Mechanic's Helper

The Mechanic's Helper / Apprentice assists the Head Mechanic with inspecting, servicing, and repairing the trucks, trailers, small engines, and heavy equipment that keep OASIS roadway, roadside, and landscape maintenance crews working. Equipment includes pickup and dump trucks, tractors, commercial mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, excavators, mini excavators, skid steers, trailers, arrow boards, and other equipment across a wide variety of makes and models. Work ranges from oil changes and blade replacement to assisting with mower deck clutches, engine repairs, and hydraulic and electrical troubleshooting. Tasks are assigned according to the employee's training and demonstrated ability, with guidance and oversight from the Head Mechanic. This position may be based at any OASIS working site and reports to the Head Mechanic. Occasional travel to other OASIS projects is required to provide equipment support and repair work. Work is primarily in the shop and outdoors in all weather conditions and may include early departures, later returns, and overtime as business needs require. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Maintain a strong safety-first mindset. Follow company procedures and wear required PPE to protect yourself, coworkers, and the traveling public. • Assist the Head Mechanic with diagnosing mechanical problems and completing routine maintenance and repairs on company trucks, trailers, tractors, small engines, landscape equipment, and heavy equipment. • Perform assigned preventive maintenance, including oil and filter changes, lubrication, fluid checks, battery service, and inspections of belts, hoses, tires, brakes, and lights, following manufacturer service intervals. • Remove, sharpen, balance, and replace mower blades. Replace trimmer line, chainsaw chains, belts, pulleys, bearings, and other wear parts as trained and directed. • Assist with servicing and repairing mowing decks, deck clutches, spindles, drive systems, and related components on commercial mowing equipment. • Assist with repairs to gasoline and diesel engines, fuel and cooling systems, electrical systems, brakes, steering, drivetrain components, and hydraulic systems under the Head Mechanic's direction. • Assist with hydraulic hose, fitting, and cylinder repairs on excavators, skid steers, and attachments. Relieve stored pressure before work begins. • Assist with servicing roadway support equipment such as arrow boards and towed trailers, including lights, wiring, brakes, tires, hitches, and safety chains. • Support DOT compliance readiness by correcting defects reported on pre-trip and post-trip inspections, documenting repairs, and helping prepare vehicles for scheduled inspections. • Clean, disassemble, inspect, and reassemble components. Identify worn or damaged parts and report findings to the Head Mechanic. • Use hand tools, power tools, meters, and shop equipment safely and correctly. Learn to follow service manuals, parts diagrams, and maintenance procedures. • Assist with checking completed repairs and testing equipment only as trained and authorized. Report unresolved concerns before equipment returns to service. • Follow procedures for safely lifting and supporting vehicles and equipment, isolating energy, relieving stored pressure, and handling fuels, oils, coolants, batteries, and other shop materials. • Dispose of used oil, filters, batteries, tires, and other shop waste according to company and environmental requirements. Report spills immediately. • Keep accurate service records, including work performed, parts used, equipment hours or mileage, and maintenance needs, in the company's work-order or fleet maintenance system. • Assist with identifying, organizing, receiving, and obtaining repair parts, supplies, and tools. Keep the shop, service vehicles, and work areas clean and orderly. • Travel occasionally to other OASIS projects and designated work locations to provide equipment support and repairs. Drive company vehicles as authorized. • Communicate equipment issues, repair progress, and additional service needs to the Head Mechanic. Work cooperatively with field crews to reduce downtime. • Complete assigned safety training and take part in on-the-job instruction to build skills toward mechanic-level work and, where offered by the company, technical certification. • Report hazards, near misses, injuries, and incidents immediately and take part in corrective actions. • Perform other related duties as assigned by the Head Mechanic or company leadership. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES • Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with common hand and power tools. Willingness to learn vehicle, small-engine, and heavy-equipment repair. • Basic understanding of how engines, brakes, hydraulics, and electrical systems work, or the willingness to learn quickly on the job. • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, ask questions when unsure, and recognize when a task requires additional training or supervision. • Basic reading, math, and recordkeeping skills to follow service information, measure parts, and complete maintenance records on paper or on a smartphone or tablet. • Working knowledge of, or willingness to be trained in, shop safety: PPE, lockout and energy isolation, jack and stand safety, fire prevention, and hazardous materials handling. • Attention to detail, dependable attendance, and the ability to communicate clearly in English and work as part of a team. • Perform hands-on shop and field work involving standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing into and out of equipment, and working in confined equipment spaces. • Lift and carry tools, parts, and materials up to 50 lbs., using assistance or lifting equipment for heavier or awkward loads, with or without reasonable accommodation. • Work in shop and outdoor conditions involving heat, humidity, rain, noise, dust, grease, fumes, and uneven terrain while following required safety precautions. • Stop work and ask for help when instructions or conditions are unclear or unsafe. Maintain awareness around moving equipment and traffic during field repairs. • Travel occasionally to other OASIS projects as assigned. Travel days may require early departures or later returns. • Safely operate company vehicles as authorized, following DOT and company policies. EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED • Valid driver's license for the state of assignment, an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), and the ability to maintain insurability under company policy for assigned driving duties. • Ability to meet company driver eligibility requirements, including the minimum driving age of 23 under company insurance requirements. • Willingness to learn and develop mechanical skills through hands-on training under the Head Mechanic. Advanced diagnostic or repair experience is not required. • Ability to comply with company pre-employment screening requirements (such as MVR and drug screening) and the Drug and Alcohol Policy. PREFERRED • High school diploma or G.E.D. • Technical certification or completed coursework in automotive, diesel, small-engine, outdoor power equipment, or heavy equipment repair, such as ASE entry-level or Medium/Heavy Truck, EETC, or manufacturer training. • Hands-on experience assisting in a repair shop or maintaining vehicles, lawn equipment, tractors, or construction equipment through employment, military service, school, or personal projects. • A combination of technical training and hands-on experience is equally valued. • Familiarity with equipment or engines from Kubota, John Deere, Ditch Witch, STIHL, ECHO, Kawasaki, Hustler, Challenger, MowerMax, Caterpillar, or similar manufacturers. • Basic welding, cutting, or fabrication skills. EPA Section 609 certification for mobile air conditioning service, or willingness to obtain it. • CDL Class A or B, or the ability to obtain one. • Familiarity with DOT vehicle inspection standards and electronic work-order or fleet maintenance systems. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT CAREER PATH • Start as a Mechanic's Helper / Apprentice, learning safe shop practices, service procedures, and the equipment OASIS runs every day. • Build toward Mechanic I as skills, reliability, and safety record are demonstrated under the Head Mechanic's guidance. • Continue toward Mechanic II and, over time, Lead Mechanic or Head Mechanic roles as experience and certifications grow. • Advancement is based on demonstrated skills, performance, certifications, and business needs, and is not guaranteed. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS • On-the-job training with the Head Mechanic on trucks, trailers, mowers, small engines, and heavy equipment. • Manufacturer and dealer training on equipment such as Kubota, John Deere, STIHL, and Ditch Witch, when offered. • Technical certifications that support advancement, such as ASE entry-level or Medium/Heavy Truck, EPA Section 609, and CDL. • Company safety training, including lockout/energy isolation, PPE, and hazard recognition, as assigned by Safety.