Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Introduction

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring two (2) Mechanics to maintain, troubleshoot, repair and train on specialized forestry and fire suppression equipment for the Division of Forestry .

Employees in these roles get to determine the priority and methods to ensure Forestry teams have the equipment they need to respond to wildland fire and other critical incidents. These staff enjoy flexible work schedules such as adjusted start/end times, working four 10-hour days a week, etc.

These positions will be headquartered in Wausaukee and Wautoma, WI.

This recruitment may also be used to fill future similar positions .

Find a meaningful and rewarding career with the DNR! The DNR excels at protecting and managing natural resources while supporting the economy and the well-being of our residents. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a talented workforce representative of the people of Wisconsin we serve. We offer training and career growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and are searching for people with diverse backgrounds to join our dynamic and team-oriented environment.

Position Summary

This position primarily performs mechanical and electrical repair of all forestry trucks and equipment with fabrication assembly as required, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and training on specialized forestry fire fighting equipment.

These positions primarily research, develop, fabricate, and assemble new forest firefighting equipment and provide preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and training on specialized forestry and fire equipment.

The positions are expected to be available to assist other teams statewide in the capacity of a mechanical technician. The job holder travels frequently within the geographic scope of the assigned station, as well as occasional statewide travel. Travel outside the state may be required to support Wisconsin equipment on national incidents. During the fire season there are weekend duties as requested by Area Forestry Leaders.

For more information, please see the Position Description .

Salary Information

Starting pay for this position is $29.15 per hour (or $60,632 annually), in addition to excellent benefits. This position is included in the classification Forestry Technician Advanced within Pay Schedule/Range 06-14.

The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with:

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $45/month for single and $111/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program , offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.
• For more info, see our Total Rewards Calculator.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Pay on appointment will follow the provisions of the State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan.

Job Details

Background Checks : The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

Eligibility to work in United States : The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

Probation: A 12-month probationary period may be required.

Reference Check: References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process.

Driver License Requirement: The selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment and meet the requirements of the State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy. The candidate must be at least 18 years of age with 2 years driving experience. Candidates with three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years, or who have an OWI/DUE violation within the past year are not eligible to drive state vehicles.

CDL Requirement : Candidate may be required to obtain and maintain a Wisconsin Class A CDL within six (6) months of employment to operate specialized heavy duty fire equipment. Candidates will be required to undergo testing for controlled substances, per U.S. DOT s382.301. Current holders of a CDL are subject to pre-employment and random Drug and Alcohol Testing under Federal Regulations.

Physical/ Environmental Factors: For physical and environmental requirements of the job, please see the position description linked in the Position Summary.

Travel: Limited travel as required to other mechanical shops across the state and in the field, as needed. Occasional out of state travel may be required

Qualifications

Your resume is a very important part of your application and is used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here . Please describe your experience as it relates to each of the below qualifications in your resume and/ or optional letter of qualifications to be considered for this position:

Required qualifications for this position include:

Work experience and/or formal training/coursework in fabrication or as a mechanic performing any of the following:

Fabrication , which could include any of the following:

• Fabricating parts for automobiles or trucks (e.g., cutting or stamping out parts, and welding or assembling them together)
• Fabricating sheet metal (e.g., for HVAC purposes)
• Fabricating heavy iron (e.g., welding truck frames, structural steel, etc.)
• Fabrication-related experience as a machinist using mills, lathes or precision grinders

OR

Mechanics , which could include any of the following:

• Work experience as an auto mechanic diagnosing and repairing problems in automobiles or light trucks
• Work experience as a small engine mechanic repairing and maintaining small engines
• Work experience as a heavy truck mechanic, performing work on chassis, diesel engines, drive lines, or brakes
• Installing and repairing hydraulic pumps, motors, controls, or related pieces on motorized equipment
• Work experience as a millwright or industrial mechanic repairing, installing, dismantling or reassembling machinery.

In addition, preferred qualifications include any of the following criteria:

• Work experience in both Fabrication and Mechanics (Please make sure to describe and provide examples within your resume and/or letter of qualifications for EACH of the qualifications above that you meet.)
• Work experience using blueprints or schematics to make, assemble, or finish products

How To Apply

If viewing this posting on an external site (such as indeed.com, etc.), please visit Wisc.Jobs and search for this Job ID: 21892 to complete your application for this posting. Current state employees, including those with Career Executive status, must apply through STAR ESS. Former permanent classified state employees must apply through Wisc.Jobs.

The steps to apply online are quick and easy! Your resume and optional letter of qualifications will be used during our evaluation process to determine your eligibility for further consideration. Submitted materials will be evaluated by a panel of job experts and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. It is critically important that your application materials clearly describe your experience related to the stated job qualifications. Please review our helpful tips for developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included. References are not required at the time of application but will be required upon successful completion of the interview process. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

For technical troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please view the Frequently Asked Questions . For questions regarding the application process, please contact Emily Laetsch in Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Disabled veterans: Qualified veterans with a 30% or more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in classified civil service under s 230.275 WI Stats. Please apply online with your qualifications and resume outlining how you meet the required qualifications for the position along with your DD-214 and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12-months) and email the HR contact listed in this announcement for notification that you are applying under this provision. Current State employees are not eligible for non-competitive appointment.

The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Deadline to Apply

Applications will be accepted until all business needs are met. Applications submitted by 11:59pm Thursday, September 3 rd , 2026 will be included in the first review.