Fleet Maintenance Technician

Website Whatcom Transportation Authority

Public Transportation

First priority given to applications received by Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 9:00pm PST.

Please attach a resume and cover letter to the application. The cover letter will be attached to the same location as the resume. Your cover letter should address why you are interested in this position and what makes you a good fit for this role.

In-person interviews are tentatively scheduled to be held on Monday, October 21 or 22, 2024. Please plan to be available.

COMPENSATION: 2024 Rates

$34.53 to $43.16 full range with additional shift premiums

Due to the increasing quantity and complexity of the workload, WTA has vacancies within our Fleet Maintenance team.

Job Summary:

Under direction from the Fleet Maintenance Manager or Lead Technician, performs preventive maintenance servicing, advanced troubleshooting, and skilled mechanical repairs of diesel, gasoline, propane, hybrid-electric, and fully electric powered vehicles and associated subsystem equipment to the appropriate quality and standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Performs vehicle and equipment preventive maintenance inspections and servicing within the parameters of the WTA Preventive Maintenance Program, established standards, and equipment or component manufacturer’s maintenance service recommendations and procedures.
  • Inspects, adjusts, troubleshoots, and repairs a variety of electrical-mechanical, electrical-hydraulic, and electrical-pneumatic actuated components used in transit vehicle applications.
    Inspects, services, adjusts, and performs diagnostic troubleshooting and repairs to hybrid-electric and high-voltage electrical vehicle systems, sub-components and drivetrain.
  • Repairs or replaces components or integral parts on diesel, diesel-electric, fully electric, propane, and gasoline-powered engines, electronic and hydraulically controlled transmissions, traction motors, and heavy-duty drive trains, antilock brake systems, electrical systems, and fire-suppression systems.
  • Uses computerized diagnostic and testing equipment to determine vehicle system or sub-component faults. Performs repairs and function checks.
  • Assists during vehicle launch by performing minor repairs and adjustments or performing vehicle swaps. Receives operator defect reports, prepares work orders, and communicates vehicle status to Dispatch. Updates vehicle defect report logbooks. Provides data to Maintenance Assistant for input into the fleet management system and equipment historical files.
  • Provides vehicle maintenance, repair, and cost information using both handwritten and computerized work orders. Uses computerized information for research, warranty, and technical data purposes. Assists in tracking recurring equipment malfunctions and recommending corrective action.
  • Uses computerized fleet management system to prepare and complete work orders. Enters repair time information for equipment records and input to vehicle history files.
    In the absence of a Lead, assumes responsibilities of the Lead Fleet Maintenance Technician in accordance with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • In the absence of an on-duty warehouse worker, the Fleet Maintenance Technician uses the computerized inventory system to locate required parts and makes appropriate entries to the inventory system.
  • Provides emergency roadside services, incident/accident response and investigation assistance, performs minor on-scene repairs and assists in vehicle recovery operations.
  • Interacts with other WTA departments and employees, members of the public, contractors and vendors to coordinate servicing and repairs of WTA vehicles and equipment.
  • Participates in capital replacement program by performing acceptance inspections, make ready, make sale and warranty administration. Provides technical assistance to vehicle specification and procurement teams.
  • Maintains a safe, clean and orderly work area.
  • Maintains 100% accountability and serviceability of assigned tools and equipment.
  • Reads and understands MSDS and related Hazardous Communication guidelines.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Works as a team member with other WTA departments and members of the fleet maintenance staff.
  • Assists in maintaining the functional publication library of repair, parts, and service manuals for all vehicles, and subsystems in the WTA inventory.
  • May participate in Hazmat spill response, inspection, or spill clean-up teams.
  • May participate in the training of technicians, operations personnel, or other employees from other WTA departments
  • As Acting Lead, may assign, schedule, and direct the work of other technicians. May coordinate with outside vendors or other agencies as required to perform duties.
  • Participates in inclement weather fleet preparations such as installation and removal of tire chains or other traction devices.
  • Performs other functions as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

  • Heavy-duty vehicle systems operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, to include diesel, gasoline-electric hybrid, and/or fully electric vehicles.
  • Methods, materials, tools, and standard shop practices related to the maintenance and repair of transit vehicles and equipment.
  • Safe working practices, equipment repair shop safety, tool use and lifting equipment safety, and vehicle operation safety. Hazardous material/hazardous waste handling and disposal regulations. MSDS and hazardous communications.

Ability to:

  • Attain familiarity with policies, procedures and appropriate legal requirements governing vehicle maintenance.
  • Understand and use vehicle service, repair, and parts manuals. Conceptualize the work required through written and verbal descriptions and determine what is necessary to complete the required work.
  • Apply independent judgment in determining proper action to ensure work is completed to the appropriate quality and standards.
  • Use effective problem solving and analysis skills, with concentrated attention to detail to prevent service disruptions and significant loss of time and money.
  • Use electronic test equipment, vehicle-lifting equipment and basic- to intermediate-level hand tools.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Work effectively in a team environment with other employees at all levels of the organization in order to achieve WTA goals.
  • Utilize computer equipment in order to input work time, update computerized fleet management systems, and carry out other computer-related tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

  • Work hours vary depending upon shift bidding and assignments. Work assignments involve day or swing shifts, weekends, and five 8-hour shifts.
  • Duties performed are primarily inside the maintenance facility. Some outside work is required, with exposure to all weather types and conditions.
  • Basic-to-intermediate-level tools and test equipment are typically used to perform the tasks required in this position, including heavy-duty shop equipment, pneumatic tools, drill presses, lathes, grinders, vehicle lifting equipment, forklift, and welding and cutting equipment. Hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion systems require the ability to perform maintenance and repairs on high voltage systems, working on rooftop mounted components, and wearing fall arrest system equipment.

Education and Experience:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent – required.
  • Post-high school vocational or technical training – preferred.
  • Three years of experience working as a technician in an automotive, medium to heavy-duty truck or transit equipment maintenance facility – required. NOTE:  Experience may be substituted year-for-year with vocational or technical training.
  • Prior experience troubleshooting and repairing electromechanical, electrical-hydraulic and electrical-pneumatic systems – required.
  • Experience with hybrid-electric and/or fully electric vehicle propulsion systems -preferred.
  • Prior experience in operating computer-based vehicle-component diagnostic software – required.

License or Certificate:

  • Valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire and ability to obtain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with appropriate endorsements within 90 days of hire and maintain valid CDL license throughout duration of employment.
  • Applicants must have an acceptable driving record (in accordance with WTA personnel policy 3.03 “Employment Requirements”) and must submit a five-year driving abstract.
  • Obtain and maintain a valid and current first aid card within 3 months of hire.
  • ASE Certification in automotive, truck, or transit bus preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to perform essential job functions includes, but is not limited to, communicating (hearing, speaking and writing); standing, stooping or bending, all for extended periods of time; walking; climbing stairs and ladders; pushing/pulling; lifting and carrying 50 pounds for a distance up to 10 feet; crawling under vehicles and lifting items weighing up to 15 pounds overhead. Full and complete use of all limbs.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL:

Comply with CDL Core Exam and comply with the minimum requirements of Section 391.41 of the CDL Physical Standards.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

All offers of employment are contingent upon a physical exam to obtain CDL licensing and the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen. Participation in the WTA’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program, including random drug and alcohol testing, is a condition of hire and a requirement of continued employment. This position is classified as safety sensitive and is subject to the FTA & DOT’s regulation guidelines for random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

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