1. Agricultural Careers Equipment Mechanic By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Ms. Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities Inspect and examine equipment to assess problem Repair and maintain mechanical equipment Use testing equipment to locate engine problems Test repaired machinery for proper operation Continually receive education to stay current on new machinery Perform routine maintenance checks on machinery Clean and lubricate parts by spraying them soaking them in a solvent Weld broken frames or parts

3. Qualities and Skills An equipment mechanic should be accurate and precise in their thinking and have good problem solving ability. They must also be able to work independently of supervision and have good work ethic. Physical Requirements Good eyesight and manual dexterity Able to stand for long periods of time Capable of bending, kneeling, stooping, or crawling Strength is needed to lift heavy parts of machinery Good hand-eye coordination

4. Salary On the national level, equipment mechanics earn somewhere in the range of $11 to $21 per hour depending on what type of equipment they specialize in. The median range is between $27,000 and $36,000 per year for those in a starting position. Those with experience could earn close to $50,000 per year. Those working as farm equipment mechanics may have varying wages due to overtime hours during planting and harvesting seasons and a possibility of no work at all during some of the winter months.

5. Work Environment May work indoors or outdoors Exposed to hazardous equipment Come in contact with grease, dirt, gas, and rust Potential burns from hot equipment engine parts Work hours may be seasonal depending on type of equipment Typical work week is 44 hours per week with four of those hours being on Saturday May involve travel to equipment locations Environment may be noisy

6. Becoming an Equipment Mechanic Most employers would prefer that applicants have undergone a formal training/certification program at a community college, technical college, or vocational school. Even with a formal education, some on the job training is usually necessary before being allowed to work independently.

7. Career Resources International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Internet: http://www.goiam.org International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Internet: http://www.uaw.org International Brotherhood of Teamsters Internet: http://www.teamster.org North American Equipment Dealers Association Internet: http://www.naeda.com