Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Salary

$43.75 - $48.24 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5332-26

Department

City of Tacoma - CITY WIDE LIST

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

7/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

The City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities are accepting applications for Heavy Equipment Mechanic. Heavy Equipment Mechanics perform skilled journey-level work in the repair, maintenance, overhaul and rebuilding of a wide variety of heavy-duty diesel, hybrid, electric, compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline vehicles, including, but not limited to, construction equipment, specialized equipment and aerial equipment.

This recruitment will be used to fill temporary and permanent Heavy Equipment Mechanic vacant positions as they occur, for a period of one year.

Responsibilities include:

• Inspect, test, diagnose and repair equipments electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulics systems.
• Repair, overhaul, tune and adjust a variety of diesel, gas, and CNG engines, transmissions, pumps and valves of heavy-duty vehicles and power-driven mechanical equipment.
• Perform safety inspections of vehicles and equipment; identify safety hazards and make necessary repairs and adjustments to assure safe operation of vehicles and equipment.
• Perform skilled work as required, involving the major overhaul and rebuilding of a variety of aerial equipment.
• Perform metal fabrication involving gas and electric welding.
• Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Maintain complete and accurate computerized and/or written records of time, materials, parts and work performed; order needed parts and supplies.
• Provide work direction and guidance to assigned workers; assure that work is performed consistent with established standards.
• Work safely and cooperatively with coworkers and the public.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Position demands performing heavy manual labor, including lifting/moving objects weighing up to 75 pounds and working in awkward positions under and around vehicles and equipment.
• Typical heavy maintenance garage which is subject to noise and potentially hazardous materials and solvents.
• May be required to work outdoors and away from shop.

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent

AND Either Option 1 OR Option 2:

1) Four or more years of experience in the repair, overhaul and maintenance of a variety of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy power-driven equipment and one of the following:

• Completion of recognized automotive machinist apprenticeship program, or
• ASE Master Automobile or Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Certification, or
• Graduation from an automotive or truck mechanic vocational program

OR

2) Total of eight or more years of experience in the repair, overhaul and maintenance of a variety of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy equipment.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.
• Valid Washington Class A Commercial Drivers License with appropriate endorsements by the end of probationary period, with maintenance thereafter.
• Employee must furnish their own full complement of hand and pneumatic tools.

Knowledge & Skills

• Health and safety requirements
• Methods, equipment and materials used in the overhaul, repair and maintenance of heavy diesel and gas equipment and vehicles
• Operation and care of internal combustion engines, chassis, parts and replacements
• Repair and maintenance of chassis and body components
• Ignition, electrical and cooling systems, fuel injection systems, ABS brake systems, and heating and air conditioning systems
• Hydraulic, electric and air brakes
• Metal fabrication, welding, painting and body work
• Technical aspects of field of specialty
• Equipment modification and rebuild techniques
• Computer information systems
• Repair, overhaul and maintain heavy gasoline and diesel vehicles and construction equipment
• Operate, service and make repairs on equipment
• Maintain simple records and prepare reports
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Perform heavy manual labor
• Diagnose and analyze problems with vehicles, equipment and specialized equipment
• Use shop tools and testing equipment safely and efficiently
• Weld with gas and electric
• Maintain organized and clean work area
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Understand and follow oral and written directions
• Provide work direction to others

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. Were committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and 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.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you're passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. 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.

Apply

Interested individuals must apply online and meet the minimum qualifications to progress in the examination process.

Applicants who are separated or retired and are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application, to be eligible for review for Veterans Preference points.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their application materials scored by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test for this position. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training. Applicants must pass this evaluation to be placed on the eligible list for hiring consideration.

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to successful completion of a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen. Commercial Driver License holders are subject to random, periodic drug and alcohol testing.

This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between The City of Tacoma and the Local 160. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification; any employee promoted into this position must successfully complete a six-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $43.75 - $48.24

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

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.

• Yes
• No

02

Did you graduate from high school or do you have an equivalent education such as a GED or Home Schooling certification?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have four or more years of work experience in the repair, overhaul and maintenance of a variety of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy power-drive equipment?

• Yes
• No

04

Select one answer below to choose which best matches with your work experience and training as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic.

• Completion of a recognized automotive machinist apprenticeship program
• ASE Master Automobile or Medium/Heavy Truck Technician Certification
• Graduation from an automotive or truck mechanic vocational program
• Total of eight or more years experience in the repair, overhaul and maintenance of a variety of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy power-driven equipment
• None of the above

05

Do you possess a valid Washington State drivers license?

• Yes
• No
• No, but can obtain by the time of appointment.

06

Do you have a valid Washington State CDL?

• Yes
• No, but can obtain CDL
• No and unable to obtain CDL

07

The Eligible List for this position will be used to fill temporary and permanent positions as they occur, for a period of one year. Please check all of the boxes that pertain to the type of employment that you wish to be considered for.

• Temporary positions
• Full time
• Day shift
• Swing shift (afternoons)
• Weekend and holiday shifts
• Permanent positions

08

The Eligible List for this position will be used to fill positions as they occur, for a period of one year. The City operates multiple fleet garages covering a variety of business functions. Please check all of the boxes that pertain to the type of work area you wish to be considered for.

• Tacoma Public Utilities Fleet (Located at 3628 S. 35th Street)
• Tacoma Solid Waste Fleet Shop (Located at 3510 S. Mullen Street)
• Tacoma General Government Shop (Located at 3639 S. Pine Street)

09

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TEST:

Questions #10-14 are the experience and training test that will be used to establish the eligibility list. These questions will be scored by subject matter experts who will not have access to any of your application materials, and will provide scores based solely upon your answers to the questions. Your answers must stand on their own merit. DO NOT RESPOND WITH "SEE RESUME" in lieu of answering this question, as raters will not have access to your resume or application and this will result in a score of 0 points and you will fail the test. Your score on the experience and training test will ONLY reflect your response to the questions asked. Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions #10-14.

• Yes
• No

10

Please list any apprenticeship program, vocational school program, or automotive repair programs that you attended, graduated from and/or received certification in, and your dates of attendance. Please list any additional automotive trainings or certifications that you have achieved. If you do not have any automotive mechanic schooling, respond with "N/A."

11

In detail, describe your work experience in vehicle and equipment repairs and maintenance to include: details on the different types of vehicles, equipment, component models, types and powertrain to include hybrid and/or electric vehicles. If you do not have any experience in this area, please state N/A.

12

Describe your experience with vehicle electrical systems?

13

Describe your experience with hydraulic systems?

14

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

15

Successful applicants for this position must furnish their own full complement of hand and pneumatic tools. If selected for this position, will you be able to meet this requirement by your first day on the job?

• Yes
• No

16

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• Tacoma Training & Education Program (TTEP)
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• Outreach Event
• National Diversity Network
• African American Job Network
• Disability Job Network
• Asian Job Network
• Latino Job Network
• Retirement Job Network
• LGBT Job Network
• Veteran Job Network
• Other

17

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