Job Description

The mechanics of the Iowa Department of Transportation are vital to keeping our fleet of vehicles and equipment operational to ensure the efficiency and safety of the traveling Iowa public! As a mechanic, you’ll put your skills and expertise to good use while fulfilling our Mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation. In every daily task and interaction, you will contribute to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception alongside your teammates. The Iowa Department of Transportation has a wide variety of equipment that you will have the opportunity to work on and each day will be different!

While a CDL permit is required upon hire, you must have Class A and endorsements / restrictions on your CDL within 5 months following your hire date. CDL Training for Iowa Department of Transportation employees is provided! Entry Level Driver Training is available if you do not already possess Class A and endorsements / restrictions on your CDL for positions that require it. Those eligible will receive both hands-on Behind-the-Wheel Range and Road training, with web-based Theory training, to fulfill required state and federal regulations.

Location: Grimes Maintenance Garage - Within five (5) months, employees are required to reside within 45 minutes driving time, during normal conditions, from assigned work location.

Shift: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Hours may vary and are subject to be on call 24 hours a day during emergency and / or weather conditions. Some overnight travel may be required.

Here are the Iowa Department of Transportation, we’re committed to your growth, professionally and personally. In effort help to develop our mechanics, these positions are a part of the Horizontal Career Path program! Our Horizontal Career Path program dedicates training time to the skills you’ll need to be successful at the Iowa Department of Transportation. The program is focused on providing specific trainings in operations, technical and personal skills. Some of the many topics covered will include inventory management, computer diagnostics, welding and critical thinking. Over three years, you will complete three steps and receive a pay increase each year in addition to annual increases related to your performance evaluation!

As a mechanic, your daily tasks will center around:

performing diagnostics on equipment and associated systems to identify and make needed repairs on items such as: hydraulic systems including valves, pumps, cylinders
overhauling components on gasoline and diesel equipment
completing repair work and preventative maintenance on a large variety of equipment
analyzing, diagnosing, and determining necessary repairs on computer-controlled systems
fabricating and welding skills
ordering and maintains shop inventory
operating computer systems and using related software applications
maintaining electronic files related to repairs
setting priorities to ensure the most critical repairs are handled first and coordinates with supervisor
completing emergency equipment repairs and works in adverse weather conditions
assisting maintenance with roadway projects including snow and ice removal as needed

While you keep our roadways safe, we want to share what we offer YOU as a State of Iowa employee:

Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2024 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.

- Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.

Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

If getting to work hands on with a variety of equipment is your passion, we supply all the tools. You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply now!

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

Reasonable accommodation such as: interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment / devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

Three years of full-time work experience in automotive or heavy equipment mechanic work.

A total of three years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where 30 semester hours of post-high-school education in automotive or heavy equipment mechanics equals one year of full-time experience.

Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Mechanic Helper.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).

Additional Qualification Requirements

Positions in this job class in the Department of Public Defense – Military Division must possess at the time of hire, or be able to obtain within six (6) months of hire, a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with air brake endorsements.

All of the following apply to Department of Transportation positions only: All of the following apply to Department of Transportation positions only:

Positions in this class require possession of a valid Commercial Learner's Permit upon hire.
Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, a valid Commercial Driver's License with the required endorsements and applicable restrictions must be obtained and subsequently maintained to continue employment.
In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 40 and 382), positions in this job class require a preemployment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer's random drug and alcohol testing program and will be subject to the regulations regarding the Federal drug and alcohol testing program.
Prior to starting employment, all persons are required to have a post offer, pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties assigned.
Employees must be able to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.
Employees must respond to emergency situations as required.
Employees must have knowledge of winter maintenance operations such as anti-icing and deicing principles, snow and ice principles, and the effects of de-icing equipment on vehicles. They must also have skill in calibrating and maintaining electronic and hydraulic controls to ensure proper amounts of materials are applied to the roadway.
Employees must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.

Iowa Department of Transportation

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