Automotive Technician Apprentice

Automotive Technician Apprentice

Join St. Louis County as an Automotive Technician Apprentice and earn while you learn how we maintain, repair and recondition various types of county vehicles and equipment. An apprenticeship is part-time work that provides practical work experience, for students or recent graduates of a recognized automotive technician program. Successful apprentices may be eligible for appointment to a full-time Automotive Technician position with St. Louis County. Public Works is currently hiring multiple Automotive Technician Apprentices to work in Duluth or Virginia, Minnesota. As part of the application process, applicants will select the location where they would be willing to work. This information will be used to filter the eligible list and ensure applicants are being referred for interview according to their preference.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Distinguishing Features of Work

This classification is used to provide the apprentice with a hands-on learning experience while performing increasingly more responsible work in a skilled trades field. Placements shall be in an occupational setting related to the apprentice's field of study. Depending on the department, the apprentice is assigned to perform routine skilled trades duties, routine maintenance, record keeping, and assisting staff to perform required tasks related to the position in which the apprentice is serving. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

Work Environment

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Mechanical hazards. FREQUENT: Lift and carry up to 20 pounds; near and midrange vision; hear within 5 feet; bend neck; use fingers; handle; kneel; move about; reach; rotate neck; sit; stand; stoop/bend; talk/speak; taste/smell; twist at waist; right and left wrist turn; electrical hazards; slippery surfaces; moving objects; traffic; work around others; work inside and drive. OCCASIONAL: Lift and carry up to 50 pounds; far vision; depth perception; field of vision; visual accommodation; color vision; hear up to 20 feet; balance; climb ladders and stairs; crawl; crouch; feel; grasp; maintain posture; squat; static neck position; walk; exposure to weather; extreme noise and vibration; burns; elevated surfaces; chemicals; customer/public contact and work outside.

Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Graduation from or currently enrolled in a program related to automotive technician training or equivalent program.
• Apprentices are part-time employees subject to a twenty-four (24) month probationary period.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

RATING SYSTEM: Supplemental questionnaire will be 100% of the scoring process:

• Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 10-13.
• Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It's recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when you're finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• October 26, 2026 - Applicant screening to begin
• Week of November 2, 2026- Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of November 16, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at

VETERANS PREFERENCE: If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statue 197.455 for additional requirements.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS: Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position. DRUG TESTING: Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test. BACKGROUND CHECK: Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION: All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Apprentices are part-time employees subject to a twenty-four (24) month probationary period. NON-DISCRIMINATION: St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.

Benefits

Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Training and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Wellness Program
• Pet Insurance

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.