Senior Fleet Technician

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Fleet Management
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $70,271 - $87,839 (2025 rates)
LOCATION: Empire Maintenance Facility
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: This posting will remain open until the ideal candidate is identified.

The Dakota County Fleet Management Department is currently seeking candidates to fill a Senior Fleet Technician position. The position is responsible for diagnosing, repairing and servicing mechanical, electronic, air, hydraulic, hybrid, police and computer systems in vehicles and equipment to ensure their safe and proper operation. Fleet services are provided to County wide assets and outside agencies. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated on efficiency and procedure application. Senior Fleet Technicians may also serve as the Fleet Supervisor in absence of the Fleet Supervisor.

Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

* Associate's Degree OR 2-year technical certificate in the field of Fleet Maintenance and repair AND Two years experience as a heavy equipment technician, automotive or truck technician, or a closely related position in the Fleet Maintenance field.
OR
* One year Technical Certificate in the field of Fleet Maintenance and repair AND Three years' experience as a heavy equipment technician, automotive or truck technician, or a closely related position in the Fleet Maintenance field.
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience in heavy equipment technician, automotive or truck technician, or a closely related position in the Fleet Maintenance field to equal or exceed four years.
AND
* Valid Driver's License

Preferred License/Certificates:
* ASE Master certification in Automotive and Medium/Heavy Truck

Licenses or Certifications to be obtained within 12 months of hire:
* Valid Commercial Vehicle Driver's License, Class A with combination airbrake and tanker endorsement.
* DOT Commercial Vehicle inspector certification number
* 7 ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications
* Attend First Aide training class through the EDGE program
* MN Pollution Control Agency underground tank Class B Operator certification
* OSHA fork truck operator certification
* OSHA aerial platform operator certification

Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual Section 3102(L), this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

The duties and responsibilities listed below are for the Fleet Technician position. These do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. To see the Senior Fleet Technician duties and responsibilities view the position description linked above.

1. Conducts detailed preventive maintenance, failure diagnosis and repairs to complex systems by following factory manuals, computer analyzers, established maintenance schedules and procedures on automotive, medium truck, heavy truck and construction equipment. These systems include: gas and diesel engines, transmissions, rear axles, suspensions, hydraulics, pneumatics, cooling, brakes, fuel, electrical, computer systems, air systems, hybrid systems, electric vehicle systems, snow equipment, police systems and controls.
2. Assist in the scheduling, coordinating and performance of fleet services to county wide customers and non county customers. Providing lead worker support to daily and long term projects and providing technical instruction to fleet technicians to help develop advanced repair knowledge and procedures that help with daily work load flow. Serve as the Fleet Supervisor in the absence of the Fleet Supervisor.
3. Performs pre-delivery and setup of new vehicles and equipment and any other modifications needed to improve safety, efficiency and productivity of the purchased units with limited supervision.
4. Performs detailed metalworking that includes welding and cutting procedures for repairs and fabrication projects with steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
5. Performs emergency field repairs to quickly get equipment back in operation or back to the shop for more permanent problem resolution.
6. Conducts detailed preventive maintenance, failure diagnosis and repairs to complex systems by following factory manuals, computer analyzers, established maintenance schedules and procedures on small equipment, attachments, vehicles and light trucks. These systems include: gas and diesel engines, transmissions, rear axles, suspensions, hydraulics, pneumatics, cooling, brakes, fuel, electrical, computer systems, air systems, hybrid systems, electric vehicle systems, snow equipment, police systems and controls.
7. Documents and records all repairs, parts, labor costs, vehicle number or other required information related to daily operations for fleet information systems including initiating communication with supervisor to discuss improvements in work procedures.
8. Perform mandatory regulated inspections, test operation to ensure safe and proper operation on all County and non county vehicles, trucks and equipment.
9. Assist in maintaining effective repair parts, oils and fuel inventories including purchasing and restocking shelves.
10. Perform mandatory regulated inspections, execute repairs and adjustments on all fuel islands at County owned Facilities including instruction of County staff and non county staff on correct use of fuel island systems.
11. Keep abreast of changes to industry standards and repair procedures to enable technician to provide technical assistance to county and non county staff involving fleet operations.

Essential Functions: 1-11

* Ability to effectively communicate professionally both orally and in writing.
* Ability to comprehend and make decisions based on written materials and verbal instructions.
* Ability to exercise initiative, discretion, trust and independent judgment
* Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, vendors, other municipal agencies and the general public.
* Ability to lead small work groups providing detailed instructions to accomplish assigned tasks
* Ability and skill to operate diagnostic and test equipment to determine the nature of equipment malfunction.
* Ability to operate various types of light and heavy equipment.
* Ability to perform strenuous work on a daily basis requiring physical strength and coordination.
* Extensive knowledge of operation principles of gasoline and diesel engines, hybrid, electric and alternative fuel systems and of the mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, snow equipment, police systems and computer systems of all county fleet equipment.
* Ability to comprehend new and emerging technologies and apply this knowledge to repair procedures
* Skill in the use of electric, air and hand tools and computerized testing equipment.
* Skill in the use of welding and torching equipment including being able to select the correct thickness and types of materials.
* Ability to demonstrate good detail orientation and logical thinking with organizational and prioritization skills.
* Ability to organize work efficiently and effectively and to handle multiple tasks and adapt to frequently changing work demands.

Work Environment
Must be able to perform the following in a complex ever changing work environment, on a daily basis. The posture and movement requirement for this position are: twisting, reaching forward, pushing and pulling on a continuous basis; walking, bending/stooping, climbing stairs, balancing, and reaching overhead or low levels on a frequent basis and sitting, standing, crouching, and working at low levels on an occasional basis. The position requires frequent lifting and carrying up to 34 pounds, occasional up to 100 pounds, and rarely over 100 pounds. The position requires simple & firm grasping, fine finger coordination, and the bending & twisting of the arm on a continuous basis.

Exposures may include, but are not limited to changing weather conditions, uneven and/or slippery surfaces, dust, dirt, oil, grease, solvents, fumes, noise and all hazards associated with an equipment repair shop. Position requires sensory demands of hearing, speech, near & far vision, color vision, tactile, and spatial perception. Equipment used but not limited to include: hand tools, electric power tools, air tools, electronic testing equipment, welders, cutting torches, personal computer, personal safety equipment and any of a large list of light and heavy equipment.

Contact the Employee Relations Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Senior Fleet Technician positions.

Location & Schedule
This is a full-time in-person position and works out of the Maintenance Facility in Empire, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks