Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Motor Carrier Investigators

Duties

As a Motor Vehicle Inspector, you would inspect the mechanical condition of buses, heavy-duty trucks, vans, suburbans, station wagons, and other commercial vehicles. You would be responsible for checking the preventive maintenance programs, driver’s hours of labor records and facilities of fleet operators. You would investigate complaints, accidents, and illegal operations; testify at hearings when required; and keep records and submit reports of inspections and investigations. You would also check for compliance with driver, vehicle, and hazardous materials regulations. You may perform these duties independently without direct supervision and, as such, be responsible for scheduling your own work and adhering to your own timetable.

Minimum Qualifications

To be hired as Motor Vehicle Inspector you must possess one of the following qualifications:

• Three years of experience in the repair and/or mechanical inspection of buses (15 passengers or more) and/or heavy-duty trucks (GVWR 18,000 pounds or more), which must have included one year experience with antilock brake systems. Experience limited to maintenance, repair, or inspection activities obtained while working in a commercial garage, where most of the work is primarily related to automobiles, pick-up trucks, small vans, or ambulettes and only occasionally to buses or heavy-duty trucks, is not qualifying
• An associate degree in automotive or diesel technology AND one year of experience as described in the point above
• Graduation from a one-year post high school certificate program in automotive or diesel repair technology AND two years of experience as described in the first point above (adult BOCES programs are not qualifying)

Duties

As a Motor Carrier Investigator, you would serve as a field representative for the Department of Transportation in relation to safety regulation and licensing activities of the motor carrier industry. You would conduct roadside inspections of commercial drivers; examine records of motor carriers to ensure compliance with the state transportation law and related codes, rules, regulations, and policies; investigate the complaints of shippers and passengers and apprise them of their rights and responsibilities under the transportation law; and prepare reports of investigation findings, conclusions, and recommendations. You could also be called upon to testify at Department of Transportation administrative hearings and civil and criminal courts.

This position requires extensive daily travel within an assigned geographic area. You will be required to operate a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate the capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. You must possess a driver's license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule. Selected candidates must each pass a physical/medical examination prior to appointment.

Minimum Qualifications

To be hired as a Motor Carrier Investigator you must possess one of the following qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Three years of experience in a position with responsibility for commercial vehicle enforcement or motor carrier traffic management as dispatcher*, traffic manager, or terminal manager with a motor carrier of property or passengers that is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation or the New York State Department of Transportation. Similar experience with other state or federal transportation regulatory agencies is considered qualifying. Experience in a position with a government regulatory agency with responsibility for the investigation and reporting of compliance with state, federal, and/or local government laws, rules, and regulations will also be considered qualifying
• An associate degree AND two years of experience as described in the point above

* “Dispatch experience” requires knowledge of and experience with federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to hours of service, records of duty status, drug and alcohol testing, CDLs, medical certification, and pre- and post-trip inspections. Experience limited to the dispatch of vehicles such as taxicabs and emergency services does not qualify.

To apply, complete an Application for Employment and submit it to the NYSDOT Personnel Bureau either via email or postal mail.

Appointments to both titles will be made on a provisional basis. Candidates who accept a provisional appointment must take the next competitive examination for their title and pass with a score that results in their eligibility for a permanent appointment to the position.

Sign up for the NYS Department of Civil Service’s email notification subscription service to find out about upcoming state examinations.

The salary range for a Motor Vehicle Inspector is $52,198 - $66,634

The salary range for a Motor Carrier Investigator is $58,247 - $74,135

In addition to the salary, all permanent, full-time DOT employees enjoy several benefits, and, in some instances, may be eligible for location pay.