Apprentice Auto Mechanic Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $75,708.00 Annually
Location : Future vacancies with immediate vacancy in Hilo, HI
Job Type: Permanent & Temporary Positions
Job Number: 2026-00108
Department: Various
Opening Date: 07/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Duties Summary
Performs mechanical repairs and overhauls on a variety of gasoline and diesel driven automotive vehicles and equipment, including small construction equipment; and performs other related duties as required.
There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Mass Transit Agency - Transit Vehicle Maintenance Support Division in Hilo.
Special Working Conditions: May work island-wide in a vehicle, in outdoor conditions and in noisy environments. Must be flexible and able to work various shifts including weekends. Must be available to respond in emergencies within 30 minutes to the baseyard.
Working Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
This Automotive Mechanic, BC-10 position is a career ladder position. The next level in the series is Transit Vehicle Mechanic I, BC-11, $6,539/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualifications for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.
The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.
Examples of Duties

• Diagnoses engine knocks, noises, vibrations, or mechanical failures.
• Uses scanner to diagnose and to verify that engine is running in accordance to operating specifications; removes, repairs, overhauls, installs, inspects, and tests gasoline and diesel fuel engines.
• Adjusts camshaft and ignition times; checks connecting rods and main bearing clearances.
• Replaces radiators, hoses, power steering pumps, carburetors, fuel injectors, air compressors, generators, and alternators; replaces belts and starters.
• Inspects, repairs, adjusts, or replaces defective mechanical systems; repairs, maintains, and overhauls major systems including brakes, transmissions, differentials, and front and rear suspensions; overhauls steering mechanisms and drive shafts.
• Determines needed repair parts; road tests vehicles and equipment.
• Performs safety and Department of Transportation inspections as assigned.
• Operates shop equipment such as valve grinders, boring bars, vacuum gauges, voltage and regulator testers, wheel balancers, hoists, drill presses, wheel pullers, lathes, jacks air tools, scopes, dwell meters, timing lights, and various hand tools and other diagnostic equipment.
• Repairs and overhauls tools and equipment such as mowers, pumps, chain saws, air compressors, generators, sprayers, stripers, hydraulic lifts, and construction tools such as jackhammers and busters.
• May perform oxyacetylene and electric welding in connection with repair work.
• May straighten grills, door panels, hood cab bodies and other parts; may buff, sand, and paint bodies and fenders.
• Maintains operational records.
• May assist in the maintenance and record keeping of the inventory for all parts, tools, and equipment in the shop.
• May operate equipment on relief assignments.
• May assign tasks to and work with other mechanics, helpers, apprentices, and others.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
Training and Experience:
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• completion of high school, and
• successful completion of an apprenticeship training program, or
• four (4) years of experience repairing automotive equipment under a journey level mechanic.

License/Certificate Requirement:

• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i Driver License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing (you will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire), and
• possession of a good driving record certified by a traffic abstract confirming no DUI convictions, license revocations, or suspensions for three (3) years preceding and no moving violations for one (1) year preceding. A current traffic abstract is valid for 30 days from date of issuance by the district court. (You will be required to submit your current traffic abstract at time of the job interview).

Substitution of education for required experience: An Associates degree from an accredited college or university in Automotive Mechanics or Diesel Mechanics may be substituted for one (1) year of the required automotive repair experience. (Scan and attach your official college transcript to be credited for the substitution of experience).
Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official credential evaluation report to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official credential evaluation report to your application.)
Notes:

• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i Commercial Driver License (Class A or B) with the appropriate endorsements is required prior to completion of probation (The current vacancy with the Mass Transit Agency requires a valid State of Hawai'i Commercial Driver License (Class B) with P endorsement prior to completion of probation.), and
• possession of a current Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate is required prior to appointment.

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.
Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.
Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.
Knowledge of: theory and principles of the internal combustion engine; principles of electricity as applied to the electrical systems of automotive equipment; uses of equipment, tools, and materials used in the repair, overhaul, maintenance, inspection, and testing of automotive vehicles and equipment and their specialized mechanical, electrical, or electronic units; and occupational hazards and safety practices of the trade.
Ability to: diagnose, adjust, and repair mechanical defects in gasoline and diesel fuel driven automotive vehicles and equipment; learn the maintenance and repair of non-automotive equipment such as air compressors, sprayers, stripers, generators, pumps, power tools, and hydraulic lifts; perform welding and simple body and fender repair; evaluate and perform safety check inspections in compliance with State Department of Transportation guidelines; read and interpret various manufacturers' manuals in performing work; read and interpret work from rough sketches, schematics, or blueprints; estimate materials, parts, time, and labor necessary to perform a job; understand and follow oral and written instructions; operate automotive vehicles and equipment and conduct road tests; maintain good working relationships with others; and handle weights and loads.
Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Effort Grouping: Heavy
Benefits of County Employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire - up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.
Supplemental Information
Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.
PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.
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APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
E-mail:
Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 working days.
• Sick Leave: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire. 14 hours are earned after a full month of service, which equals to 21 days per year, with no limitation on the amount of sick leave that may be accumulated.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General El