Salary : $74,912.66 - $93,703.58 Annually
Location : City of Pasadena, CA
Job Type: Full -Time
Job Number: 26-148
Department: Public Works
Division: Building Systems & Fleet Mgmt.
Opening Date: 04/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
This recruitment is open continuous and is subject to close at any time. A first review of applications is scheduled for April 23, 2026. Apply now!The City of Pasadena is looking for a skilled and detailed-oriented Equipment Mechanic III who will provide maintenance assistance to multiple trucks and equipment in the Building Systems & Fleet Management Division of the Public Works Department. This division is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and disposing of the City's fuel-powered fleet, which consists of approximately 1,250 vehicles and other pieces of equipment. This position presents an exciting opportunity for a hard-working, reliable, and dependable professional.
IDEALCANDIDATEThe ideal candidate will have recent experience working on heavy-duty equipment, loaders, street sweepers, trash trucks, dump trucks, boom trucks, sewer trucks, and rescue ambulances. The ideal candidate will also have the necessary electrical diagnostic skills to effectively diagnose and repair computer-controlled engines, transmissions, and CNG controlled systems.
Essential FunctionsThe major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the
- Inspects and diagnoses operating problems in heavy-duty gasoline, CNG and diesel vehicles, and construction equipment.
- Completes preventive maintenance service; determines needed repairs.
- Overhauls and repairs brakes, differentials, universal joints, motors, ignition systems, fuel injection systems, electrical or hydraulic systems in refuse trucks, loaders, bucket trucks, cranes, street sweepers, rescue ambulances, sewer trucks, construction equipment, and other heavy-duty vehicles.
- Interprets electrical circuits and machine drawings of motorized equipment.
- Disassembles motors and mechanical operating equipment and attachments.
- Installs and fits new or reconditioned parts.
- Replaces and adjusts brakes, clutches, ignition, and fuel systems.
- Operates test equipment and power tools.
- May perform acetylene and electric welding.
- Completes records of work done and parts used.
- May oversee work performed by apprentices.
- May perform out of class assignments as required by operational demands.
Qualification GuidelinesCOMPETENCIESThe following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.
- Action & Results Focus - Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
- Attention to Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Learning Agility - Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one's work
- Oral Communication - Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing
- Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE - Four (4) years of recent journey level experience as a mechanic repairing heavy gasoline and diesel vehicles or construction equipment OR
- Successful completion of a state approved 4-year apprentice mechanic program with two (2) years of the journey level experience.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Individuals with six (6) or more years of experience working with heavy-duty pieces of equipment, such as street sweepers, rescue ambulances, front loaders, boom trucks, trash trucks, and hydraulic systems will be deemed most qualified.
- Must possess the diagnostic skills required to effectively diagnose and repair computer-controlled engines, transmissions and CNG controlled systems.
- ASE certification and BIT inspection experience are deemed most desirable.
- Experience working on sanitation vehicles is highly desirable.
SELECTION PROCESSThe selection process will consist of any combination of application evaluation, written exam, oral panel interview, department interview and may be required to complete a brief soft-skills assessment during the selection process. The candidate assessment provides insight into core interpersonal skills, behavioral traits, and preferred work environment-helping us support your success in the role.
VACANCY INFORMATIONThere is currently one full-time vacancy in the Building Systems & Fleet Management Division of the Public Works Department. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill these vacancies and similar vacancies in the future. Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.
Special RequirementsA valid SMOKE certification must be obtained by the end of probation and maintained as a condition of continued employment.
A valid Class C California Driver's License is required at time of appointment.
A Class B license with Airbrake Endorsement must be obtained by the end of probation and maintained as a condition of continued employment.
Must possess necessary hand and power tools required to perform duties of the job.
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage our defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers.
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) and 2.7% at 57 benefit formula (if a safety employee).
Employees who are deemed "Classic" members of CalPERS or a reciprocal system such as the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement System (LACERA) or Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System (LACERS) will receive the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula (if a miscellaneous employee) or 3% at 55 benefit formula (if a safety employee). A CalPERS "Classic" member is a member who previously worked for a California public agency and meets the following criteria:
- First established CalPERS membership or membership in a CalPERS reciprocal agency prior to January 1, 2013,
- And is hired by the City of Pasadena after a break in service of less than six months
- And did not have concurrent (overlapping) service with the other agency.
01
What best describes your years of experience in diagnosing and repairing problems in heavy-duty gasoline, CNG, & diesel vehicles or construction equipment?
- Less than 2 years of experience
- 2-4 years of experience
- 4 - 5 years of experience
- 6 or more years of experience
02
Select all the heavy-duty vehicles or equipment that you are familiar with and have experience diagnosing and repairing.
- Trash Trucks
- Boom Trucks
- Front Loaders
- Bob Cats
- Rescue Ambulances
- Street Sweepers
- Hydraulic Systems
- None
03
Based on your response to question #2, please list the type of diagnostic and repair work you have performed on the heavy-duty vehicles and equipment that you selected.
04
Which of the following best describes your level of California Commercial Driver's License?
- Class A CDL
- Class B CDL with Tanker
- California Commercial License Permit
- None of the above
05
Have you successfully completed a state approved 4-year apprentice mechanic program?
06
Do you have experience with BIT inspections?
07
Are you ASE certified?
08
Do you possess a SMOKE certification?
Required Question