Mechanic

Salary : $73,403.20 - $92,872.00 Annually
Location : On-site at Champaign Public Works Department, IL
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 10/16/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: AFSCME


Position Overview
Starting Salary: The starting salary is $35.2998 per hour.

Benefits : Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; health, dental, vision and life insurance; 11 paid holidays per year; pension under IMRF and more. Visit champaignil.gov/hr/salaries-and-benefits/ and select Bargaining Units: AFSCME to learn more
Location: Champaign, IL
Work Arrangement: On-site
Are you looking for a Mechanic role where your expertise keeps essential City of Champaign vehicles and equipment running safely and reliably for the community? This position offers hands-on, mission-critical work that supports everything from emergency response to public works operations, ensuring the machinery our residents depend on is ready when it matters most.

Job Responsibilities
As a Mechanic, you'll play a vital role in keeping the City's fleet of trucks, snow equipment, emergency vehicles, and heavy machinery in peak operating condition. Much of your work will focus on diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing diesel engines and the systems that support them. Your work directly supports community services by ensuring equipment is safe, reliable, and ready for use during daily operations and critical events. Due to the essential nature of this work, the position may require working up to 16-hour shifts and responding at all hours with little or no advance notice during emergencies or weather related events.


Your work could include:

• Diagnosing and repairing complex mechanical issues on heavy duty vehicles, construction equipment, and fire apparatus.
• Performing preventive maintenance.
• Maintaining the essential tools and equipment that power City services.
• Maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing electrical & hydraulic systems.
• Working with the drivetrain, braking systems, and suspension systems.
• Participating in Snow/Ice and other emergency response operations.

Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Required Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a high school diploma or equivalent. Completed coursework without a diploma will be considered.
• Verifiable progressively responsible professional experience in diesel engine maintenance and repair work.
• A combination of training and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Ability to perform essential functions that require physical agility as noted in the job description, with or without accommodation.
• Current, valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within an approved timeframe:
  • Class B Commercial Driver's License without air brakes restriction and with tanker endorsement.
  • Section 609 Technician certification from the Environmental Protection Agency.
  • Forklift certification.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to first day of work, a complete set of mechanic's hand tools necessary to perform essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a two (2) year training program in automotive, light truck, or heavy-duty truck maintenance and repair from an accredited trade or vocational school.
• Satisfactory completion of a qualifying co-op or apprenticeship program.
• National Institute for Automotive Services Excellence (ASE) Car or Truck or other equivalent relevant manufacturer specific certifications.
• Experience in a Fleet environment.
• Heavy duty (Class 7 or 8) and/or diesel truck maintenance experience.
• Possession of Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification that includes National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
• Experience with welding and metal repair and the use of cutting tools.
• Experience with upfitting and installation of aftermarket equipment.

Drug screening, driving record review, criminal background check, and ongoing random drug testing will be required. A valid Illinois driver's license is required on Day One because this role involves driving between City facilities to service fleet vehicles and equipment, as well as operating and responding with City vehicles during snow, ice, and other emergency response operations. A City vehicle will be available; personal vehicle ownership is not required. Candidates must maintain a driving record that meets City standards.
Other Information

Contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaign's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the city's mission and values at
This position is covered under the City of Champaign American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nation-wide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The City of Champaign pays up to $606.10 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $606.10 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2026/2027 plan year, AFSCME employees contribute 1.7719% of salary towards employee only health care. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee's last day of work at the City.

Health Insurance Premiums PPO (2026-27 Plan Year)

Type of Coverage

City Pays (per month)

Employee Pays (per month)

Employee Only

$606.10 + City share of premium above $606.10

1.7719% of salary

Spouse

$644.00

$644.00

Children (one or more)

$399.50

$399.50

Family (spouse and children)

$690.50

$690.50

DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE

Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).


The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.


Dental Premiums

Type of Coverage

Low Monthly Premium

High Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$25.54

$ 44.50

Employee/Spouse

$52.57

$ 91.60

Employee/Children

$60.01

$102.82

Family

$95.76

$163.08

Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.

Vision Premiums

Type of Coverage

Monthly Premium

Employee Only

$ 7.34

Employee/One Dependent

$13.94

Family

$20.48

LIFE INSURANCE

The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

• Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
• Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
• Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
  • Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
  • Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.

SICK LEAVE

Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month), subject to labor contract provisions.

VACATION

Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be

approved by the employee's supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time.


Vacation accrual rates and maximum accumulations are:

Years of Service

Biweekly Accrual/Year

Max Accumulation

Through the 4th year

4.00 hours/13 days

200 hours/25 days

Beginning 5th year

4.15 hours/13.5 days

220 hours/27.5 days

Beginning 6th year

4.62 hours/15 days

240 hours/30 days

Beginning 7th year

5.08 hours/16.5 days

260 hours/32.5 days

Beginning 8th year

5.54 hours/18 days

280 hours/35 days

Beginning 12th year

6.00 hours/19.5 days

312 hours/39 days

Beginning 15th year

6.15 hours/20 days

312 hours/39 days

Beginning 20th year

6.77 hours/22 days

320 hours/40 days

Beginning 25th year

7.69 hours/25 days

400 hours/50 days

PERSONAL LEAVE

At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours). Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.


Date of Hire

Personal Leave Credits

7/1 - 10/31

24 hours

11/1 - 2/29

16 hours

3/1 - 6/30

8 hours

HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Employees may be required to work on holiday(s). Those employees receive additional compensation or time off.

PENSION

Illinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2026,

the City contributes 7.97 percent of eligible employee's salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions.


Per IMRF Guidelines, all "unused, unpaid sick leave" goes towards IMRF service credit for employees who retire from the City and whose effective date of their pension is within 60 days of their retirement. You will earn one month of service credit for every 20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave at the time of retirement. Employees with 1-20 days of unused, unpaid sick leave receive one (1) month of additional service credit, employees with 21-40 days of unused, unpaid sick leave will receive two (2) months, etc. If you have any questions regarding this, you can reach out to the Human Resources Department or IMRF directly.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)

A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for AFSCME employees. AFSCME employees participate in the plan at separation or retirement of employment by contributing a portion of sick, vacation, and comp time leave balances. Threshold leave balance amounts are applicable. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.

LONGEVITY PAY

Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate, as follows:


Years of Service

Longevity Rate

5 years

2.5 percent

10 years

5.0 percent

15 years

7.5 percent

20 years

10.0 percent

25 years

12.5 percent

DEFFERED COMPENSATION PLAN

The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services View phone number on click.appcast.io) or Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT

The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $2,500 to AFSCME employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign (or Champaign County for METCAD employees). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department. NOTE: not all Champaign addresses are within the municipal limits of the City of Champaign. Applicants for the Residency Incentive may check whether an address is within the city limits using the Maps function on the City of Champaign's website under the IT Department.

UNION DUES

The AFSCME union establishes regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union. Dues are currently $60.18.

CONTRACT

View the current American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit contract at
01


Please select the option below that best describes your educational/training background:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completed coursework but no high school diploma or equivalent certificate
• Completion of a two (2) year training program in automotive, light truck, or heavy-duty truck maintenance and repair from an accredited Trade or Vocational School
• Completion of a qualifying Co-op or Apprenticeship program in a related field

02


If you indicated completed coursework but no high school diploma or equivalent in question #1 above, describe the coursework you have completed toward a high school diploma or equivalent. Please be sure to include sufficient detail such as credits, course titles, educational institution, etc. so we may accurately assess your educational background.
03


If you indicated Specialized Trade School, Co-op program, or Apprenticeship program in question #1 above, please describe. Be sure to include the School/Program name, location, length, and area of study.
04


Some of the job duties of this position include the items listed below. Please select the ones in which you have professional work experience diagnosing and repairing diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. Check all that apply.

• Engines
• Electrical systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Electronic/computer systems
• Brake systems
• Air conditioning systems
• Rear ends
• None of the above

05


Briefly describe your experience in the areas selected in the above question. Enter N/A if you selected "None of the above."
06


Some of the types of diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles and equipment this position will work on are listed below. Please select the ones in which you have professional work experience. Select all that apply.

• Dump trucks
• Front-end loaders
• Motor graders
• Asphalt trucks
• Fire apparatus
• None of the above

07


Briefly describe your experience working in a Fleet environment. Enter N/A if you selected "None of the above."
08


Do you have the physical ability to perform the duties of the job, including bending, stooping, climbing ladders, and the ability to lift 75 lbs., with or without accommodation?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you possess a current, valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess or are you able to obtain within an approved timeframe, a class B Illinois commercial driver's license (CDL) without air brake restriction and with tanker endorsement?

• Yes
• No

11


Do you possess or are you able to obtain within an approved timeframe Section 609 Technician certification from the Environmental Protection Agency?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you possess or are you able to obtain within an approved timeframe Forklift certification?

• Yes
• No

13


Do you possess or are you able to obtain by first day of employment a complete set of mechanic's hand tools?

• Yes
• No

14


Are you available to work up to 16-hour shifts, as needed to respond to snow and ice events or other Public Works emergencies?

• Yes
• No

15


Are you able to respond to after-hours emergency requests for vehicle/equipment maintenance repairs?

• Yes
• No

16


Please select all areas in which you have earned Automotive Services Excellence certification. Check all that apply. (You may be required to provide proof of certification as a condition of employment).

• Automobile / Light Truck - Engine Repair
• Automobile / Light Truck - Automatic Transmission / Transaxle
• Automobile / Light Truck - Manual Drive Train and Axles
• Automobile / Light Truck - Suspension and Steering
• Automobile / Light Truck - Brakes
• Automobile / Light Truck - Electrical / Electronic Systems
• Automobile / Light Truck - Heating and Air Conditioning
• Automobile / Light Truck - Engine Performance
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Gasoline Engines
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Diesel Engines
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Drive Train
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Brakes
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Suspension and Steering
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Electrical / Electronic Systems
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• Medium / Heavy Truck - Preventative Maintenance Inspection

17


Do you have any other manufacturer specific Medium/Heavy Truck certifications? If so, please list them.
18


Please describe your experience with heavy duty (Class 7 or 8) and/or diesel truck maintenance. If you have no experience in this area, enter N/A.
19


Check all areas in which you have an Emergency Vehicle Technician certification in the Fire Apparatus Series. Check all that apply. (You may be required to provide proof of certification as a condition of employment.)

• F1 Maintenance, Inspection, and Testing of Fire Apparatus
• F2 Design and Performance Standards of Fire Apparatus
• F3 Fire Pumps and Accessories
• F4 Fire Apparatus Electrical Systems
• F5 Aerial Fire Apparatus
• F6 Allison Automatic Transmissions
• FA4 Advanced Electrical Systems
• F7 Fire Apparatus Foam Systems
• F8 Fire Apparatus Hydraulic System
• GL Ground Ladder Testing
• DO1 Driver Operator Inspection

20


Please describe your experience with welding and metal repair and the use of cutting tools. If you have no experience in this area enter N/A.
21


Please describe your experience with upfitting/installing aftermarket equipment. If you have no experience in this area enter N/A.
Required Question