City of Charlotte highlights hiring push for heavy diesel technicians, cites paid training and $1,200 tool allowance

The City of Charlotte is seeking more heavy diesel technicians to keep its collection trucks running, fleet officials and technicians said.

Jeremy Henderson, the City of Charlotte’s fleet operations manager, said the city currently has "several" vacant heavy diesel technician positions across its seven facilities and needs more staff to maintain the fleet. Henderson said the city provides a range of supports to employees, including paid uniforms and safety gear, ASC testing paid by the city and a $1,200-a-year tool allowance.

Technicians at the Louise Avenue shop described the work as varied and hands-on. Antonio Washington, a heavy diesel technician, said the job "was the best job I've had so far wrenching, so I'm really enjoying it." Corey O'Connor, who joined the city in December after serving in the Marine Corps and working in other mechanic roles, said the most enjoyable part is diagnosing a problem, fixing it and sending the truck back out to serve the community.

Henderson, who has been with the fleet for 18 years and rose from technician to manager, said the city emphasizes training and employee advancement. "We pay for all of your uniforms, your safety shoes, your safety glasses. You get a $1,200 a year tool allowance. We pay for ASC testing," he said, listing benefits the city offers to attract and retain technicians.

Technicians described two main areas within the trade—the on-road side and the equipment side—and said both present continuous learning opportunities. They emphasized that nearly every kind of repair can come through the shop, from routine maintenance to taking trucks "torn apart" for major overhauls.

While staff and technicians framed the work as rewarding and civic-minded, Henderson did not specify an exact number of open positions; he described the openings as "several" and said the department is searching for people who are a good fit and interested in public service. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the City of Charlotte's fleet operations openings.

The session at the Louise Avenue shop concluded with staff and technicians reiterating that the work is essential to keeping Charlotte’s collection operations moving and with an appeal to prospective applicants to consider the positions.