NJ Civil Service Navigator

AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC (Code 59925)

Code: 59925 State Competitive Range: C17 (FY 2027)
Salary: $54,672.91 - $79,523.11/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

To land Automotive Mechanic in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.

The one gate is 2 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $54,673 and $79,523, and state payroll currently lists about 172 people in the title, led by Transportation.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

See every real route in, and where to apply. 6 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.

See all 6 employers and how to apply →

Who employs this title

Automotive Mechanic appears on the State payroll at 8 departments, most of them at Department of Transportation.

State departments

Employer Employees
Department of Transportation 90
Department of Treasury 44
Department of Law & Public Safety 32
Department of Environmental Protection 2
Department of Human Services 1
Motor Vehicle Commission 1
Military Affairs 1
Veterans Affairs 1

All agencies.

State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 172 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $69,631. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Transportation (90)
  • Treasury (44)
  • Law and Public Safety (32)
  • Environmental Protection (2)

Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of the Crew Supervisor, Mechanics or other supervisor in a state department, institution, or agency, performs maintenance and repairs on various types of motor vehicles and equipment; does other related work.

Examples of work

  • In a garage and/or in the field, performs maintenance and repair on gasoline and diesel motor vehicles, including special purpose vehicles and associated equipment, motorcycles, autos, trucks, graders, cranes, mechanical shovels, leaders, bulldozers, tractors, power mowers, snow plows, rollers, compressors, concrete mixers, spreaders, pumps, jacks, jack hammers, landscape equipment and shop equipment, tools, and assessories.
  • Performs preventive maintenance on motor vehicles and equipment, including inspecting safety items, checking for deficiencies, tune- ups, oil changes, lubrication, filter changes, spark plug and point replacement.
  • Diagnoses computerized fuel management systems, computerized ignition systems, and computerized engine timing by using highly sophisticated electronic equipment to determine and perform needed repairs.
  • Repairs and adjusts electrical sensors, E.G.R. valves, and computerized electrical systems according to automotive and Federal Government Clean Air Standards.
  • Inspects new motor vehicles and new equipment to determine conformance with plans, specifications, and appropriate manuals.
  • Repair fenders and other body parts and tightens chassis.
  • Removes, repairs, and/or replaces assemblies (engines, transmissions, axles) subassemblies (cylinder heads, oil pumps, fan belts, generators, starters, gauges) and other parts (tie rods, drag links, ball joints, brake linings, bearings) on motor vehicles and equipment.
  • Changes and maintains storage batteries.
  • Changes and repair tires and inner tubes on cars, truck, and trailer.
  • Welds broken assemblies, subassemblies, and/or other part, and perform simple blacksmithing tasks as required.
  • Obtains, stores, records, safeguards, and properly uses equipment, materials, parts, and other supplies; maintains shop and work area in a clean and organized manner.
  • Prepares reports and records of time spent, materials, and parts used, and work completed.
  • Uses test equipment to detect, adjust, and/or correct deficiencies on motor vehicles and equipment, including checking and adjusting headlights, caster and camber, hydrocarbon emissions, and timing and dwell.
  • Diagnoses inoperative motor vehicles and equipment to determine the cause of malfunction and take corrective action.
  • Repairs, rebuilds, and overhauls assemblies and subassemblies from motor vehicles and equipment, including engines (gasoline and diesel), transmission (manuals and automatic), electrical components (alternators, generators, and starters) hydraulic components ( pumps), and carburetors.
  • Performs adjustments on motor vehicle equipment and their assemblies to conform to maintenance manual specifications, including valves, ignition systems, brakes, and clutches.
  • IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS may be required to act as Team Leader and provide appropriate onsite work assignments to a group of assigned inmates.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

<b>TRAINING</b>

Successful completion of one (1) year of training in automotive technology at an accredited community college or vocational school.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience as a mechanic in the repair and installation of motors and the maintenance and repair of motorized vehicles and equipment.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required year of formal training may substitute one (1) additional year of experience as outlined above.

An Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in one of the following specialties from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence may be substituted for the formal training: A-1 Engine Repair, A-6 Electrical/Electronic Systems, A-8 Engine Performance.

In the Department of Law and Public Safety, an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in Automobile Advanced Engine Performance and Diagnosis may be substituted for the formal training.

<b>LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS</b>

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Appointees may also be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles operated, rests with the Appointing Authority.

Appointees in the Department of Transportation will be required to obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and applicable endorsement(s) within six (6) months of appointment. The inability of a Department of Transportation employee to attain a CDL and necessary endorsements within six (6) months of hire shall constitute grounds for removal.

In accordance with Federal regulation 82:40, appointees responsible for the repair or servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners are required to possess and maintain a valid Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Certification, commensurate with the type of equipment serviced, issued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

In accordance with NJSA 13:20-47.15, appointees responsible for performing emissions inspections on diesel-powered vehicles are required to successfully complete a course of instruction on Diesel Emission Inspection provided through the Appointing Authority. Appointees may be required to successfully complete re- training.

In accordance with the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation 29 CFR 1910.178(l) (1), appointees responsible for the operation of industrial trucks (powered forklifts) will be required to obtain and maintain a current certification as a Powered Industrial Truck Operator issued by the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Appointees may be required to successfully complete re-training.

In accordance with NJSA 13:20-45.16, appointees responsible for performing emissions repairs to gasoline-fueled vehicles are required to possess and maintain a current certification as an Emissions Repairer Technician.

In accordance with NJSA 13:20-43.17, appointees responsible for performing emissions inspections to motor vehicles are required to possess and maintain a current certification as a Motor Vehicle Emissions Inspector.

Appointees responsible for repairing or servicing motor vehicles equipped for alternate fuel are required to successfully complete training and maintain a valid Alternate Fuel Certification. Appointees who possess an ASE Certification in Alternate Fuel are considered to have met this requirement.

Appointees at the Departments of Treasury and Law and Public Safety are required to successfully complete factory training in computerized electronics, factory diagnostics and testing equipment, provided through the Appointing Authority by the manufacturer.

Appointees at the Department of the Treasury are required to possess and maintain an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in Brake Repairs. Appointees may also be required to obtain ASE certifications in Engine Repair A-1 and Engine Performance A-8.

Affected appointees are required to maintain valid certifications, and successfully complete the re-certification processes within the timeframes mandated by statute.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of automotive tools and equipment.

Knowledge of the techniques utilized in the operation of computerized diagnostic equipment.

Knowledge of automotive preventative maintenance techniques.

Knowledge of the techniques used in the repair of motorized vehicles and equipment.

Ability to read and understand maintenance and parts manuals, maintenance and wiring diagrams, schematics, and other written instructions related to the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and equipment.

Ability to complete maintenance reports and records.

Ability to inspect inoperative motor vehicles and equipment, diagnose the cause of malfunction, and perform repairs to operationally restore the motor vehicles or equipment.

Ability to use tools and test equipment properly to inspect, adjust, repair, replace, rebuild, overhaul, and/or correct assemblies, subassemblies and other parts on motor vehicles and equipment.

Ability to utilize computerized test equipment to properly diagnose malfunctions.

Ability to analyze maintenance and repair problems associated with motor vehicles and equipment.

Ability to perform maintenance and repairs in a garage and/or the field, in conformance with the specifications contained in the applicable maintenance manuals, diagrams, and/or instructions.

Ability to inspect new motor vehicles and equipment to determine conformance with the applicable plans, specifications, and maintenance manuals.

Ability to service, adjust, overhaul, repair, rebuild and/or install assemblies, subassemblies, accessories, and parts related to motor vehicles and equipment.

Ability to read and interpret maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, and parts manuals.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

CODES: 16/C17 - MER 01/17/09 16/C15 -