Transit Mechanic en Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority · San Jose, Estados Unidos De América · Onsite
- Professional
- Oficina en San Jose
About the Department
Ideal Candidate Statement
The ideal candidate for the Transit Mechanic position is a skilled and experienced heavy duty vehicle technician with a strong work ethic and foundation in the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of diesel-powered buses and related equipment. They bring at least four years of hands-on experience working with diesel and hybrid systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and vehicle climate control systems, committed to ensuring vehicles and equipment meet high standards of safety, reliability, and performance.
This candidate thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and demonstrates a high level of mechanical competency, precision, and initiative. They are well-versed in using diagnostic tools and are able to utilize shop equipment to efficiently identify and resolve vehicle issues. Their familiarity with maintenance repair standards, preventive maintenance schedules, and their commitment to keeping VTA’s fleet in top working condition make them an asset to the Bus Maintenance division.
Definition
Under general supervision, the Transit Mechanic performs skilled mechanical work as required, diagnoses, maintains, repairs, services, inspects, and tests VTA buses and support vehicles.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Transit Mechanic is a journey level classification. It is distinguished from the Service Mechanic class in that positions in the latter class perform minor repair, inspection, and lubrication of VTA buses and assist Transit Mechanics in more difficult mechanical work. Transit Mechanic positions are distinguished from positions in the Overhaul and Repair Mechanic class in that the latter performs major disassembly, rebuilding, and assembly duties in the process of overhauling VTA buses or their components.
About Bus Maintenance
VTA buses are maintained at three bus operating divisions - Chaboya, North, and Cerone. The Cerone Overhaul and Repair department provides heavy repair, component rebuild, an electronics shop, upholstery, and additional maintenance services. Bus Maintenance includes timely and reliable maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspections, and transit bus and service equipment servicing.
After a bus returns from revenue service at the end of each day, Maintenance pulls the cash vault, analyzes the driver defect card, fuels the bus, cleans the interior and exterior, cleans and/or replaces seats and windows, and removes and repairs any vandalism or graffiti. Regular preventive maintenance is performed at prescheduled cycles every 2,000, 6,000, 12,000, and 24,000 miles, as well as in preparation for winter and summer driving conditions, to ensure optimal performance, efficiency, safety, and reliability.
The Overhaul and Repair department provides paint and body repair, upholstery, farebox repair, electronics repair, component overhaul, and the heavy repair/rebuild of engines, transmissions, and other components. The Road Call Maintenance unit is part of Running Repair/Corrective Maintenance and performs diagnostic and minor field repairs to VTA buses in revenue service.
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service, including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express. As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit-oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.
Position Duties
Typical Tasks
- Performs bus maintenance, repair, and diagnostic duties in order to restore VTA buses and related equipment to serviceable condition;
- Recommends, when necessary, the referral of bus repair jobs to the Overhaul and Repair facility;
- Removes, repairs, troubleshoots, and installs component parts of VTA vehicles such as transmissions, axles, wheels, hydraulic and electrical systems, climate control systems, valves, pumps, tanks, compressors, heat exchangers, piping, alternators, generators, starters, blowers, and fuel metering devices;
- Adjusts and installs engine components;
- Maintains and installs lighting circuits, alarms, safety circuits, interlocks, ignition systems, environmental systems, and related components;
- Operates shop equipment and other tools to maintain and diagnose vehicle problems;
- Performs service and repairs on road calls;
- Performs safety and preventive maintenance inspections as required by applicable Federal, State, and VTA guidelines;
- Prepares written reports, documents defects and repairs on inspection forms and work orders, or designated computer programs;
- May familiarize and/or supervise Service Mechanics, Service Workers and other classifications in the proper method of performing their job;
- Operates a computer for related data input and retrieval;
- Can be assigned lower level work of classes in job series
- Performs other related tasks as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience which demonstrates possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.Training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma and four (4) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of diesel powered heavy equipment (such as diesel trucks and buses) or equivalent experience.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to qualify for and maintain a Class B license with Passenger (P) endorsement.
Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours.
Other Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Theory, operation, and repair of diesel powered vehicles, including engines, transmissions, ignitions, and electrical hydraulic/pneumatic cooling, heating, and brake systems;
- Industrial safety rules, shop safety rules, regulations, and procedures as applicable to a bus maintenance facility;
- General shop safety procedures;
- Basic equipment and tools used in the maintenance and repair of large vehicles.
Ability to:
- Perform maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, diagnostic procedures and safety/preventative maintenance inspections in relation to a variety of VTA buses and related equipment;
- Adjust and install engine components;
- Maintain and install lighting circuits, alarms, safety circuits, interlocks, ignition systems, environmental systems, and related components;
- Give oral and written instructions and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
- Familiarize other Service Mechanics, Service Workers and other classifications in the proper method of performing their job;
- Properly use test and other shop equipment/tools, including oxy/acetylene and arc welding equipment;
- Prepare written reports, document defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders, or designated computer programs
- Perform computer-related functions that allow for data input and retrieval;
- Effectively read, understand, and use technical information found in repair manuals, service change bulletins, and applicable technical documents, including parts and supply manuals;
- Operate a variety of equipment, i.e. forklifts, scissor lifts, etc.;
- Learn and stay current on all new technologies introduced into the transit industries as it relates to bus maintenance;
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.
General Application Instructions
Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.
Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.
This classification is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU),). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.
Tentative Examinations:
Written: Week of October 6th, 2025
Performance & Oral Panel: Week of October 27th, 2025
Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.
For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.
Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email [email protected] at least five business days before the test.
Equal Employment Opportunity
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.
