Job Details

Salary : $92,144.00 Annually
Location : CA 92058, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY2026-00025
Department: Bus Operations Division
Division: BUS OPERATIONS & FLEET MAINTENANCE
Opening Date: 09/03/2025
Closing Date: 9/26/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor, the primary responsibilities of the Body Technician III are to inspect, remove, repair, paint, and adjust metal, fiberglass, and glass components on buses, and all other types of NCTD revenue vehicles.
Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is distinguished by its ability to perform skilled journeyman level work using sound cost-effective judgement. This position has a high degree of independence while inspecting and repairing damaged bodies, frames, and structural parts of revenue vehicles. This is a bargained position represented by the Teamsters Local 542 Union. Per the union agreement, the starting salary rate will be $44.30/hour.
Supervision Received and Exercised
This position reports to the Maintenance Supervisor. This position exercises no supervisory authority. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert maintenance knowledge.
Working Conditions
This position is required to work under varying climactic conditions including heat and cold due to the open garage doors. Most of the shift is spent standing and completing tasks requiring fine-grained motor skills. The remaining time may be spent bending, stooping, and crouching. Occasionally, you will be required to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. This position will be required to work various shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Repairs damaged bodies and body parts of revenue buses using a variety of hand and power tools following blueprints, specifications, diagrams, and repair manuals
• Examines damage to vehicles and estimates cost of repairs.
• Conducts self-directed diagnosis, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis. Develop corrective measures based on conclusions of root cause analysis.
• Straightens body panels, bent frames, supporting structures and other parts damaged in accidents
• Removes damaged parts, including panels, and floors, using wrenches and cutting tools
• Bolts, rivets, and welds replacement parts in position
• Files, grinds, sands, and paints repaired surfaces, including Bondo patches
• Removes upholstery, accessories, electrical and hydraulic systems, window, and seat assemblies and trim to allow access to damaged body structure
• Adjusts headlights, aligns frames and suspensions after repair of body

Qualifications

Experience/Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of experience in heavy duty vehicle repair and maintenance.
• Two (2) years of experience performing repair of heavy vehicle or automotive bodies and related parts and structures OR completion of a 2-year program from accredited school in auto/truck body repair.
• Associate degree relevant to work with heavy equipment and/or automotive body work is preferred.
• Four (4) years of experience working with automotive, bus, or heavy-duty mechanics at a transit agency is preferred.

Certificates/Licenses

• Must be able to obtain a Commercial Class B or higher commercial driver's license with passenger and air brakes endorsements within 6 months of employment
• Must be able to obtain and maintain access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Ability to obtain a forklift certification within 6 months of hiring.

General Requirements

• Knowledge of advanced theories, principles, and practices in the repair of revenue bus bodies, frames, and structural parts
• Repair revenue bus bodies, frames, and structural parts
• Ability to apply automotive paint to body panels, parts, and/ or entire vehicle body
• Read, understand, and apply blueprints, diagrams, and specifications
• Assess cost of repairs
• Safely operate NCTD vehicles and equipment
• Exhibits a friendly, professional, and customer-service oriented demeanor continuously.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills to deal competently with individuals at all levels of responsibility and authority.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic schematics.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply service manuals from a variety of manufacturers including New Flyer, Cummins, Vansco, Ford, Chevrolet, etc.
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task, and organize workflow to deliver high-quality products within established deadlines.
• Use hand tools, power tools, shop tools, and equipment in a safe and proper manner.
• Collaborative and flexible "can-do" attitude with a willingness to perform even the most basic tasks. Apply personal attention to detail and take pride in "going the extra mile" to achieve success.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including knowledge of the structure and content of the English language such as the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar. Superior writing and proof-reading skills.

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements

This position must have the ability to withstand a range of climactic conditions; ability to occasionally lift objects up to 50 pounds; ability to remain standing for a majority of the shift and complete the required movements such as reaching, pushing, bending, stooping, crouching, and repetitive manual tasks necessary to complete repairs.
Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to safely operate various hand and power tools and equipment, including wrenches, cutting torches, welding equipment, hydraulic jacks, and sanders
• Ability to safely operate buses, tow trucks, and other NCTD vehicles
• Ability to operate standard office equipment
• Must have a full set of journey level hand and body shop tools to accomplish assigned work

NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Retirement: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with a benefit formula of 1.5% @ 65 for PEPRA new members. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS and the average of your monthly compensation over the past 36 months (36 months average highest hourly pay rate).

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: NCTD offers a Voluntary Deferred Compensation Savings Plan through VOYA Financial Services. Employees are eligible to enroll any time after the date of hire. The plan allows you to contribute pre-tax and/or post-tax dollars into selected funds of your choice. The plan also allows you to:

• Contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
• Catch-up plan for those 50+ of up to amount specified annually by the IRS
• Is portable, can be rolled over into another qualified retirement plan
• Employer match into a 401(a) account (50% up to 8% of employee compensation; Max NCTD contribution of 4%)

Medical Insurance: NCTD offers a rich variety of HMO and PPO plans to choose from and contributes towards your monthly medical premiums, if the coverage you select costs more than the amount NCTD contributes, then payroll deductions will be withheld on a pre-tax basis. Premium rates may vary across bargaining units in accordance with the terms of their respective collective bargaining agreement.

Dental Insurance: NCTD offers two different dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents (HMO and PPO) from a reliable dental insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plans. Both plans are part of NCTD's cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums).

Vision Insurance: NCTD offers vision services for employees and their eligible dependents through a reliable vision insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plan. The plan is part of NCTD's cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums).

Life Insurance: NCTD cares for its employees and thus provides at no cost to the employee group life insurance in the amount of $50,000 (coverage includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Accelerated Death benefits). Additional life insurance is available for you and your eligible dependents at your expense. * Tax reporting is required for any amounts over $50,000, per IRS guidelines. Supplemental life insurance coverage premiums are deducted on a post-tax basis.

Long Term Disability Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. You may elect units of $100 up to 60% of your hourly wage to a maximum of $6,000/month. Deductions are post-tax, coverage 24/7, limitations or exclusions, and benefits are payable to age 65 or for two years (whichever is longer).

Flexible Spending Account Plan: NCTD offers two core FSA plans and two Commuter plans. Health Care and Dependent Care plans are "Use It OR Lose It" calendar year plans (Jan. 1st - Dec. 31st). The Commuter Transit and Parking plans do not have a "use it or lose it" policy. Plans are as follows:

• Health Care Spending Account:
  • May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
• Dependent Care Spending Account:
  • May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS (including limitations if married)
• Commuter Transit Accounts:
  • May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS

Disability Insurance: Employees contribute to California State Disability Insurance (SDI). The current contribution rate is 1.1% of earnings and is totally paid by the employee. After the 7-day waiting period, SDI pays a percentage of employee's salary up to a maximum of $1,540.00per week, for up to 52 weeks. SDI may be coordinated with Paid Time Off (PTO).

Accident Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary accident insurance. You may elect coverage for you and your dependents for a flat monthly rate. Deductions are post-tax.

Critical Illness Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Critical Illness insurance. You may elect coverage up to $10,000 in increments of $2,500, for you and between $2,500 - $5,000 for your dependents, not to exceed 50% of coverage amount. Deductions are post-tax.

Administrative Holidays: 6 recognized paid holidays per year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Vacation: Upon completion of one (1) year continuous service, all permanent full-time employees will accrue vacation hours based on the following listed below. Vacation amounts will be awarded on January 1 of each year.

1 year of service - 40 hours (3.33 hours per month)

2 - 4 years of service - 80 hours (6.66 hours per month)

5 - 9 years of service - 120 hours (10 hours per month)

10 + years of service - 160 hours (13.33 hours per month)

Personal Holidays: Employees will be given personal holidays on their anniversary date, and each January 1 thereafter, based on the following schedule:

After one (1) year of service - one (1) personal holiday

After three (3) years of service - two (2) personal holidays

Sick Leave: Upon completion of one (1) year continuous service, and each year thereafter, permanent regular full-time maintenance employees shall be granted paid sick leave on their anniversary date (adjusted date of hire) each year based on the following schedule:

1 year of service: 24 hours of sick leave

2 -4 years of service: 32 hours of sick leave

5 - 9 years of service: 48 hours of sick leave

10+ years of service: 72 hours of sick leave
Transportation Passes: All NCTD employees receive an identification "PRONTO Card" which can be used to ride the following NCTD/MTS transit services (BREEZE, FLEX, SPRINTER, COASTER, MTS Bus, Trolley) at no charge. Eligible family members also receive a pass for NCTD public transportation at no charge (paratransit excluded).

Bereavement Leave: NCTD offers paid bereavement leave.

Employee Assistance Plan: The EAP offers assistance in areas such as:

• Emotional Support
• Work/Life Balance
• Family Care

Family Status Change: This allows you to add/drop dependents from current benefit plan elections per IRS "Qualifying Events." If a "Qualifying Event" occurs, you MUST contact HR within 30 days of event, (Qualifying Event must relate to the benefit change you are requesting).

Please contact Human Resources should you have any questions regarding NCTD Benefits.
01

Do you have any technical schooling or training on vehicle collision repair? If so, how many?
02

Do you have vehicle painting experience? If so, how many years?

• 0-2 years
• 2-4 years
• 4+ years

03

Do you have at least 4 years of experience working with automotive, bus, or heavy-duty vehicle maintenance/repair in a transit agency setting?

• No I do not have at least 4 years of experience
• Yes, I have at least 4 years of experience
• I have more than 4 years of experience

04

This position requires working various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Are you willing and able to work this schedule?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you currently hold, or are you able to obtain within 6 months, a Commercial Class B (or higher) driver's license with passenger and air brake endorsements?

• Yes, I currently hold this license
• No, but I can obtain it within 6 months of hire
• No, I am unable to obtain this license

Required Question