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Commercial power equipment technician

What is it?

A Commercial Power Equipment Technician is a mechanical specialist who maintains and repairs high-end, professional-grade machinery. While a standard mechanic might focus on consumer lawnmowers or cars, these technicians work on the “workhorses” of the landscaping, construction, and agricultural industries.

Their expertise covers equipment like zero-turn commercial mowers, compact tractors, skid steers, utility vehicles (UTVs), and large-scale turf maintenance systems.

Here’s a breakdown of some key responsibilities of a Commercial Power Equipment Technician:

Advanced Diagnostics

  • Systems Analysis: Using digital diagnostic tools and multimeters to troubleshoot complex electrical systems, electronic fuel injection (EFI), and computerized controllers.

  • Hydraulic Testing: Measuring fluid pressure and flow rates to find leaks or failures in the systems that power tractor loaders or mower decks.

  • Engine Performance: Identifying “low power” issues in both high-performance gasoline engines and compact diesel engines.

Specialized Repair and Overhaul

  • Engine Rebuilds: Taking apart and reassembling internal combustion engines, replacing pistons, rings, and valves.

  • Hydrostatic Drive Repair: Servicing the specialized transmissions that allow commercial mowers to turn on a dime.

  • Structural Welding: Repairing cracked equipment frames or mower decks that have seen heavy use in the field.

Preventive and Seasonal Maintenance

  • Fleet Readiness: Performing “sharpen and tune” services grinding mower blades to a precise edge and ensuring engines are optimized for peak performance.

  • Fluid Management: Changing specialized oils, filters, and coolants to prevent overheating in machines that often run for 8–10 hours a day in the summer heat.

Safety and Testing

  • Safety System Verification: Testing operator-presence switches and rollover protection structures (ROPS) to ensure the machine is safe for the user.

  • Operational Testing: Taking the equipment for a “test drive” on a shop lot to ensure all repairs hold up under real-world load conditions.

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Length of Training

14-17 weeks​

Type of Training

Online (self-paced) / In Person

* Salary Range

$34,500 - $47,801​

(entry level – experienced)

* Regional Jobs Available

1,779

(3 year forecast)

A mechanic wearing safety glasses and gloves uses a tablet, much like an Administrative Medical Assistant manages digital records, to check diagnostic information while inspecting machinery in a workshop.

Is it Right For You?

Here are some essential skills and qualities for success as a Commercial Power Equipment Technician:

  • Technical Versatility: You need to be comfortable switching between a delicate electrical sensor and a heavy hydraulic cylinder.

  • Analytical Thinking: The ability to trace a problem from a symptom (like a “stuttering” engine) back to the root cause (like a clogged fuel vent or a faulty sensor).

  • Physical Grit: This is a hands-on job that involves lifting heavy parts, working with grease and oils, and sometimes working in non-climate-controlled shops.

  • Customer Communication: Especially in dealership settings, you may need to explain a complex mechanical failure to a business owner in a way that helps them understand the repair costs.

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A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

The Adult Learner Scholarship application is closed. Please click GET STARTED to be added to communication reminders on when to apply during the next open cycle.

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

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Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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