HEAVY DIESEL MECHANIC

Salary: $5,430.99 - $6,601.35 Monthly
Location : 39139 10th Street East, Palmdale, CA
Job Type: 12-month
Job Number: 26/27-07/01
Division: Business Services
Department: Transportation
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 4:00 PM Pacific


Summary
EXTENDED RECRUITMENT THROUGH AUGUST 12, 2026
THIS RECRUITMENT IS TO ESTABLISH AN ELIGIBILITY LIST OF CANDIDATES
WHO HAVE QUALIFIED THROUGH COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION.
THE LIST WILL BE USED TO FILL FUTURE VACANCIES.
DEFINITION
Under the supervision of the Director of Transportation or designee in concert with District-selected experts, when necessary, this position will perform journey-level skilled work in diagnosing, overhauling, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance of district buses, white fleet vehicles, and other automotive equipment.
Representative Duties

1. Performs inspections and diagnoses of mechanical failures and defects; prepares mechanical repair orders.
2. Performs preventive maintenance and safety checks on automotive equipment according to established procedures; ensures proper working conditions of all District Vehicles.
3. Estimates time, material, and labor costs regarding repair and maintenance functions; establishes project completion timelines.
4. Performs all mechanical aspects of all district vehicles and power equipment, including but not limited to performing overhaul, maintenance, servicing, and repair of gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, electric-powered buses, automobiles, trucks, and other mechanical equipment; rebuilds; replaces or overhauls, engines, transmissions, differentials, steering systems, governor injection timing and valve adjustments, carburetors, blowers, alternators, starters, generators, braking systems, clutches, fuel systems, electrical systems, exhaust systems, and other instruments such as odometers, drive cables, mechanical assemblies; performs engine tune-ups and system adjustments; inspects, adjusts, and relines brakes.
5. Aligns wheels; install batteries and wiring (e.g., camera systems, student tracking); change and repair tires; install radios, heaters, mirrors, windshield wipers, and other accessories as needed.
6. Uses electric and gas welding equipment, cutting torch, and shaping tools.
7. Performs road tests and inspects buses/vehicles and other automotive equipment to ensure that malfunctions have been corrected and that equipment is functioning properly.
8. Assures adequate maintenance and repair records are maintained for District vehicles and equipment. Prepares requested reports as needed, including California Highway Patrol and other state/local agency reports.
9. Maintains safety and emission equipment to standards set by the state.
10. Respond to and conduct emergency vehicle repairs, including changing flat tires, mechanical breakdowns, and other maintenance needed, in addition to roadside service as required.
11. Assists in inventories and ordering of parts, materials, and supplies.
12. Cleans the shop, tools, and maintains the work area in proper working order.
13. Secures grounds, gates, vehicles, etc.
14. Performs other related job duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the transportation unit

Click Here to view the complete job description.
Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School Diploma or evidence of equivalent educational proficiency (i.e. GED).

Experience: Four years' experience as a heavy-duty journey-level diesel and gasoline mechanic. Experience with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and propane fuel systems desired.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Valid California Class A or B Commercial driver's license with Air Brake and Passenger endorsements.
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Automobile Certifications (e.g. engine repair/performance, transmission; suspension & steering; brakes; heating and air conditioning; vehicle diesel, etc.); AND
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) School Bus Certifications (e.g. diesel engines; suspension & steering; brakes, drive train, air conditioning systems, etc.)
• Valid welding certification, commonly through the American Welding Society (AWS) desired.

License and ASE certifications in one or more areas for both Automobile and School Bus are required and must be maintained during the course of employment unless otherwise noted. ASE recertifications are required every five (5)years and will be monitored.

Other Requirements:

• Employees in this classification are subject to the Federal Highway Administration Regulations for drug
  and alcohol testing as required by the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
• Ability to be covered under the district's property/liability insurance carrier.

Proof of Education
Completed high school or college-level coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must provide a Foreign Equivalency Certification to satisfy the education requirement for the position. Foreign Equivalency Certification can be obtained for a fee from a professional agency recognized by the

Employment Standards
Application Filing
Applications for this position will be accepted online only during the specified recruitment period. All communication regarding this recruitment will be sent electronically by email.

• ** Required Documents for Attachment to the Application **
  • Proof of High School Diploma or Equivalency (e.g. GED); or higher degree earned (official college transcript to show evidence of degree)
  • Copy of Valid California Class A or B Commercial Driver's License
  • Copy of Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC Form, MCSA-5875)
  • DMV Driving Record (K-4)
  • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Automobile Certification AND Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) School Bus Certification

Examination The examination components consist of a qualifying multiple-choice exam, a performance test, and oral exam. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be required to take the exam and are notified via email communication of the scheduled date, time, and location. A valid picture identification is required prior to admittance.


After the exam procedure concludes for this recruitment, an eligibility list will be established to fill future vacancies. When eligibility lists include open and promotional lists of qualified persons through competitive examination, the promotional list will be used first, unless otherwise stated on this bulletin.
Work Schedule: This position typically works full-time, 8 hours/day; 40 hours/week, and observes a 12-month work calendar.

Salary and Benefits
The salary rate for a new employee is at the first step of the appropriate five-step salary schedule for this position. The probationary period is 130 work days (not counting sick, industrial accident). Upon becoming permanent, a one-step salary advance shall be granted with future annual advances up to the fifth step of the salary schedule. The District provides and contributes to a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, term life insurance) per contract year for each employee and eligible dependents. View the benefit matrix

Holidays and Leaves There are seventeen (17) paid holidays that fall within the work year, pursuant to the District's Collective Bargaining Agreement with California Schools Employees Association Chapter 296 (CSEA). Sick leave shall be granted in the proportion of daily hours worked. Vacation is earned at the prescribed rate as part of compensation, and does not become vested until after completion of the initial probationary period.


Work Environment : Employees in this classification work primarily outside and in a garage environment, varying temperatures and inclement weather; contact with moving parts; exposure to loud noises, exhaust fumes, dust, dirt,and grease. May be required to work in confined spaces, and drive various District vehicles including school buses to conduct work. Exposure to hazardous materials (diesel fuel, oil, coolants, brake fluid, degreaser, cleaning solvents).

Physical Demands : The role of a Heavy Diesel Mechanic is physically strenuous, requiring a high degree of strength,stamina, and manual dexterity. Frequent heavy lifting and carrying up to 75 pounds; standing and walking on hard concrete surfaces and slippery floors; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, pushing/pulling, climbing and balancing using ladders, step stools, or climbing onto/under equipment, vehicles and buses. Safety considerations exist from physical labor, noise extremes, temperature, moving equipment, and other job-related functions assigned to this role.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER In accordance with Federal civil rights law, civil rights regulations and policies, the Palmdale School District, its offices, and employees, are prohibited from discriminating based on age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, marital status, nationality, parental status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity.


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's non-discrimination, sexual harassment and Title IX policies and/or Coordinator contact information, please click the following link:


For further information regarding Palmdale School District's Personnel Sexual Harassment Board Policy, BP 4119.11, please click the following link:
Offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, and life up to the maximum district contribution for eligible employees.


More detailed information regarding benefit package eligibility will be presented at time of employment offer.
01


The following supplemental questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to the Heavy Diesel Mechanic position. The information provided in answer to these questions may be considered in determining whether you will move forward in the recruitment process. Your answers are required for your application to be considered complete. The information that you provide will be evaluated as it stands, and revisions to clarify the information provided are not allowed. Respond honestly and truthfully to all questions. Overstating your skill level is considered false and/or misleading information. Applicants found to have provided false or misleading information of their skills or experience will be disqualified from further processing, or if hired, immediately terminated from employment.NOTE: All work experience and education that is described or included in your response(s) must be reflected in the "Work Experience" and "Education" sections of the application. A résumé or other documentation to convey this information will not be considered in lieu of completing all sections of the application. Providing incomplete responses or answering "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02


EXPERIENCE: Indicate your years of experience as a heavy-duty journey-level diesel and gasoline mechanic.

• No journey-level experience as a diesel and gasoline mechanic
• Less than one year experience
• One year, but less than two years
• Two years, but less than three years
• Three years, but less than four years
• Four years or more

03


REQUIRED EDUCATION: I have attached a copy of my high school diploma, official high school transcripts or high school equivalency (e.g. GED). I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• Yes
• No
• Consider my higher education as indicated in Question 4

04


REQUIRED EDUCATION: In lieu of my high school diploma or equivalency, I have attached my official college transcripts to show the selected degree. I acknowledge that failure to attach the required document for Question 3 or Question 4 may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• Associate Degree
• Bachelor Degree
• Master Degree or higher
• I have met the education requirement by my response to Question 3

05


REQUIRED LICENSE: I have attached a copy of my California Class A or B Driver's License. I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• Yes
• No

06


MEDICAL CERTIFICATE: I have attached a copy of my Medical Examiner's Certificate. I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• Yes
• No

07


DMV RECORD: I have attached a copy of my current DMV K-4 driving record. I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• Yes
• No

08


AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATIONS: Automobile and School Bus ASE Certifications are required. Do you have both certifications?

• Yes
• No

09


With a "Yes" response to Question 8, I understand that I am required to attach a copy of each Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification that I possess. I acknowledge that failure to do so may result in my application being deemed incomplete and disqualified.

• I am not certified and cannot meet this requirement.
• Yes, I have attached copies of my Automotive and School Bus ASE Certifications
• No, I have not attached copies of my Automotive and School Bus ASE Certifications

10


DESIRED OPTIONAL CERTIFICATION: Do you have welding certification from American Welding Society (AWS)? A "Yes" response requires you to attach a copy of the certification to your application.

• No, I do not have a valid Welding Certification
• Yes, I have a valid Welding Certification from AWS

11


CERTFIICATION (check one)

• I certify by submission of this application, that all of my information, responses and statements are true and complete, and if I have made any false statements, it may result in the disqualification of my application or dismissal.
• I acknowledge that failure to provide true and complete information, responses and statements, may result in disqualification. Therefore, I have chosen to withdraw my application from this recruitment.

Required Question