Fire & Marine Diesel Mechanic

Fire & Marine Diesel Mechanic

Salary

$110,406.40 Annually

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5335-26

Department

Fire

Division

Fire

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

7/28/2026 12:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The Tacoma Fire Department is seeking a skilled and experienced Fire & Marine Equipment Diesel Mechanic join our team. Under the direction of the Fire and Marine Shop Supervisor, you will play a crucial role in community safety by ensuring all equipment is maintained to the highest operational and safety standards. The classification of Fire & Marine Diesel Mechanic is classified and represented by IAM&AW Local 160. In this role, you will be expected to diagnose problems, repair, overhaul, and maintain a variety of fire department equipment and vehicles, including fireboats. If you are passionate about using your skills to make a difference in our community, apply today and become a part of our team!

Key Responsibilities

• Repair, overhaul, and perform preventive maintenance on fire department vehicles, fireboats, and specialized emergency equipment.
• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, air brake, and fire pump systems, including diesel and gasoline engines, transmissions, and drivetrains.
• Conduct safety inspections, identify operational hazards, and complete repairs to ensure equipment meets safety and performance standards.
• Fabricate and rebuild parts using welding, machining, and body repair techniques; operate diagnostic equipment, hand and power tools, and CDL Class B vehicles.
• Maintain repair records, order parts and supplies, respond to emergency field service calls, and provide guidance to assigned staff.

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent

AND

Experience in the overhaul and maintenance of fire apparatus, diesel vehicles, fireboats OR light duty vehicles in a full service repair shop as ONE of the following:

• Four (4) years as a journey level mechanic
• Five (5) years combined experience as an apprentice/journey level mechanic
• Six (6) years as a City of Tacoma Vehicle and Equipment Shop Attendant (VESA)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid Washington Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Class "B" Endorsement at time of appointment or within nine (9) months of appointment into the classification, with maintenance thereafter.

DESIRABLE

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and/or Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) certification

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE:

• Methods, tools, equipment and materials used in the overhaul, repair and maintenance of fire department equipment and vehicles.
• Operate and care of internal combustion engines, chassis, parts and replacements.
• Air, brake, electrical and hydraulic systems.
• Equipment modification and rebuild techniques.
• Metal fabrication, welding and body work.
• Ignition, cooling systems and fuel injection systems.
• Safety requirements of various types of vehicles and equipment.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Technical aspects of field of specialty.
• Personal computer operation.

SKILLS:

• Repair, overhaul, maintain and operate a variety of fire department equipment and vehicles.
• Use shop tools and testing equipment safely and efficiently.
• Perform metal fabrication, welding and body work.
• Perform safety inspections of vehicles and equipment.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain records and prepare reports.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Perform heavy manual labor.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Plan and organize work.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Provide work direction to others.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Maintain organized and clean work area.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $53.08

Annual Salary: $$110,406.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The Department

Formed in 1880, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) has a long history and proud tradition of service to the greater Tacoma community. From volunteer bucket brigades and horse-drawn wagons to modern apparatus and service methods, TFD continues to evolve as a progressive and responsive public safety organization.

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacomas geographic area. Downtowns Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and Americas Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Application Process:

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for veterans preference points, please attach a copy of your DD214 to your application.

Get Assistance:

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration. Please indicate "Yes" to show that you have read and understand these instructions.

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a high school graduate or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Please select the boxes below that apply to your experience with light duty vehicles in a full-service repair shop.

• Four years as a journey level mechanic
• Five years combined experience as an apprentice/journey level mechanic
• Six years as a City of Tacoma Vehicle and Equipment Shop Attendant (VESA)
• None of the above

04

Do you have experience in the overhaul and maintenance of fire apparatus, diesel vehicles, fireboats, or light duty vehicles in a full-service repair shop?

• Yes
• No

05

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants will be required to respond to written questions outlining their experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to Supplemental Questions #6 to #13 reviewed and scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test. These questions will be scored based on the information provided. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities. DO NOT respond with 'see resume' in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score. Providing false information will result in disqualification. Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during this process, please contact Human Resources at (253) 591-5400. Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions #6-13.

• Yes
• No

06

Please select which certifications you have below (if any):

• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
• Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT)
• None
• Other

07

If you selected "Other" above, please list which certifications you hold below:

08

Please provide a detailed description of your work experience as a diesel mechanic. List the equipment type, your primary responsibilities, employers, dates of employment and the types of vehicles you worked on, e.g., passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks, busses, etc. If you do not have any relevant experience in this area, respond with "N/A".

09

Please describe your experience in the diagnosis and repair of electrical systems of vehicles. If you do not have any relevant experience in this area, respond with "N/A".

10

What type(s) of testing or diagnostic equipment and tools have you used in the automotive repair trade? If you do not have any relevant experience in this area, respond with "N/A".

11

One of the Citys Guiding Principles is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

12

Please select the areas that you have experience with below (check all that apply):

• Diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines
• Gas and Diesel engines
• Brake Systems
• Transmissions
• Drive shafts
• Use of hydraulic oil presses; gauges; and gear or bearing pullers
• None of the above

13

Please select the areas that you have experience with below (check all that apply):

• Synchronized dual engines
• High pressure rotary and centrifugal pumps
• Turret controls
• Nozzles
• Air compressors
• None of the above

14

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Internet search
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• Union job posting
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• TTEP (Tacoma Training and Education Program)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• NWPPA
• Outreach Event

15

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer City of Tacoma

Address Human Resources Department

747 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone 253-591-5400

Website http://www.tacoma.gov