County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to perform maintenance and repairs on County operated drawbridges and associated equipment; to use machine tools in effecting mechanical repairs; to identify the source of mechanical or electrical failures; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Bridge Mechanics, under the supervision of the Assistant Bridge Superintendent, maintain and repair single and double leaf bascule and vertical lift bridges. Incumbents perform electrical and mechanical maintenance, trouble shooting, repair and installations. Certain position are also responsible for the preservation of the structures and coatings of the bridges. Bridge Mechanics operate drawbridges when required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Installs, overhauls, adjusts and repairs a variety of electrical and mechanical equipment necessary to maintain County operated drawbridges in a serviceable and safe operating condition.

2. Does trouble shooting to locate source of electrical or mechanical failure and performs maintenance tasks such as greasing and cleaning traffic gates and barriers, locking mechanisms, air buffers, limit switches, racks, pinions, and trunnions on bridges; change filters, services control panels, cleans electrical relays and contacts, maintains inter-communication systems, replaces lights, and tests electrical circuits; maintains a variety of electric motors, sump pumps, hydraulic systems and other equipment.

3. Performs repairs and modifications to, and installation of electrical equipment requiring the ability to work from complex blueprints and schematics.

4. Performs general machine shop work requiring skill with a wide variety of machine tools, such as power lathes, drill presses, and grinders, and uses welding, brazing and soldering equipment.

5. Reports electrical and mechanical problems or unusual occurrences to the Assistant Bridge Superintendent and makes oral or written reports.

6. Is on 24-hour call in case of emergency requiring immediate bridge repairs.

7. Performs duties as bridge tender when required.


Structures and Coatings Option:

In addition to the above duties, incumbents in these positions are also responsible for:

1. Preserves and maintains four movable span bridges by cleaning, descaling, hydro-blasting and painting structural members and appurtenances; erects staging and scaffolding often in high open or confined spaces; works in a variety of conditions such as over water, traffic, heavy machinery and in different kinds of weather.

2. Investigates and locates problems in steel structures of bridges; repairs damage to steel caused by rust; uses various chemicals, varnishes, shellacs and paints; safely stores and utilizes hazardous materials such as thinners, solvents, epoxys, and acids; mixes colors in proper proportions; repairs, remodels and paints buildings and structures.

3. Maintains paint shop and keeps equipment in good working order; operates spray guns and other mechanical painting equipment; operates hydro-blaster, drill presses, grinders, electric saw, and concrete finishing tools; operates marine vessel when working over water.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of three years’ journey-level experience in any of the following areas: Manufacture, assembly, operation, maintenance, repair or installation of heavy industrial electro-mechanical equipment (such as electric-motors over 25 H.P., large cranes or elevators, etc.).

Surface and Coating Option:

Either I

Successful completion of an accredited apprenticeship in the painting trade,

And

The equivalent of three years of full-time journey-level experience painting specializing in the preservation of metal structures and surfaces. Experience should include a working knowledge of maintenance, repair and installation of heavy electro-mechanical equipment.

The equivalent of four years’ full-time journey-level experience in the painting and preservation of metal structures and surfaces. Experience should include a working knowledge of the maintenance, repair and installation of heavy electro-mechanical equipment.


License:

1. Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

2. Must qualify for a Federal Communications Commission Restricted Radio-telephone Operator permit.

Special Requirement:

Must have normal hearing and eyesight, including depth perception and freedom from color and night blindness.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, tools and equipment used in the skilled trades necessary for the maintenance and repair of all phases of bridge equipment, electrical installations and machinery.
• Safety practices applicable to electrical and mechanical maintenance, marine traffic and when performing work upon road and waterways.
• Regulations governing the operation of drawbridges.
• Provisions of the National Electrical Code.

Abilities:

• Learn the detailed operation of bridge machinery, electrical systems and pertinent maintenance methods.
• Read electrical and mechanical blueprints and schematics.
• Act quickly and judiciously in emergency situations.
• Keep detailed records of equipment operation and maintenance work performed.
• Learn the operation of all county operated drawbridges.
• Work with little or no supervision.
• Operate machine tools and equipment used in mechanical repairs, such as lathes, drill presses, band saws, welders and to use hand tools skillfully in making complex repairs to bridge structural members.
• Utilize all types of electrical test meters and equipment.
• Climb stairs, ladders and open bridge structures. To work in open steel structures at heights up to 180 feet and in counterweight pit areas to 40 feet below the estuary water level.
• Supervise and train Bridge Utility Workers and Bridge Tenders.
• Learn the operation and procedures necessary for marine radio telephone.
• Oral communication.
• Written communication.

Surfaces and Coatings Option:

In addition to the above knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of:

• Practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in the painting trades, including the preparation of surfaces, the application of paints and paint products, the use and care of brushes and equipment, and the mixing and matching of paints and paint products.
• Safety procedures.
• Stage equipment.

Abilities:

• Using the materials, tools and equipment of the painting trade.
• Harmonizing and matching colors.
• Assembling stage equipment including ladders, scaffolding and swing stages.
• Working from high scaffolding under adverse weather conditions.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:lfm
Revised: 10/80
TAT:pb
Revised: 8/05/86
TAT:pb
Revised: 1/25/90
Old document: 0896h
New document: Jobspecs/9617
ys/11/01
CSC Date: 1/31/90

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.