How to hire a lift truck mechanic

How to hire a lift truck mechanic, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lift truck mechanic hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lift truck mechanic, 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

   Hiring the perfect lift truck mechanic also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of lift truck mechanics and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Lift Truck Mechanic	Description	Hourly rate
   Lift Truck Mechanic	Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine.	$13-26
   Mechanic Helper	The job of a mechanic helper is to support lead mechanics and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities. You will be assisting in the maintenance of cars, such as changing tires and oils, replacing brakes, and diagnosing vehicle issues... Show more	$11-19
   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:

   • Electrical Systems

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
   • Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
   • Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, lift truck mechanics' average salary in south carolina is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lift truck mechanics earn 50% less than senior-level lift truck mechanics.
   • Certifications. A lift truck mechanic 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 lift truck mechanic's salary.

   Average lift truck mechanic salary

   $40,376yearly

   $19.41 hourly rate

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   Entry-level lift truck mechanic salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a lift truck mechanic job description

   A lift truck mechanic 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 lift truck mechanic job description:

   Lift truck mechanic job description example

   What's so special about Bear Valley?
   
   Bear Valley is a premier mountain destination getaway for winter and summer recreation and adventure, conveniently located with many great opportunities to become a member of our team. Bear Valley is a guest-oriented resort that offers team members many opportunities for growth and development within the company. We provide a fun and exciting workplace in a stimulating environment already known for its Pure Mountain Fun. Read on to discover why Bear Valley is the perfect place to bring your skills and abilities this winter.
   
   JOB OVERVIEW
   
   We are seeking experienced mechanics to perform regular maintenance of our lifts. Ensuring the highest quality of safety and operation with your team.
   
   Multiple positions available.
   
   PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   + Knowledge of ANSI B77 codes
   
   + Morning lift start up and pre-operational inspections
   
   + Complete lift maintenance paperwork (logs, TSBs, etc...)
   
   + Daily Lift Checks
   
   + Calendar frequency lift maintenance
   
   + Handle emergency lift down calls
   
   + Demonstrate tag-out lock-out safety procedures
   
   + Demonstrate proper fall protection harness usage
   
   + Familiar with changeover procedures from prime mover to auxiliary
   
   + Demonstrate basic electrical trouble shooting of chairlifts
   
   + Knowledge in working with counterweight tensioning systems
   
   + Able to inspect, test and adjust braking systems on chairlifts
   
   + Lead and supervise lift mechanic and mountain electrician staff
   
   + Other duties as assigned
   
   + Able to lift and carry up to 90 pounds
   
   + Experience working with fixed grip and detachable lifts
   
   + Able to work at high heights in extreme weather conditions
   
   + Low voltage, mechanical, hydraulic troubleshooting skills a must
   
   + NDT Level 2 certification a plus
   
   + Strong interpersonal and communication skills
   
   + Positive Attitude
   
   + Strong team player
   
   + Endurance to work long hours
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   Requires extensive time standing, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, pushing, pulling and lifting and carrying up to 90 pounds. Must be able to work extended hours at a rapid pace. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English. The physical demands described here are representative of these that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   
   Employee housing options available

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lift truck mechanics for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit lift truck mechanics, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 lift truck mechanic

   Once you've found the lift truck mechanic 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new lift truck mechanic 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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