Mech Vehicle S10 – Grounds Vehicle Mechanic

Cornell University•Ithaca, MI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grounds Vehicle Mechanic supports Grounds operations by performing skilled diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, inspections, fabrication, and preventive maintenance on a wide range of commercial landscape, construction, snow removal, and grounds-related vehicles and equipment. This includes tractors, loaders, large commercial diesel trucks, plow and salting equipment, lawn maintenance equipment, small power equipment, hand tools, and related shop equipment. The position performs shop-based repairs and road calls as needed to keep equipment safe, reliable, and available for daily operations, seasonal needs, special projects, and emergency response. The position maintains accurate service, inspection, labor, and materials records; assists with preventive maintenance scheduling; supports procurement, inventory, storage, and organization of repair parts, tools, supplies, and equipment; and helps maintain a safe, clean, and efficient shop environment. The position may operate grounds, construction, and snow removal equipment as backup support, assist with staff training on proper equipment use and operator maintenance, serve as backup to the lead mechanic, and promptly report unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, vehicles, or facilities. This position is subject to 24/7 call-in for emergencies and may require extended hours, including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet seasonal operational needs. Work may occur in weather extremes and may involve working underneath vehicles and equipment, on lifts, in confined spaces, from ladders, in noisy environments, and around gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Minimum of five years of experience repairing and maintaining a broad range of grounds, landscape maintenance, construction, and snow removal equipment.
Equipment experience should include tractors, turf equipment, mowers, aerifiers, hydro-seeders, sprayers, edgers, vacuum equipment, wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators, sewer rodders, compressors, pickup trucks, large diesel trucks with air brakes, asphalt equipment, and related equipment.
CDL Class B with air brake endorsement required. Truck/trailer restriction acceptable, if applicable to operational requirements.
Must have and maintain a valid U.S. driver’s license and may be required to operate a personal or Cornell-owned vehicle to travel to and from job sites.
Must be OBD II certified.
NYS Inspection Certificate for light- and heavy-duty vehicles required.
Must pass a pre-employment drug test and be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Experience operating snow removal equipment, including 4 ft. to 11 ft. hydraulic plows, snow boxes, salt spreaders, and snow blowers.
Experience repairing and maintaining 2-cycle and 4-cycle fractional-horsepower gasoline engines.
Experience with stainless steel, aluminum, and cast welding.
Ability to analyze complex mechanical, electrical, fuel, and power/transmission delivery system failures and perform appropriate repairs.
Ability to make repairs and adjustments in accordance with diagrams, sketches, operation manuals, and manufacturer specifications.
Ability to use welding, burning, and brazing equipment to complete repairs and fabrication work.
Minimum of two years of leadership experience.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and schedule work.
Ability to write maintenance reports, communicate effectively in writing, understand and follow oral instructions, and communicate clearly with supervisors, coworkers, and equipment operators.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree in Auto Mechanics or additional technical training school course work desirable.

Responsibilities

Perform skilled diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, inspections, fabrication, and preventive maintenance on a wide range of commercial landscape, construction, snow removal, and grounds-related vehicles and equipment.
Perform shop-based repairs and road calls as needed.
Maintain accurate service, inspection, labor, and materials records.
Assist with preventive maintenance scheduling.
Support procurement, inventory, storage, and organization of repair parts, tools, supplies, and equipment.
Help maintain a safe, clean, and efficient shop environment.
Operate grounds, construction, and snow removal equipment as backup support.
Assist with staff training on proper equipment use and operator maintenance.
Serve as backup to the lead mechanic.
Promptly report unsafe conditions or damage to campus landscape, equipment, vehicles, or facilities.