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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Occupation Detailed Description

Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

The main tasks and work activities of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists are to inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems, service vehicles to maintain functionality, lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning, adjust vehicle components according to specifications. In general, for the Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, repairing, troubleshooting, operation and Control, operation Monitoring and other 11 skills are required.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists jobs. 40.21% of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 17.66% of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
29.51%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
40.21%
Post-Secondary Certificate
17.66%
Some College Courses
7.17%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5.45%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

  • Use handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, or precision instruments, as well as power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, or jacks and hoists.
  • Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
  • Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
  • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
  • Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
  • Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
  • Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
  • Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
  • Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
  • Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
  • Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
  • Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
  • Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
  • Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
  • Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
  • Align front ends and suspension systems.
  • Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
  • Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
  • Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
  • Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Measure distances or dimensions.
  • Repair defective engines or engine components.
  • Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
  • Rebuild parts or components.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
  • Dismantle heavy equipment or machinery.
  • Align equipment or machinery.
  • Grind parts to required dimensions.
  • Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
  • Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.

Skills and Abilities for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Blow torche.g. Acetylene torches
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable crescent wrenches
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Battery chargerse.g. Battery chargers
  • Induction heaterse.g. Bearing heating ovens
  • Pneumatic sanding machinese.g. Blast cleaning cabinets
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Bleeder wrenches
  • Compressed air gune.g. Blow guns
  • Hole gaugee.g. Bore gauges
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring bars
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring tools
  • Box end wrenchese.g. Box end wrenches
  • Brake repair kitse.g. Brake shoe adjusting tools
  • Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Brass drifts
  • Hammerse.g. Brass hammers
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Slingse.g. Chain slings
  • Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.