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Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous 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.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job 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. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These 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.
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $32K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $40K
Median Salary: $50K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $62K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $76K
Demand
Core Tasks
Inspect brake systems, steering mechanisms, wheel bearings, and other important parts to ensure that they are in proper operating condition.
Adjust and reline brakes, align wheels, tighten bolts and screws, and reassemble equipment.
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.
Examine and adjust protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices.
Perform routine maintenance such as changing oil, checking batteries, and lubricating equipment and machinery.
Test drive trucks and buses to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure that they are working properly.
Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
Attach test instruments to equipment, and read dials and gauges to diagnose malfunctions.
Inspect and verify dimensions and clearances of parts to ensure conformance to factory specifications.
Inspect, test, and listen to defective equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test instruments such as handheld computers, motor analyzers, chassis charts, or pressure gauges.
Rebuild gas or diesel engines.
Recondition and replace parts, pistons, bearings, gears, and valves.
Rewire ignition systems, lights, and instrument panels.
Adjust or repair computer controlled exhaust emissions devices.
Align front ends and suspension systems.
Follow green operational practices involving conservation of water or energy or reduction of solid waste.
Specialize in repairing and maintaining parts of the engine, such as fuel injection systems.
Inspect, repair, and maintain automotive and mechanical equipment and machinery, such as pumps and compressors.
Install or repair accessories.
Diagnose and repair vehicle heating and cooling systems.
Disassemble and overhaul internal combustion engines, pumps, generators, transmissions, clutches, and differential units.
Measure vehicle emissions to determine whether they are within acceptable limits.
Repair or adjust seats, doors, or windows.
Maintain or repair vehicles with alternative fuel systems, including biodiesel, hybrid, or compressed natural gas vehicles.
Operate valve-grinding machines to grind and reset valves.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mechanical
93%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Transportation
74%
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service
71%
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.
Public Safety and Security
70%
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
68%
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
66%
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.
Administration and Management
61%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Production and Processing
60%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Computers and Electronics
59%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Physics
55%
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Top 10 Skills
Repairing
73%
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
73%
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control
68%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring
68%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking
65%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance
65%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis
65%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Equipment Selection
63%
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking
63%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Finger Dexterity
73%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity
73%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Problem Sensitivity
73%
The 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.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
70%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Control Precision
70%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Deductive Reasoning
70%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Hearing Sensitivity
70%
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Multilimb Coordination
70%
The 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.
Extent Flexibility
68%
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Top 10 Work Activities
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
84%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Getting Information
80%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
77%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
76%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
75%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
73%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording Information
73%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
73%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Performing General Physical Activities
72%
Performing 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.
Detailed Work Activities
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Repair defective engines or engine components.
Measure distances or dimensions.
Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Rebuild parts or components.
Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
Align equipment or machinery.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Dismantle heavy equipment or machinery.
Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
Monitor resources.
Service green vehicles to make repairs or maintain good working order.
Measure equipment outputs.
Grind parts to required dimensions.
Work Context
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
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.
Conventional
48%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
34%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
24%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social
15%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
89%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
88%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Dependability
85%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Stress Tolerance
84%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Analytical Thinking
80%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Integrity
80%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Initiative
78%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Independence
76%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Persistence
76%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Leadership
75%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Work Values
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
62%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
50%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
