Occ. Code 7866200

 

MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTOR, GRADE 14

 

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

            Motor Vehicle Inspectors inspect buses and other motor vehicles transporting passengers for hire to determine operating condition and assure the safety of school children and the traveling public.

 

            These positions are found only in the Department of Transportation.

 

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUSHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

            Motor Vehicle Inspectors are characterized by performing detailed visual and mechanical inspections of buses and other motor vehicles which transport passengers, preparing detailed inspection reports, and issuing or withholding inspection certificates.  Although incumbents may also perform other duties, such as inspecting trucks carrying hazardous materials, reviewing maintenance programs, and investigating accidents, bus inspection is the predominant activity of this class.  Typically, extensive travel within an assigned geographic area is required of incumbents because bus facilities are dispersed and the inspection dates of equipment vary.

 

            These positions are distinguished from Intermodal Transportation Specialist 1 (Motor Carrier Safety) by the latter class’s responsibility for supervising and planning the work of a group of Motor Vehicle Inspectors.

 

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

 

Performs a complete mechanical and visual inspection of each vehicle.

 

·        Sits in the driver’s seat and checks the operation and condition of all equipment operated by driver, such as steering wheel, brakes, horns, signals, heaters, mirrors, and wipers.

 

·        Assures that all peripheral safety equipment, such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers, is present and usable.

 

·        Checks interior meters and gauges while engine is running.

 

·        Inspects the interior of the bus for cleanliness, condition, potential hazards, and operation of doors, windows, and alarms.

 

·        Visually inspects the exterior of the bus for presence and condition of equipment and condition of body, including such things as lights, reflectors, tires, tail pipes, fuel tank, side panels, etc.

 

·        Inspects the engine and equipment in engine compartment, such as steering hoses, crankcase, belts, presence of exhaust, fuel, or oil leaks, etc.

 

·        Checks the alignment of head lights and wheels.

 

·        Inspects the underside of vehicle for condition and operation of exhaust system, steering, springs, wiring, presence of leaks or cracks, U Bolt, body sill, brakes, tie rods, etc.

 

·        Checks exhaust gas with exhaust gas analyzer.

 

·        Inspects the operation of brakes and the condition of the interior brake compartment and related equipment.

 

Conducts a road test of vehicle while the vehicle is operated by mechanic or driver.

 

·        Checks for unusual body noises.

 

·        Checks the operation and speed with which brakes work.

 

·        Checks brake efficiency by use of decelerometer.

 

·        Evaluates how vehicle operates while driving, standing, and braking.

 

Issues a certificate of inspection if no defects are found; if defects are noted, provides a list of defects that must be corrected before vehicle can be operated and an inspection certificate can be issued.

 

Reviews vehicle service logs and drivers’ complaints logs to determine nature of equipment problems and if, when, and how repairs were made, may also evaluate the quality and competency of repairs.

 

Determines if continuing equipment problems are the result of defects and notifies main office of defective equipment.

 

Conducts initial inspections of new or modified vehicles to assure that vehicles meet specifications and are safe and operable.

 

Conducts accident inspections when passengers are injured or the accident may have resulted from mechanical deficiency.

 

·        Reviews complaint and repair logs to determine if deficiencies were repaired.

 

·        Evaluates the condition of equipment to determine if defective or substandard equipment was contributory.

 

·        Evaluates operating equipment to determine if equipment used was appropriate for type and safety of vehicle.

 

·        Evaluates the impact of road conditions, weather, and other factors on vehicle operation.

 

·        Prepares accident inspection report, indicating findings.

 

·        Reinspects heavily damaged vehicles before they are returned to the road to assure they are safe and operable.

 

Prepares forms, reports, and other paperwork for the program.

 

Evaluates operators’ vehicle maintenance and repair programs and maintenance practices to assure compliance with mandated services and maintenance standards; advises operators about how to correct or improve maintenance; prepares reports of findings.

 

Investigates complaints from the public about vehicle safety.

 

May inspect the transportation by vehicle of hazardous materials to assure shipper compliance with regulations governing packaging, loading, handling and shipping.

 

May participate in State Police spot checks of trucks to assure shippers’ compliance with trucking regulations.

 

Inspects trucks used to transport overweight radioactive materials before Overweight Permits are issued.

 

Reviews operators’ records to assure drivers have proper licenses and current physical examinations and review the hours they work.

 

May assist in training new employees by showing them how inspections are conducted and how to prepare forms and paperwork.

 

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS                     

 

            Motor Vehicle Inspectors have frequent and continuing face-to-face contact with operators and their employees to conduct inspections and discuss and resolve problems.  They may also have written and oral communications with employees of State and local jurisdictions involved in the safety program.  Incumbents must exercise tact and diplomacy to gain cooperation for the inspection program.

 

            Incumbents have frequent written communication with their supervisors and other program staff to report work activities, report inspection results, and notify staff of problems.  Because these are field positions, face-to-face contacts with supervisors are not frequent and communication is primarily by telephone or in writing.

 

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

 

            Motor Vehicle Inspectors, as field positions, work with considerable independence in performing their duties, planning work schedules, and determining if buses and vehicles are safe and operable.  They are supervised by Intermodal Transportation Specialists 1 (Motor Carrier Safety) who review schedules and reports, provide program and policy direction, evaluate work, determine work priorities, and train staff.

 

            Although Motor Vehicle Inspectors are a non-supervisory class, they may assist in training by showing newly appointed Inspectors how to conduct field inspections and prepare reports and other paperwork.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

·        Good knowledge of motor vehicle inspection procedures, techniques, and practices.

 

·        Working knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing the inspection program.

 

·        Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of buses and other motor vehicles.

 

·        Working knowledge of physical tests and other signs of parts or equipment failure or potential failure.

 

·        Working knowledge of the practices and techniques used to diagnose and repair vehicles.

 

·        Ability to evaluate equipment and parts and determine condition.

 

·        Ability to establish cooperative relationships with operators and their employees.

 

·        Ability to prepare form and narrative reports.

 

·        Ability to plan and schedule work.

 

·        Ability to diagnose mechanical problems.

 

·        Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of maintenance and repair programs.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

            Open-Competitive:  Three years of satisfactory experience repairing or conducting mechanical inspection of buses or heavy duty trucks.  One year of this experience must have been with a preventive or controlled maintenance program in a fleet operation.

 

 

 

Reviewed:  3/03

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time of Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.