Auto Mechanic

Auto Mechanics, under supervision, overhaul, repair and maintain engines, motors and motor-powered equipment, component assemblies, and component systems used in automotive, construction and special purpose equipment powered by internal combustion engines. They act as “troubleshooters” in determining mechanical and electrical defects; overhaul, maintain and repair internal combustion engines, motors and motor-powered equipment, including brake systems, transmissions, ignition systems, rear ends, differential assemblies, fuel systems, hydraulic systems, electronic systems, and other related components and systems; align wheels and repair steering equipment; reline and adjust brakes and clutches; make minor repairs and adjustments in the field so that a vehicle may be returned to the garage or repair shop under its own power; may transmit orders to other journeymen as directed; may supervise machinist helpers, automotive service workers, and other personnel as directed; train assigned machinist helpers, automotive service workers, or other related personnel in the performance of various maintenance and/or repair tasks; may make minor auto body repairs; may prepare reports and orders, and maintain records and inventories of parts, components, supplies and materials; operate and test motor vehicles and equipment in the performance of assigned duties. All Auto Mechanics perform related work.
Special Working Conditions:
Auto Mechanics may be required to work various shifts including nights, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Some of the physical activities performed by Auto Mechanics and environmental conditions experienced are: working in a non-temperature controlled environment; climbing ladders; moving heavy automotive parts; carrying heavy tool boxes; crawling and working in narrow spaces; working in the vicinity of hazardous, flammable materials and solvents and engine exhaust fumes. (This is a brief description of what you might do in this position and does not include all the duties of this position.)

Eligibility To Take Examination:
This examination is open to each employee of an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services who on the first date of the multiple-choice test:
1. holds a permanent (not provisional) competitive appointment or appears on a Preferred List (see Note, below) for the title of Automotive Service Worker or Machinist’s Helper; and
2. is not otherwise ineligible.

(Note: A "Preferred List" is a civil service list which is only for certain former permanent employees of the eligible title who have rehiring rights.) This examination is also open to employees who were appointed to an eligible title pursuant to New York State Civil Service Law, section 55-a, and who meet all other eligibility requirements. If you do not know if you are eligible, check with your agency's personnel office. You may be given the test before we verify your eligibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for this examination before submitting your application. If it is determined before the test date that you are not eligible to participate in this examination, you will not receive an Admission Notice to take the multiple-choice test, you will not be permitted into the test site, and your application fee will not be refunded. If it is determined after the test date that you are not eligible to participate in this examination, your application fee will not be refunded and you will not receive a score.

Eligibility To Be Promoted:
In order to be eligible for promotion, you must have completed your probationary period in the eligible title as indicated in the above "Eligibility To Take Examination" section, and you must be permanently employed in the eligible title or your name must appear on a Preferred List for the eligible title at the time of promotion. Additionally, you must have served permanently in the eligible title for at least one year, unless your probationary period in that eligible title has been waived pursuant to Rule 5.2.4 of the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York. However, pursuant to Civil Service Law § 52(10)(b), effective September 4, 2024, time served as a provisional appointee in an eligible title will be credited toward the one-year requirement to be promoted if, after September 4, 2024, you received a permanent appointment to the eligible title immediately following the provisional appointment.

The multiple-choice test will be given at a computer terminal. A score of at least 70% is required to pass this test. Your score on this test will determine 85% of your final score. Your seniority will determine the remaining 15%. You must pass the multiple-choice test to have your seniority credited. Your seniority score will be 70 plus 1/2 point for each three months of completed, permanent, continuous service with an agency under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services in competitive class titles. Your service will be credited through the date of the test, up to a maximum of 15 years. Time served prior to a break in service of more than one year will not be credited. The multiple-choice test is designed to assess the extent to which candidates have certain knowledge and abilities determined to be important to the performance of the tasks of an Auto Mechanic. Task areas to be tested are as follows: repair work; basic principles and research; diagnostics; safety and ethics; reports; supervision/training; driving; and other related areas. The test may include questions on operating principles of internal combustion engines and automotive components; electrical and electronic principles and systems; repair, maintenance and troubleshooting of transmissions, steering and suspension, brakes, cooling and heating, ignition, fuel, hydraulic and other automotive systems; proper selection and use of tools and equipment (shop and diagnostic); proper safety practices; automotive inspections and emissions testing; New York State Department of Motor Vehicle operating rules; standards of proper employee ethical conduct, including the provisions of Mayor's Executive Order No. 16 of 1978, as amended; and other related areas. The test may also include questions requiring the use of any of the following abilities: Deductive Reasoning: applying general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when testing to prove failure of a system. Inductive Reasoning: combining separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when drawing conclusions about a gasoline “no start.” Information Ordering: following correctly a rule or set of rules or actions in a certain order. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when conducting “pin point” tests. Mathematical Reasoning: understanding and organizing a problem and then selecting a mathematical method or formula to solve the problem. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when determining values of older vehicles. Number Facility: adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing quickly and correctly. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when completing timekeeping records. Problem Sensitivity: being able to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when determining whether to replace or repair. Written Comprehension: understanding written sentences and paragraphs. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when researching vehicle histories. Written Expression: using English words or sentences in writing so that others will understand. Example: An Auto Mechanic may use this ability when maintaining records of daily work activities. Certain questions may need to be answered on the basis of documents or other information supplied to the candidates on the date of the multiple-choice exam. There will also be a qualifying practical test. Candidates who pass the multiple-choice test and meet the eligibility requirements will be scheduled to take the qualifying practical test. The qualifying practical test may assess your ability to: troubleshoot, adjust, diagnose, repair and replace faulty automotive components; use automotive test equipment; and perform other related tasks. A score of at least 70% is required to pass the q