How to hire a diesel mechanic helper

How to hire a diesel mechanic helper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step diesel mechanic helper hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a diesel mechanic helper job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new diesel mechanic helper
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a diesel mechanic helper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a diesel mechanic helper to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a diesel mechanic helper that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of diesel mechanic helpers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Diesel Mechanic Helper	Description	Hourly rate
   Diesel Mechanic Helper	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$16-29
   Truck Technician	Truck technicians are skilled employees who are responsible for working and inspecting the mechanical parts of trucks such as the engine, wheels, accelerator, and brakes. These technicians must use specialized instruments and tools to diagnose problems and repair parts... Show more	$15-28
   Shop Technician	Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Diesel Engines
   • Oil Changes
   • A/C
   • Diesel Vehicles
   • Brake Systems
   • Air Brakes
   • Hand Tools
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Parts Replacement
   • Diesel Trucks
   • DOT
   • Semi Trucks
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Hydraulic Pumps

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
   • Raise heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
   • Raise trucks, buses, and heavy parts or equipment by using hydraulic jacks or hoists.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Perform maintenance and repair on Volvo, GMC, and Isuzu trucks, as well as other makes.
   • Certify in Peterbilt and Volvo electrical and a/c systems

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your diesel mechanic helper job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A diesel mechanic helper salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, diesel mechanic helpers' average salary in south carolina is 34% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level diesel mechanic helpers earn 44% less than senior-level diesel mechanic helpers.
   • Certifications. A diesel mechanic helper with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a diesel mechanic helper's salary.

   Average diesel mechanic helper salary

   $46,733yearly

   $22.47 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level diesel mechanic helper salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a diesel mechanic helper job description

   A diesel mechanic helper job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a diesel mechanic helper job description:

   Diesel mechanic helper job description example

   **Freeport-McMoRan** is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. We operate large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum. The company has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry. Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers, the world's largest producer of molybdenum and a significant gold producer. We have a long and successful history of conducting our business in a safe, highly efficient and socially-responsible manner.
   
   We have the assets, the talent, the drive and the financial strength to provide attractive and rewarding careers of our employees. We encourage you to take the time to explore the opportunity to advance your career at Freeport-McMoRan.
   **Description**
   
   Skilled Mechanic who, under direct supervision, safely performs diagnostic, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment such as, but not limited to: haul trucks, water trucks, rubber tire and track dozers, front-end loaders, and motor graders.
   
   + Assist with and perform the removal, repair and installation of transmissions, engines, brakes, differentials, pumps, motors, torque converters, final drives and other heavy equipment systems or components
   
   + Perform mechanical and lubrication preventative maintenance on machine systems such as: hydraulic, power train and engines
   
   + May perform welding such as: Carbon ARC, Plasma, MIG, TIG, and Stick
   
   + May operate equipment such as: overhead cranes, forklifts, and boom trucks
   
   + Responsible for maintaining work orders, a clean and safe work area and performing work area inspections
   
   + Perform other duties as required
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Minimum Qualifications**
   
   + One (1) year of experience in Heavy Equipment mechanical/maintenance **or** a combination of education and experience in industrial mechanical repair and maintenance
   
   + Ability to read and use schematics
   
   + Possesses knowledge of machine systems, such as, hydraulic, power train, and engines
   
   **Preferred**
   
   + High School diploma or GED
   
   **Criteria/Conditions**
   
   + Ability to understand and apply verbal and written work and safety-related instructions and procedures given in English
   
   + Ability to communicate in English with respect to job assignments, job procedures, and applicable safety standards
   
   + Must be able to work in a potentially stressful environment
   
   + Work is performed in a mine or manufacturing plant setting, which may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, toxic chemicals, explosives, fumes or airborne particles
   
   + Will be required to work rotating shifts in a 24/7/365 operation
   
   + While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, work on elevated platforms, talk, hear, see and work in confined spaces
   
   + Occasionally may be asked required to life moderately heavy to heavy objects up to fifty (50) pounds during the course of the workday
   
   + Personal protective equipment is required when performing work in a mine, outdoor, manufacturing or plant environment, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and as needed, respirator, rubber steel-toe boots, protective clothing, gloves and any other protective equipment as required
   
   + Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going random drug testing as per applicable State Laws
   
   Freeport-McMoRan has reviewed the jobs at its various office and operating sites and determined that many of these jobs require employees to perform essential job functions that pose a direct threat to the safety or health of the employees performing these tasks or others. Accordingly, the Company has designated the following positions as safety-sensitive:
   
   + Site-based positions, or positions which require unescorted access to site-based operational areas, which are held by employees who are required to receive MSHA, OSHA, DOT, HAZWOPER and/or Hazard Recognition Training; or
   
   + Positions which are held by employees who operate equipment, machinery or motor vehicles in furtherance of performing the essential functions of their job duties, including operating motor vehicles while on Company business or travel (for this purpose "motor vehicles" includes Company owned or leased motor vehicles and personal motor vehicles used by employees in furtherance of Company business or while on Company travel); or
   
   + Positions which Freeport-McMoRan has designated as safety sensitive positions in the applicable job or position description and which upon further review continue to be designated as safety-sensitive based on an individualized assessment of the actual duties performed by a specifically identified employee.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability
   
   **Nearest Major Market:** Safford
   
   **Job Segment:** Front End, Electrical, Plasma, Hydraulics, Mining, Technology, Science, Engineering

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right diesel mechanic helper for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your diesel mechanic helper job on Zippia to find and recruit diesel mechanic helper candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting diesel mechanic helpers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new diesel mechanic helper

   Once you've found the diesel mechanic helper candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new diesel mechanic helper first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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