Automotive Mechanic

Los Angeles Community College District • Los Angeles, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs journey-level work in the all-around diagnosis, overhaul, maintenance, and repair of various types of gasoline-, diesel-, and electric-powered automotive equipment. This includes diagnosing causes of equipment malfunction, performing repair work on internal combustion engines, adjusting and repairing other components of automotive equipment, performing maintenance work, troubleshooting vehicle computers and computerized sensors, and safely operating shop equipment. The role also involves maintaining records, managing inventory, estimating costs, making recommendations for outside repairs, test driving vehicles, and maintaining a clean and orderly shop area. May also involve repair of heavy-duty off-road vehicles, auxiliary equipment, and potentially providing work direction to lower-level staff.

Requirements

• Knowledge of types, models, and operation of automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of principles and theories related to automotive mechanics and electrical wiring systems.
• Knowledge of tools, diagnostic instruments, materials, and parts involved in the repair and maintenance of automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and power take-off accessory systems.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance requirements for automotive equipment.
• Knowledge of electric and oxygen acetylene welding.
• Knowledge of safety precautions, practices, and procedures of the trade.
• Knowledge of basic recordkeeping procedures.
• Knowledge of basic operations of computer equipment.
• Skill in the use of tools and instruments of the trade.
• Ability to diagnose and repair electric, electronic, and mechanical malfunctions of a wide range of automotive equipment.
• Ability to adjust and operate automotive shop equipment.
• Ability to use and read precision instruments such as micrometers, dial indicators, and oscilloscopes.
• Ability to read and use manuals and specifications related to automotive equipment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with District staff, students, and outside service contractors.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Ability to road test vehicles.
• Ability to learn the characteristics of new equipment and update technical skills to adapt to changing technology.
• Ability to learn general and specialized software applications.
• An associate degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university with a major in automotive mechanics or a related field AND three years of full-time paid experience in all-around automotive repair of complete power train, electric, and hydraulic systems including work on automobiles, heavy-duty trucks, buses, or off-the-road equipment. One year of the required experience must have been recent and at the journey-level.
• OR Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND completion of a recognized apprenticeship program of at least four years' duration or its equivalent in automotive equipment repair AND one year of recent, full-time, paid, journey-level experience in all-around automotive repair of complete power train, electric, and hydraulic systems including work on automobiles, heavy-duty trucks, buses, or off-the-road equipment.
• OR Graduation from high school or its equivalent AND five years of full-time paid experience in all-around automotive repair of complete power train, electric, and hydraulic systems including work on automobiles, heavy-duty trucks, buses, or off-the-road equipment. One year of the required experience must have been recent and at the journey-level.
• OR Any equivalent combination of A., B., and C. above.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to fifty pounds.
• A valid Class "C" California driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• May perform repair of heavy-duty off road vehicles.
• May perform repair and maintenance on auxiliary equipment such as sprayers, plows, seed planters, and other related equipment.
• May assign, review the work of, and provide training to assigned lower-level staff.

Responsibilities

• Overhauls a variety of gasoline, diesel, and electric-powered automotive equipment, such as automobiles, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks, vans, scooters, motorized farm and garden equipment, utility vehicles, power sweepers, man lifts, and forklifts.
• Diagnoses causes of equipment malfunction.
• Performs repair work on internal combustion engines such as grinding valves, installing piston rings and pistons; fitting bearings and bushings; aligning rods, including dismantling and reassembling engine components.
• Adjusts and repairs other components of automotive equipment such as clutches, transmissions, single and multiple speed differentials, hydraulic loading and accessory systems and controls, mechanical vacuum boosters, hydraulic and air brake systems, suspension systems, steering assemblies, and carburetion, ignition and electrical systems including voltage regulators, generators, and alternators.
• Performs maintenance work on automotive equipment such as tune-ups, oil changes, balancing wheels and tires, and inspecting and repairing mufflers and smog control devices.
• Troubleshoots vehicle computers and computerized sensors and replaces faulty components and parts as needed.
• Safely operates shop equipment such as hand-set grinders, drill and hydraulic presses, hydraulic lifts, engine analyzers, valve and seat refacers, welding equipment, and electrical system testing equipment.
• Performs electric and oxygen acetylene welding.
• Matches tires on dual wheels.
• Orders and stocks parts and supplies needed for repairs.
• Maintains equipment usage, inspection, smog certification, and service and repair records.
• Maintains an inventory of supplies and tools for assigned area/projects.
• Estimates costs for parts and equipment.
• Makes recommendations regarding repair by outside contractors.
• Test drives vehicles on the road.
• Maintains shop area, supplies, and tools in a safe, clean, and orderly condition.
• May perform repair of heavy-duty off road vehicles.
• May perform repair and maintenance on auxiliary equipment such as sprayers, plows, seed planters, and other related equipment.
• May assign, review the work of, and provide training to assigned lower-level staff.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance and vision care plans are provided for employees and their dependents.
• A $50,000 life insurance policy is provided free of charge for each employee.
• New employees receive 12 full-pay days and 88 half-pay days of illness leave.
• 19 paid holidays per year.
• Vacation days accrue annually beginning at 10 days and increasing incrementally to 24 days depending on years of service with the District. Vacation days for management and confidential positions begin at 15, 20, or 24 days.
• Other paid time off includes: bereavement leave, personal necessity leave, court subpoena, and jury duty.
• Employees become members of the Public Employees Retirement System.
• Employees are also covered by Social Security.
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree