Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Onet SOC Code 49-3031.00
Career Description:
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul trucks, buses, and all types of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile diesel engines.
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.
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, and 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.
Repair and adjust seats, doors, and windows, and install and repair accessories.
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.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
Diesel mechanics should have a strong mechanical aptitude as well as good problem-solving skills. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online. After graduating from high school, it is recommended that a student attend a formal diesel mechanic training program. This training provides a foundation in the latest diesel technology and instruction in the service and repair of the vehicles and equipment that mechanics will encounter on the job. Courses normally last 48 weeks or 1500 clock hours. Courses include heavy duty drivetrains, brake systems, diesel engine principles, hydraulic system repair, diesel fuel system, computer diagnosis and troubleshooting, engine component testing, and electrical testing.
Problem Sensitivity - 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.
Information Ordering - The 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).
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Performing General Physical Activities - 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.
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.
Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Independence - 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.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Independence - Workers on this job do their work alone.
Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
Achievement - Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.
Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
Compensation - Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers.
Responsibility - Workers on this job make decisions on their own.
Achievement-Mean Extent - 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.
Ability Utilization - Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.
Working Conditions-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
Database information © Onet Online