Position: Trades Helper - Automotive

Position Summary:

Performs semiskilled work to assist journeyman Automotive Mechanics in the repair and maintenance of a variety of school vehicles and equipment. Employees in this class perform skilled tasks to assist in mechanical repair and maintenance of automobiles, trucks, buses and equipment. Work is performed under the supervision of mechanics/foreman. A Trades Helper is expected to perform tasks of progressively increasing difficulty within the automotive trade to progress to the level of journeyman mechanic.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists mechanics and performs repair maintenance work on school system vehicles and equipment;
• May conduct vehicle safety and preventive maintenance inspections;
• Carries materials, parts, tools, and supplies for journeyman;
• Assists in the assembly of cooling, fuel, ignition and exhaust systems;
• Assists and inspects, adjusts, repairs and reconditions brakes, differentials, transmissions, front and rear axle assemblies;
• Assists in performing diagnostics and turns electronic controlled gasoline and diesel engines using diagnostic equipment;
• Responds to service and accident calls on disabled and damaged school system vehicles and equipment; makes minor adjustments and repairs, may tow or have the vehicle towed to a school maintenance facility or vendor;
• May perform a variety of welding jobs;
• Maintains a clean, organized and productive work area;
• Assists in maintaining inventory and work order procedures using a computerized system;
• Performs the duties of an Automotive Service Attendant in their absence; and
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications:

• Some familiarity and knowledge of the repair, preventive maintenance practices and tools of the skilled automotive trade;
• Possesses some tools necessary to perform within the skilled automotive trade;
• Some familiarity of the principles, repair and operation of gasoline and diesel engines;
• Some familiarity of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions;
• Ability to make mathematical computations and tabulations;
• Ability to work out-of-doors, coping with varying climate conditions;
• Possess mechanical aptitude; and
• Good physical condition with the ability to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

High school graduate, preferably with some experience as a helper to a skilled journeyman mechanic, supplemented by completion of a recognized apprenticeship in the trade; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certification:

Possession of an appropriate and valid Maryland Motor Vehicle License with a driving record indicating five (5) or fewer current points of which no more than three (3) shall have been accumulated as a result of traffic violations occurring while operating a Board of Education vehicle.  Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class "B" with endorsements "P" (Passenger) and "S" (School Bus) required or the ability to obtain within the probationary period for new employees or within 6 months of obtaining the position for current PGCPS employees; CDL Class "A" with "P" (Passenger) and "S" (School Bus and Air Brake) preferred. Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certifications are strongly encouraged.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Assists in Automotive Service Attendants training.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information:

None.