​Automotive Technician Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 25, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes four classes which perform automotive inspection, installation, and servicing duties.

Definition of Series

The Automotive Technician series of classes describes work involved in the performance of the following functions: fleet maintenance duties involving inspection, diagnosis, adjustment, mechanical and electrical repair, scheduling of a fleet of vehicles for maintenance and repair by private vendors, and maintenance of necessary vehicle fleet records. Equipment installation duties involve comprehensive safety inspection and testing of new vehicles, assembly, installation, removal and repair of special equipment, reconditioning of used vehicles to prepare them for sale, and conducting sales of vehicles. In addition, incumbents are expected to do other related work.

Entry Levels

Entry to this series may be from the class of Service Assistant (Automotive) or from outside of State service.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level of difficulty, complexity of assigned duties, independence of action and decision, degree of supervision received, and degree of supervision exercised serve as differentiating factors between individual classes.

Definition of Levels

Automotive Technician Trainee

This is the trainee level for this series. Under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of duties in a varied number of work settings such as: assisting an Automotive Technician I in maintaining a fleet of vehicles or equipping new vehicles and stripping used vehicles of specialized equipment. Successful performance of many of the duties performed by this class require incumbents to crawl underneath a vehicle/down under the dashboard/into the trunk; lift and carry tires up to 60 pounds in weight; and work in varying, and sometimes extreme, temperatures.

Automotive Technician I

This is the journeyperson level. Incumbents assemble, install, repair, or remove special enforcement and emergency equipment; and do other related work. Successful performance of many of the duties performed by this class require incumbents to crawl underneath a vehicle/down under the dashboard/into the trunk; lift and carry tires up to 60 pounds in weight; and work in varying, and sometimes extreme, temperatures. Incumbents may also be required to act as leadpersons to review and/or oversee work performed by other automotive maintenance and repair personnel.

Automotive Technician II

This is the lead and advanced journeyperson level. Incumbents perform in one of the following work settings: (1) act as leadpersons to oversee the work of two or more journeypersons and subordinates in maintaining a large fleet of vehicles; (2) maintain a fleet of vehicles; perform preventative maintenance; schedule and verify maintenance and repair; make mechanical and electrical repairs and adjustments; diagnose and inspect motor vehicles and accessories for needed repairs; secure and maintain both manual and computer records on maintenance and servicing of a fleet of vehicles; arrange for disposal of hazardous materials; interpret repair manuals and related materials; maintain tools and equipment; order and maintain inventory of automotive parts and supplies; and (3) oversee equipment installation including the assembly, installation, removal and repair of special enforcement and emergency equipment on motor vehicles, recondition used vehicles, and perform the more complex installation functions including fabrication of new equipment installation techniques. Successful performance of many of the duties performed by this class require incumbents to crawl underneath a vehicle/down under the dashboard/into the trunk; lift and carry tires up to 60 pounds in weight; and work in varying, and sometimes extreme, temperatures.

Automotive Technician III

This is the first and highest level supervisor. Incumbents work under general direction in charge of various shop operations connected with the installation, removal, and renovation of enforcement and emergency equipment on motor vehicles. Incumbents exercise supervision through Automotive Technicians II.

Minimum Qualifications

Automotive Technician Trainee

Either I

In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of a Service Assistant (Automotive).

Or II

One year of experience in servicing and repairing motor vehicles in a garage, motor vehicle agency, or other major vehicle repair facility. (College or trade school education in automotive mechanics or automotive engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) (Applicants who are substituting education for experience and are within 15 semester units or 22 1/2 quarter units of completing the education requirement will be admitted to the examination but must satisfactorily complete the required education before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Automotive Technician I

Either I

In the California state service, one year of experience performing duties in automotive service or repair at a level not less than an Automotive Technician Trainee. (Applicants who have completed six months of the required experience will be admitted to the examination but must satisfactorily complete the required experience before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Two years of experience in servicing and repairing motor vehicles in a garage, motor vehicle agency, or other major vehicle repair facility. (College or trade school education in automotive mechanics or automotive engineering may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.) (Applicants who are substituting education for experience and are within 15 semester units or 22 1/2 quarter units of completing the education requirement will be admitted to the examination but must satisfactorily complete the required education before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Automotive Technician II

Either I

In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of an Automotive Technician I. (Promotional candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement of this class will be admitted to the examination, but they must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Three years of experience in maintenance of motor vehicles either: (a)�in a major vehicle repair facility; (b) an automobile agency; or (c) a garage. Experience shall have included at least one year scheduling the servicing of vehicles, or experience in the installation, adjustment, or repair of specialized automotive electrical accessories or equipment. (College or trade school education in automotive mechanics or automotive engineering may be substituted for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis.)

Automotive Technician III

Either I

In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of an Automotive Technician II.

Or II

Four years of experience in automotive equipment repair, at least two years of which shall have included supervisory responsibility for the installation, adjustment, or repair of specialized automotive electrical accessories or equipment. (College or trade school education in automotive mechanics or automotive engineering may be substituted for the required general experience on a year-for-year basis.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Automotive Technician Trainee

Knowledge of: Automotive equipment terminology and parts used in automotive maintenance and repair, how they interact, and where they are located; and preventative maintenance and repair procedures; service requirements of motor vehicles; and record-keeping procedures.

Ability to: Maintain both manual and computer records; make accurate arithmetical computations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the work; and demonstrated skill in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles.

Automotive Technician I

Knowledge of: All of the above, and components of a vehicle, how they work and their interrelationships, and where they are located; the safe use of a large variety of electric and air-powered tools and their accessories, such as electric drill motors, air-powered impact wrenches, and various small hand tools; the proper size and type of wiring terminal or connector when making electrical connections; and the proper hardware needed to mount various pieces and specialty equipment.

Ability to: All of the above, and work under stress in an assembly line environment.

Automotive Technician II​

Knowledge of: All of the above, and tools, equipment, and methods used in testing and repairing automotive equipment and automotive accessories; vehicle component warranties, their limitations, and requirements; and safety equipment and procedures for hazardous materials.

Ability to: All of the above, and diagnose automotive equipment malfunctions and make or order necessary repairs; read automotive repair manuals, charts, invoices, and other related materials; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; project and evaluate cost effectiveness of maintenance and repair work; work independently; follow directions; effectively communicate verbally and in writing; operate tools and equipment used to diagnose and properly maintain a fleet of vehicles; and locate and secure repair-maintenance services of outside agencies that can perform the work which exceed the capabilities of your shop or are more efficient.

Automotive Technician III

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of supervision; and the department's Equal Employment Opportunity policy.

Ability to: All of the above, and supervise and evaluate the work of others; and effectively contribute to the department's Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

Special Requirements

All Levels:

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles; and evidence of satisfactory arrest and driving records.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

Automotive Technician I

Possession of headlamp and brake adjustment certificates.

Automotive Technician II

All of the above, and possession of a motor vehicle pollution control device installer's license.

Drug Testing Requirement

Automotive Technician Trainee

Automotive Technician I

Automotive Technician II

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

Class History