Automotive Specialty Technicians

Description

Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.

Tasks

Examine vehicles, compile estimates of repair costs, and secure customers' approval to perform repairs.
Repair, overhaul, or adjust automobile brake systems.
Troubleshoot fuel, ignition, and emissions control systems, using electronic testing equipment.
Repair or replace defective ball joint suspensions, brake shoes, or wheel bearings.
Inspect and test new vehicles for damage and record findings so that necessary repairs can be made.
Test electronic computer components in automobiles to ensure proper operation.
Tune automobile engines to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
Install or repair air conditioners and service components, such as compressors, condensers, and controls.
Repair, replace, or adjust defective fuel injectors, carburetor parts, and gasoline filters.
Remove and replace defective mufflers and tailpipes.
Repair or replace automobile leaf springs.
Rebuild, repair, or test automotive fuel injection units.
Align wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automobiles, using special alignment equipment and wheel-balancing machines.
Install, adjust, or repair hydraulic or electromagnetic automatic lift mechanisms used to raise and lower automobile windows, seats, and tops.
Repair or rebuild clutch systems.
Convert vehicle fuel systems from gasoline to butane gas operations and repair and service operating butane fuel units.
Change spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, and batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
Conduct visual inspections of compressed natural gas fuel systems to identify cracks, gouges, abrasions, discoloration, broken fibers, loose brackets, damaged gaskets, or other problems.
Diagnose and repair regenerative braking systems or hydraulic systems in hybrid vehicles.
Diagnose and replace or repair engine management systems or related sensors for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) with ignition timing, fuel rate, alcohol concentration, or air-to-fuel ratio malfunctions.
Inspect propane or natural gas high-pressure tanks, piping, or pressure regulators.
Replace hydraulically assisted systems with electric-powered systems, such as power steering pumps or air conditioning compressors, to improve fuel economy.
Retrofit vehicle fuel systems with aftermarket products, such as vapor transfer devices, evaporation control devices, swirlers, lean burn devices, or friction reduction devices, to enhance combustion and fuel efficiency.
Service biodiesel fuel tanks for algae or sludge accumulation by cleaning, changing filters, or adding algaecides.
Service internal combustion engine systems for hybrid electric vehicles.

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Skills

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Work Context

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled: How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls: How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Frequency of Decision Making: How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Exposed to Contaminants: How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable: How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings: How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions: How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body: How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results: How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Achievement/Effort: Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance: Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Analytical Thinking: Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Work Values

Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Related Occupations

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Automotive Master Mechanics

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers

Lay Titles

Aerial Installer

Air Conditioning Specialist

Air Conditioning Technician (A/C Technician)

Air-Conditioning Mechanic

Alignment Specialist

Antenna Installer

Antenna Specialist

Audio Installer

Auto Accessories Installer

Auto Air Conditioning Apprentice

Auto Air Conditioning Installer

Auto Air Conditioning Mechanic

Auto Brake Mechanic

Auto Brake Technician

Auto Engine Mechanic

Auto Headlight Mechanic

Auto Heater Mechanic

Auto Mechanic

Auto Mechanic Apprentice

Auto Radiator Mechanic

Auto Radiator Specialist

Auto Service Mechanic

Auto Wheel Alignment Specialist

Automatic Transmission Mechanic

Automatic Window Seat and Top Lift Repairer

Automobile Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)

Automobile Radiator Mechanic

Automobile Service Advisor

Automobile Service Station Mechanic

Automotive Accessory Installer

Automotive Cooling System Diagnostic Technician

Automotive Repair Technician

Automotive Technician (Auto Technician)

Automotive Worker

Block Mechanic

Body Wirer

Brake Adjuster

Brake Drum Lathe Operator

Brake Liner

Brake Reliner

Brake Repairer

Brake Shoe Rebuilder

Brake Specialist

Brake Technician

Brakeman

Carburetor Expert

Carburetor Mechanic

Carburetor Rebuilder

Carburetor Specialist

Chassis Mechanic

Chassis Wirer

Clutch Mechanic

Clutch Rebuilder

Clutch Specialist

Cylinder Block Mechanic

Drivability Technician

Electrical Technician

Engine Mechanic

Floorperson

Frameman

Framer

Front End Alignment Specialist

Front End Mechanic

Front End Specialist

Front End Technician

Fuel Injection Servicer

Hand Spring Repairer

Headlight Adjuster

Heater Installer

Heavy Line Technician

Hydramatic Mechanic

Hydramatic Specialist

Hydraulic Mechanic

Hydraulic Specialist

Ignition Expert

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $17.6 hourly, $36,610 annual.

Employment (2008):: 596,830 employees