Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vehicle Operations Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Vehicle Operations Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient maintenance and repair of fleet vehicles and equipment. This role combines hands-on mechanical work (preventive maintenance, diagnostics, repair), compliance (DOT inspections, safety checks), and operational support (roadside assistance, telematics monitoring, parts management). The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, experienced with diesel and gasoline engines, familiar with CMMS/work-order systems, and committed to maintaining high uptime and regulatory compliance across a mixed commercial fleet.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Automotive Technician / Mechanic
Maintenance Technician / Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Vocational school graduate in Automotive Technology

Advancement To:

Fleet Supervisor / Lead Vehicle Technician
Shop Foreman / Maintenance Manager
Fleet Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Field Service Technician
Parts Coordinator / Parts Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) on light, medium, and heavy-duty fleet vehicles — including oil changes, filter replacement, lubrications, fluid top-offs, belt and hose inspections — to maximize vehicle uptime and lifecycle value.
Diagnose and repair engine, transmission, drivetrain, braking, steering and suspension systems using a combination of hands-on inspection and computerized diagnostic tools (OBD-II, J1939, OEM scan tools).
Conduct thorough DOT and pre-trip/post-trip inspections, document findings, complete required forms and ensure vehicles meet federal and state safety and emissions regulations.
Troubleshoot and repair air brake systems, ABS systems, compressors, air lines and related components to maintain safe stopping performance across heavy and transit vehicles.
Respond to roadside service calls and emergency breakdowns, perform field repairs when possible, and coordinate towing or recovery to minimize operational disruption.
Maintain electrical systems including batteries, alternators, starters, lighting, instrument clusters and wiring harnesses; perform testing and replacement as needed.
Repair and rebuild hydraulic systems, pumps, cylinders, hoses and seals on boom trucks, sweepers, loaders and other hydraulic-equipped vehicles.
Perform diagnostics and repair of emissions control systems, fuel systems (gasoline and diesel), turbochargers, injectors and fuel pumps to ensure efficient combustion and regulatory compliance.
Service, repair and replace tires, wheel bearings, hubs, and perform wheel alignments and tire balancing for fleet safety and fuel economy.
Maintain accurate records in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) or work-order system: log labor, parts used, hours, mileages and repair notes for audit and lifecycle analysis.
Order, receive and manage inventory of parts and materials; inspect incoming parts for quality and compatibility; maintain a clean, organized parts area to reduce downtime.
Fabricate, weld and modify metal components and brackets using MIG/TIG/arc equipment to support custom repairs and retrofits as required.
Execute component rebuilds (starters, alternators, pumps, calipers) and perform bench testing to save costs and extend component life.
Perform HVAC system repair and recovery on vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning units to maintain operator comfort and safety.
Implement and follow safety programs: lockout/tagout, confined space, PPE, hazardous materials handling, and shop housekeeping to maintain OSHA and company compliance.
Inspect and maintain auxiliary equipment: PTOs, lifts, winches, compressors and service bodies to ensure operational readiness.
Support vehicle upfit projects and installation of specialized equipment (telemetry, safety cameras, plows, spreaders, snow equipment) to meet operational requirements.
Collaborate with fleet managers and dispatch to prioritize repairs, recommend vehicle replacements, and communicate realistic return-to-service timelines.
Conduct roadworthiness testing and final quality checks after repairs to verify defect resolution and safe operation before returning vehicles to service.
Train drivers and junior technicians on basic vehicle checks, defect reporting, and best practices to reduce preventable failures and enhance fleet reliability.
Monitor telematics and GPS-fleet management systems for vehicle alerts, idle time, fault codes and driver behavior; interpret alerts to plan maintenance actions.
Ensure environmental and shop compliance by properly disposing of used oil, coolants, batteries and other regulated waste; maintain MSDS documentation.
Participate in root cause analysis for recurring failures, recommend and implement corrective actions to reduce repeat repairs and lifecycle costs.
Prepare detailed service estimates and communicate repair scope, parts lead-times and cost implications to fleet managers and stakeholders.
Support seasonal readiness programs (winterization, summer cooling checks) and special inspections for leasing, rental returns or pre-purchase assessments.

Secondary Functions

Assist with fleet data collection for KPI tracking (MTTF, MTTR, uptime, repair costs) and provide input for continuous improvement efforts.
Help maintain shop equipment and tooling: calibrate diagnostic tools, maintain lifts and jacks, and schedule preventative service for shop infrastructure.
Participate in cross-functional safety meetings, contribute to incident investigations and implement corrective safety measures.
Support parts procurement planning by providing usage forecasts and participating in vendor evaluations for critical parts and consumables.
Contribute to fleet policy updates regarding vehicle maintenance intervals, out-of-service criteria and repair authorization thresholds.
Coordinate with external vendors and specialty shops for complex overhauls, welding, frame straightening or emissions repairs that cannot be completed in-house.
Provide occasional driver relief or vehicle operator duties during peak demand, following all operational and safety procedures.
Assist with onboarding and mentoring of new technicians, including hands-on demonstration of diagnostic techniques and repair standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Diesel and gasoline engine diagnostics and repair (including turbocharged engines and common-rail diesel systems).
Proficient with OEM scan tools, OBD-II, J1939/J1587 diagnostic protocols and computerized troubleshooting.
Air brake and ABS system diagnosis, repair and adjustment.
Hydraulic system repair: pumps, valves, cylinders and hose assemblies.
Electrical system troubleshooting, wiring diagrams interpretation, battery and charging system testing.
Preventive maintenance processes and familiarity with PM schedules for fleet vehicles.
Experience with CMMS/work-order systems (e.g., Fleetio, FleetComplete, TMW, Maximo) and electronic maintenance records.
DOT inspection knowledge and ability to complete required regulatory documentation.
Welding and fabrication skills (MIG/TIG/Stick) and the ability to make field repairs and custom brackets.
Tire service, wheel bearing, hub and alignment experience for on-road and off-road fleets.
Familiarity with telematics, GPS fleet tracking and ELD systems for monitoring vehicle health and driver behavior.
Emissions control and fuel system repair experience (EGR, DPF, SCR, DEF systems).
Use of hand and power tools, hoists, lifts, test benches and torque equipment.
Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office for reporting and parts ordering.

Soft Skills

Strong problem-solving and logical diagnostic approach with attention to detail.
Clear verbal and written communication to explain technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
Time management and ability to prioritize repairs in a high-throughput shop environment.
Customer-service orientation when interacting with drivers, dispatchers and external vendors.
Teamwork and mentoring mindset for training junior technicians and coordinating with other trades.
Adaptability to changing priorities, seasonal peaks and emergency repairs.
Safety-first attitude and commitment to following company and regulatory safety procedures.
Dependability and strong work ethic with the ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
Continuous learning mindset to keep up with evolving vehicle technology and OEM repair procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational training in automotive or diesel technology preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, or Heavy Equipment Technology.
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications or manufacturer-specific certifications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Automotive Technology
Diesel & Heavy-Duty Truck Technology
Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance Technology
Fleet Management / Transportation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2 to 6 years of hands-on experience in vehicle maintenance and repair, with at least 1-2 years on commercial or municipal fleets recommended.

Preferred:

3+ years of fleet or heavy-duty vehicle experience, prior DOT inspection experience, ASE certifications, and experience working with telematics/CMMS platforms. CDL with appropriate endorsements is a plus.