Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul trucks, buses, and all types of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile diesel engines.

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

1. Use handtools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, pressure gauges, and precision instruments, as well as power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, welding equipment, and jacks and hoists.

2. Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.

3. Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.

4. Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.

5. Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.

6. Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.

7. Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, and pressure gauges.

8. Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.

9. Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.

10. Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.

11. Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.

Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge 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 Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Engineering and Technology - Knowledge 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.

Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge 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.

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$31,880 for entry level workers, and $53,150 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Less Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 13,730 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 14,250  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 50 job(s) each year, and a total of 300 job openings each year.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) - The Society of Automotive Engineers, International, (SAE) has been a catalyst in advancing the mobility industry for 100 years. SAE is your one-stop resource for standards development, events, and technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers - Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines - Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.

Motorboat Mechanics - Repairs and adjusts electrical and mechanical equipment of gasoline or diesel powered inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

Motorcycle Mechanics - Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics - Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, and related equipment.

Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers - Install and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems.

Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators - Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.