Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Pennington County offers a great benefits package including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave; health, dental, and life insurance; and a 6% employer-matching retirement plan through the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS). The Highway Dept. has an excellent shop and well-maintained equipment, and offers a consistent 4-day work schedule. 

Position Objective:
The role of the Heavy Equipment Mechanic is to maintain and repair County equipment.

• Complete engine repair through the use of hand tools, jacks and hoists
• Diagnose electrical, hydraulic, transmissoin and other equipment problems
• Ensure that equipment runs properly through standard maintenance procedures
• Weld equipment through the use of stick and wire feed welders
• Prioritize work based upon parts availability, weather conditions and Department work schedule
• Determine process and procedures for equipment repair, fabrication and maintenance
• Determine safety and feasibility of performing equipment repairs in the field versus transporting to shop based upon weather conditions, terrain, traffic speed, etc.
• Respond to service calls at the shop and in the field
• Lead the shop in the absence of the Shop Foreman
• Choose parts vendors considering quality and budgetary concerns
• Fabricate new equipment components, i.e. building and installation of Kybato Quick Change kits, welding and determining locations for plow mounts, hydraulics and PTO mounts, etc.
• Assist with inventory of necessary repair parts, supplies and equipment

• 3-10 Years of experience
• Air Brake Certificate
• Air Conditioning Certificate
• Diesel school or experience
• Hydraulic school or experience
• Knowledge of equipment and truck operation
• Must have a valid driver’s license and have or be able to obtain a South Dakota Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with tanker endorsement within ninety (90) days of hire date
• Vocational degree in mechanical field
• Welding school or experience
• Basic knowledge of computer operations

• Must be able to frequently sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, reach and lift, push or pull
• Upper body strength is a requisite to lift/move 50 lbs. unassisted; and lift/move 100 lbs. with assistance
• Will be required to use appropriate personal protective equipment