Mechanic I-II

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW - From Patrol Cars to CNG Heavy Duty: Diagnose, Repair, and Fabricate for a Multi-Asset Fleet.

The City of Tulare is currently seeking a dedicated individual to join our Fleet Maintenance Division as a Mechanic I or Mechanic II (level dependent on experience and license).

This is an excellent opportunity for a mechanical professional to support the vital equipment that keeps our city running. From routine preventive maintenance to complex diagnostics on gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel vehicles, this role offers a challenging and rewarding environment.

Why Join Us?

• A Clear Pathway: Start as a Mechanic I ($3,916 - $4,760/mo) and grow into a Journey-level Mechanic II ($5,050 - $6,139/mo) or start as a Mechanic II if you have the experience and a commercial drivers license. If you don't have a commercial license, we have a program to help you obtain one.
• Diverse Work: From public safety vehicles and hybrid cars to heavy construction equipment and CNG-powered engines—you’ll never get bored.
• Stability: Work for a municipality that values safety, work-life balance, and long-term career development.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform preventative maintenance and complex repairs on the City’s diverse fleet.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair light and heavy-duty vehicles.
• Conduct safety inspections and engine overhauls.
• Fabricate and install specialized equipment for public safety vehicles.
• Support our community by keeping emergency and service vehicles on the road.

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 70,693 located in the heart of California's Central Valley. The organization, staffed with 400 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS

To be considered for this position applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application. Your responses to the supplemental questions will be used to help us evaluate your qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application or in lieu of detailed responses to the supplemental questions

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview process on: Wednesday, May 27, 2026. For planning/scheduling purposes, please make note of the interview date. Additional details will be sent via email once our screening process is complete (on or before May 20th at 5:00 p.m.).
POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision, performs a variety of semi-skilled to skilled tasks in the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of City equipment and facilities; performs preventative maintenance of vehicles and equipment ; repairs, services, and performs major and minor repairs to City automobiles, trucks, tractors, and other power-driven equipment ; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives technical and functional direction and training from the Lead Mechanic and general supervision from the Fleet Maintenance Manager. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Mechanic I: T his is the entry-level class in the mechanic series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents with basic vehicle and equipment repair and maintenance experience perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and basic service and repair activities of light and heavy City vehicles, public safety vehicles and equipment, and construction and maintenance equipment. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied and are performed with greater independence. This class is distinguished from the Mechanic II in that the latter performs the more complex maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment that requires additional knowledge, skills, and experience.

Mechanic II: This is the journey-level class in the mechanic series. This class independently performs the full range of preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, service, and repair activities on a range of light and heavy City vehicles, public safety vehicles and equipment, and construction and maintenance equipment. This class is distinguished from the Lead Mechanic in that the latter is responsible for technical and functional direction over lower-level fleet maintenance staff and is capable of performing the most complex duties assigned to the division.

Examples of Essential Functions

(Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights 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. The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Performs preventive maintenance work on vehicles and equipment including lubrication and oil changes, maintaining, repairing, and inspecting tires and rims, and cleaning vehicles and equipment.
• Inspects automobiles, trucks, and related equipment to locate and determine the extent of necessary overhaul or repair.
• Inspects, adjusts, and replaces necessary units and related parts including brakes, rotors, and brake pads, air valves, hoses, belts, spark plugs, rotor caps, wires, axle wheel bearings and seals, and alternators.
• Performs complete safety inspections of vehicles and equipment.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of the interior of vehicles, including window regulators, seats, and electrical control switches.
• Performs fabrication, welding, and minor body work of vehicles and equipment.
• Responds to service calls; retrieves and transports inoperable vehicles and equipment.
• Assists in performing general overhaul and repair work on gasoline, diesel, liquid and compressed natural gas, and propane powered engines such as automobiles, trucks, tractors, and other automotive and mechanical equipment.
• Assists in repairing cooling, fuel, electrical, and exhaust systems; tunes engines using standard testing equipment.
• Maintains department trucks, forklifts, and cranes.
• Assists in maintaining City owned fuel islands.
• Cleans and maintains the garage area and equipment.
• Responds to complaints and answers questions from City staff or escalates to supervisor, as necessary.
• Responds to maintenance and repair emergency situations as required.
• Observes safe work methods and makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Operates a variety of tools and equipment related to work assignment as instructed.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition, including securing vehicles and equipment at the close of the workday.
• Maintains records and logs of daily activities; prepares reports as necessary.
• May work with Parts and Inventory Clerk to locate and obtain the appropriate tools, parts, and equipment needed to repair City vehicles in a timely manner.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Mechanic II, in addition to the above:

• Inspects, troubleshoots, diagnoses, repairs, and tests mechanical defects or malfunctions in light and heavy gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, gas/electric hybrid, and diesel-powered vehicles including automobiles, trucks, and related equipment; locates and determines the extent of necessary overhaul or repair.
• Operates testing equipment, including computer engine analyzers, oscilloscopes, compression gauges, electrical testers, micrometers, and other testing equipment.
• Inspects, installs, adjusts, repairs, and replaces necessary units and related parts including air conditioning units, electrical systems, emission control systems, and other systems and equipment; installs spark plugs, distributors, condensers, points, rotors, ignition coils, and ignition wires.
• Tests and repairs starters, alternators, and batteries; repairs fuel injectors, computers, and related parts.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, inspects, disassembles, rebuilds, replaces, and adjusts major assemblies, complex components, engines and motors, transmissions, fuel systems, electrical systems, air conditioners, computers, air and hydraulic brake systems, and hydraulic components and systems.
• Performs general overhaul, adjustments, and repair work on gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, and diesel-powered engines, transmissions, clutches, differentials, carburetors, generators, distributors, and pumps; installs axles and wheels, overhauls master and wheel cylinders, calipers, air pots, and air valves; overhauls, relines, and adjusts hydraulic and pneumatic brakes; adjusts steering geometry and replaces steering and suspension components.
• Performs preventive maintenance work on vehicles including tuning engines using standard testing equipment.
• Performs complete safety inspections of vehicles and equipment, including California Highway Patrol (CHP) mandated safety inspections.
• Installs and fabricates parts to accommodate the conversion of stock cars and motorcycles into public safety vehicles, including installing radios, light bars, sirens, and other auxiliary equipment to fit the needs of law enforcement; inspects, troubleshoots, diagnoses, repairs, and tests public safety vehicles.
• Performs design, fabrication, welding, and minor body work of vehicles and equipment; repairs and replaces damaged sheet metal and iron work.
• Responds to service calls and complaints and answers questions from City staff and the public or escalates to supervisor, as necessary.
• Estimates time, materials, and equipment required for assigned jobs; works with Parts and Inventory Clerk to locate and obtain the appropriate tools, parts, and equipment needed to repair City vehicles in a timely manner.

Qualifications / Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of repair, overhaul, servicing, and preventive maintenance of heavy and light gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, and diesel-powered equipment, and relevant codes and regulations relating to this function.
• Techniques, methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the overhaul, servicing, and preventive maintenance of heavy and light gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, and diesel-powered automobiles, trucks, and construction equipment.
• Operation and maintenance of internal combustion engines, chassis, and hydraulic components and systems.
• Operation, maintenance, and calibration of a wide variety of equipment, hand, shop, and power tools used in the work.
• Automotive and equipment servicing and preventive maintenance practices.
• Troubleshooting and repair estimation principles and practices.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work, including CAL OSHA rules and standards.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Shop arithmetic.
• Computer applications related to work, including inventory control and fleet record keeping.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Mechanic II, in addition to the above:

• Principles and practices of repair, overhaul, servicing, and preventive maintenance of public safety, gas/electric hybrid, and diesel-powered vehicles
• Techniques, methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the overhaul, servicing, and preventive maintenance of public safety vehicles and equipment.
• Methods, materials, equipment, and tools used in routine welding and fabrication work.

Ability to:

• Diagnose and repair a variety of minor mechanical and electrical problems of gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, and diesel-driven equipment.
• Read and comprehend schematics and fabricate special bodies, parts, and essentials as necessary.
• Locate and diagnose engine and other operating defects; learn to use electronic and mechanical shop diagnostic equipment.
• Make minor repairs of motors, transmissions, differentials, chassis parts, electrical, fuel, ignition, cooling, steering, hydraulic, and air systems, including proper testing and adjustments.
• Accurately estimate time, materials, and supplies necessary to complete repairs.
• Service and perform preventative maintenance and minor repair on a variety of automobiles, trucks, and heavy construction equipment.
• Operate, maintain, and calibrate a variety of hand, power, and shop tools and equipment related to the trade.
• Read, interpret, and understand technical manuals, schematics, diagrams, specifications, and parts inventories.
• Practice safe work habits.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and basic reports of work performed.
• Follow department policies and procedures related to assigned duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Mechanic II, in addition to the above:

• Diagnose and repair a variety of complex mechanical and electrical problems of gasoline, liquid and compressed natural gas, gas/electric hybrid, and diesel-driven vehicles and equipment.
• Read and comprehend schematics and fabricate special bodies, parts, and essentials as necessary.
• Locate and diagnose engine and other operating defects; use electronic and mechanical shop diagnostic equipment.
• Make skilled and complex repairs of motors, transmissions, differentials, chassis parts, electrical, fuel, ignition, cooling, steering, hydraulic, and air systems, including proper testing and adjustments.
• Perform fabrication, welding, and minor body work.

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

Mechanic I-II: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12 th ) grade supplemented by the completion of a mechanical apprenticeship.

Mechanic I: Some experience in the maintenance of various types of light and heavy equipment.

Mechanic II: One (1) year of journey-level experience in the maintenance of various types of light and heavy equipment and vehicles, including fuel injection systems and computer command control.

Licenses and Certifications:

Mechanic I:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license.

Mechanic II:

• Possession of, a valid Class B California driver’s license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, certification to perform repairs on air conditioning units.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard shop setting and use and operate a variety of tools, power tools, equipment, and machinery; to operate a motor vehicle and drive on surface streets ; to identify mechanical issues, to identify and locate parts and repair tools/equipment, to inspect, analyze, and diagnose problems with automobiles, trucks, and a variety of gasoline and diesel powered maintenance and construction equipment; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; color vision to read various dials, gauges, and identify color-coded cables and wires; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. The job involves walking and working on slippery or uneven surfaces. Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees primarily work in the centralized maintenance shop and are exposed to loud noise levels, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, dust, paint fumes, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, grease, oils, solvents, machinery with extremely hot surfaces and/or moving parts and moving objects or other vehicles. Employees may interact with upset staff when trying to diagnose and/or resolve an equipment related problem.

• Members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
• Life insurance - $20,000 coverage.
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
• 12 days sick leave per year.
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
• Flexible benefit program - IRS Section 125 Plan.
• Deferred compensation plan - 457 Plans available.
• City sponsored employee health care clinic - Services include: general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 5/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of Tulare

• 559-684-4204

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