Location
Description
Applications are being accepted for the position of Equipment Mechanic with the City of South San Francisco in the Public Works Department.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2025 AT 5:00 PM, OR UPON RECEIPT OF THE FIRST 100 ONLINE APPLICATIONS, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
THE CITY OFFERS AN ATTRACTIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE, AS WELL AS CALPERS RETIREMENT PLAN AND SOCIAL SECURITY PARTICIPATION.
The Department
The South San Francisco Public Works Department is comprised of its three main divisions - Engineering, Maintenance & Operations, and the Water Quality Control Plant. Together, these divisions ensure that South San Francisco's infrastructure and public services are efficiently managed and maintained, contributing to the overall quality of life in the community.
The Public Works Maintenance and Operations division in South San Francisco is dedicated to maintaining the city's infrastructure and public spaces, prioritizing safety, cleanliness, and functionality. Its responsibilities include keeping streets, sidewalks, signage, and traffic signals in good condition to improve safety and ensure efficient traffic flow. The division also manages stormwater systems, performing regular maintenance of drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding and protect water quality.
In support of the city's sustainability goals, the division aids in waste and recycling efforts by providing education to the community and ensuring compliance with waste reduction regulations. Additionally, the division manages the city fleet, overseeing the maintenance and repair of vehicles to safeguard reliability, efficiency, and readiness for all city operations.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Equipment Mechanic candidate is a skilled, safety-focused technician with solid journey-level experience maintaining and repairing a wide range of automotive, heavy-duty, and power-driven equipment. They demonstrate strong diagnostic abilities, accurately identifying mechanical issues and determining the scope, time, and materials needed for effective repairs.
This candidate is proficient in overhauling engines, transmissions, clutches, and drivetrains; repairing electrical and ignition systems; and replacing or rebuilding key components such as bearings, seals, exhaust systems, steering mechanisms, and suspension parts. They are also capable of installing and maintaining specialized equipment on public safety vehicles and ensuring all work meets high standards of reliability and performance.
The ideal candidate works well both independently and as part of a team, offering support to senior mechanics and guidance to less experienced staff. They maintain thorough repair and shop records, communicate clearly, and follow written and oral instructions with precision.
Above all, this candidate prioritizes safety, customer service, and efficiency. They use proper shop practices, take initiative to improve processes, and build positive working relationships with coworkers and other City staff. With strong organizational skills, a commitment to quality workmanship, and the ability to operate a variety of vehicles safely, they contribute to the dependable operation of the City’s fleet.
QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience: One year of journey-level experience in the maintenance and repair of automotive and other power-driven equipment.
Training: Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Licenses/Certifications: Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record. Additionally, employees in this classification are required to obtain and maintain a California commercial driver’s license within the first year of employment.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered, the following REQUIRED items must be submitted at time of application:
- City application
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
NOTE: Applications must be completed in full. All work experience, and education or training must be listed directly on the City application. Applications that state “See Resume” or omit required information will be considered incomplete and subject to disqualification. Resumes may be attached separately; however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Only application materials and documents that are specifically required within this job announcement will be reviewed as part of the application process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The process will first consist of a review of application materials, including responses to supplemental questions, which must be detailed and complete. Applicants whose submitted application materials demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities in the best alignment with the required and desired qualifications of this position will be selected to participate in the next phase of the qualification and selection process, which will include a performance exercise and oral panel interview, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Following this examination, the top scoring candidates will be invited to a final selection interview with the hiring department.
To review complete job descriptions which include all special requirements, go to www.ssf.net
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS retirement formula is 2% at age 60 for Classic members or; 2% at age 62 for “new members” as defined by Government Code §7522.04(e). Social Security and Medicare participation and the option to participate in 457 deferred compensation plans. City contributes equivalent of 1.5% of base pay towards a medical after-retirement account.
Health Insurance: City offers a choice of medical HMO (two providers) or PPO plan, and offers vision and dental coverage. City pays 100% of vision and dental premiums for employee and eligible dependents. Employees shall contribute 10% of the HMO premium cost based on category of coverage (single, two, family). For PPO, employee pays cost difference between PPO and HMO plans. City provides 100% City-paid short- and long-term disability insurances. The City offers a discretionary benefit account for employees who demonstrate health coverage elsewhere.
Vacation: Fifteen to thirty working days annual vacation, based on the length of service.
Holidays: Thirteen total paid holidays per year plus one floating holiday.
Programs: 457 Deferred Compensation, Paid Family Leave, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Long-Term Care, Disability and Life Insurance Programs, City Recreation Classes, Reduced-fee Childcare Programs and Commuter Benefit Programs are available.
This classification is in an employee bargaining unit.
Special Instructions
Prior to appointment, candidates will be required to submit to any or all of the following (as applicable):
- Reference Check
- SSF Background Check
- Pre-Employment Medical Examination and Drug Screen
A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature and recency of the conviction and relationship to job duties. All City standards must be met before the final appointment is made.
Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should advise the Human Resources Department upon submittal of application.
Candidates requesting veteran’s preference must provide a copy of U.S. Government DD Form 214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" as an attachment to their CalOpps application.
The policy of the City of South San Francisco is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of South San Francisco that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The City of South San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).