's degree)
5% Education Incentive (master's degree)
The Heavy Equipment Mechanic Crewleader is responsible to schedule, organize, assign, and review the work of assigned personnel engaged in skilled and semi-skilled maintenance and repair of the City's transit buses and other gas- and diesel- powered vehicles and equipment; to make the most complex mechanical repairs to automotive, diesel, public safety, and other power driven equipment; to perform duties requiring specialized knowledge; and to provide support to the Operations Supervisor. The City of Modesto's support of StanRTA include 87 fixed-route buses, 8 commuter buses, and 49 demand-response buses. This fleet consists of a diverse mix of diesel, electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG), and gasoline-powered vehicles, along with other support vehicles that assist in transit operations and maintenance.
**No remote work options. No remote or virtual interview/testing options
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Applications will be screened to the most qualified. Please do not substitute any part of the application with the words "see resume".
The following information is provided for use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. Applicants considered to be the most qualified will be invited to continue in the testing process. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.
Tentative Testing Schedule
In-person written exam
December 4, 2026
Essential and Marginal Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Plan, prioritize, and review the work of staff assigned to perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled duties involving the maintenance and repair of the City's transit buses and other gas- and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
Develop schedules and methods to accomplish assignments, ensuring work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Participate in evaluating the activities of staff, recommending improvements and modifications.
Provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.
Inspect, diagnose, and locate mechanical difficulties on City transit buses, automobiles, trucks, and a variety of other diesel- and gas-powered maintenance and heavy construction equipment, as required.
Schedule maintenance, troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair electric transit buses and their high voltage components, including defrosters, power steering, HVAC systems, air compressors, drive motors, junction boxes, converters, manual charge ports, and battery packs.
Receive information from users, evaluate equipment problems, and determine action required for facilitating repair.
Weld, fabricate, and assemble parts and equipment for City transit buses and other automotive and heavy equipment; weld, braze, cut shape, and fasten metal parts; fabricate and weld vehicle frames, chassis, and exhaust systems.
Use welding equipment, drill presses, lathes, grinders, and a large assortment of other power and hand tools and measurement instruments required for journey level fabrication work.
Overhaul, repair, and adjust engines, transmissions, differentials, clutches, fire engine pumps, valves, heavy construction equipment hydraulic systems, and air systems.
Tune up engines, replacing electrical and electronic parts; clean and adjust carburetors and fuel injection systems.
Replace or repair faulty parts, including wheel bearings, clutches or oil seals, shock absorbers, exhaust systems, steering mechanisms, and related parts and equipment.
Diagnose, repair, or replace such components as generators, alternators, distributors, relays, lights and switches, computerized control systems, ignition systems, air conditioning systems, power steering, and cooling systems.
Maintain and repair air conditioning and climate systems.
Diagnose and repair wheelchair lifts and coin collection equipment.
Make roadside repairs as necessary.
Communicate with City vendors and City employees regarding status of fleet or other issues.
Assist in the purchasing of equipment maintenance parts and materials.
Maintain work, time, and material records.
Diagnose and repair various electronic and computer-controlled devices.
Diagnose and repair emissions systems.
Follow up on Department of Transportation inspections to ensure vehicles are within required guidelines.
May perform repairs and preventative maintenance for Fire Department heavy duty apparatus.
May perform smog certification on City-owned vehicles.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of technical and functional supervision and training.
Tools, equipment, and procedures used in the overhaul, repair, and adjustment of transit buses and other gas- and diesel-powered equipment.
Operation and care of internal combustion engines, fire suppression pumping systems, and hydraulic equipment.
Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in welding and fabrication work.
Operating and repair characteristics of City transit buses and a wide variety of City owned equipment.
Safe work practices pertaining to areas of assignment.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to:
Provide technical and functional supervision over assigned staff; effectively train staff.
Perform skilled welding and fabrication work.
Use a variety of tools, testers, and equipment with skill.
Maintain a variety of shop and repair records.
Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
Perform the most complex duties related to the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment, including the troubleshooting of equipment for both major and minor repair work.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Perform heavy manual labor, including occasional lifting and carrying.
Accurately determine mechanical repair needs and estimate the cost and time of repairs.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, database applications, and fleet management systems.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Four years of increasingly responsible experience performing automotive and heavy equipment maintenance and repair duties equivalent to those of a Heavy Equipment Mechanic.
Training:
High School diploma or GED equivalency, supplemented by specialized training in the maintenance and repair of gas- and diesel-powered equipment.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid Class A or Class B Commercial California driver's license with specific endorsements, as assigned, is required within sixty (60) days of appointment.
Possession of a valid Vehicle Inspection Pollution Controls license is desirable.
In compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Certificate is required within one (1) year of appointment.
Possession of certifications in four (4) areas of heavy-duty classes issued by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is required within one (1) year of appointment.
Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time will result in release from probation.
Additional Requirements:
Possession of a complete set of mechanic hand tools through 1-1/2" and a toolbox.
Physical and Mental Requirements
Mobility: frequent performance of heavy manual labor; frequent standing for long period of time; frequent bending and squatting. Lifting: frequent lifting up to 75 pounds; occasional lifting up to 100 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision. Dexterity: frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking in person. May be required to wear ear protection or hear in noisy conditions. Emotional/Psychological: frequent coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to loud noise; frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a mechanical shop environment on a year-round basis and is subject to exposure to loud equipment and machinery. Some work may occur at remote locations. Positions may require varying shifts, including nights and weekends, as well as rotating shifts periodically and travel is rare.
Modesto City Employee Association (MCEA)
Employee benefits are subject to change and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect please see the Memoranda of Understanding.
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit.
VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to twice their annual accrual.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,100 hours.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,110.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,494.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 748.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
LIFE INSURANCE: Coverage in the amount of $20,000 is provided by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
DISABILITY INSURANCE: coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With a matching contribution by the employee, the City will contribute 1% of salary, (increasing to 2% after 15 years of service) to a voluntary 457 Plan.
RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,880 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period. After initial contribution, the City shall contribute $130 per month.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Bachelor's degree pays in the amount of 2.5% of salary and Master's degree pays in the amount of 5% of salary.
BILINGUAL INCENTIVE LEAVE:Employees who pass a review panel and are needed in this capacity by the department, will receive 3 hours of Bilingual Leave Time per pay period into their Compensatory Time Off (CTO) balance.
UNIFORM AND UNIFORM ALLOWANCE PROGRAM: is provided for some positions.
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM is provided for some positions.
LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax dedu
