Commission approves publication of amended full‑time mechanic ad, keeping Class B CDL requirement

The Merit System Commission on March 4 approved publication of an amended job advertisement for a full‑time mechanic, the panel was told.

A staff member told the commission the draft removes a strict requirement for ASC certifications and changes “3 to 5 years’ experience” from required to preferred, while keeping a Class B commercial driver’s license as required. “The only thing that we changed from the previous is that we took the ASC certifications and the 3 to 5 years experience preferred instead of, you know, requiring that,” the staff member said.

The staff member said they had discussed the changes with the shop union representative, who agreed the relaxation would make it easier to attract applicants; the staff said the commission could revisit requirements if the applicant pool was weak. “He was in the same agreement that, you know, we’re gonna struggle with trying to get applicants with that kind of requirement list…so he thought it was a good idea as well that we go this route,” the staff member said.

Members asked whether candidates could obtain certifications after hire; the staff member said certifications could be completed during the probationary period and that many local mechanics already hold the ASC credentials. The staff said the ad would run online immediately this week and that applications could be provided to the commission the following Friday, while discussion of the ad’s end date referenced March 19 and March 26 at different points in the meeting.

A committee member moved to approve the amended ad for publication; the motion was seconded and the roll call recorded unanimous approval from members present. The commission did not adopt additional hiring policy changes at the meeting; staff will proceed to publish the ad and report back if recruitment results prompt further revisions.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after approving the ad.