Occupation Details
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
Diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers. May specialize in maintaining gas, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, or chassis/towing systems as well as repairing generators, appliances, and interior components. Includes workers who perform customized van conversions.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$33,290.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$39,600.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$47,430.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
450
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
640
+19 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
81
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.4%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Adjustable pipe wrenches
- Air pressure regulators
- Air purifying respirators
- Airflow meters
- Allen wrench sets
- Arc welders
- Automotive brake spring pliers
- Aviation tin snips
- Ball peen hammers
- Battery post and terminal cleaners
- Battery terminal pullers
- Beam type torque wrenches
- Brake spoons
- Brass face hammers
- Bubble levels
- Carbon dioxide CO2 testers
- Carpet knives
- Caulk dispensers
- Chop saws
- Claw hammers
- Combination wrenches
- Continuity testers
- Cordless drills
- Cordless screwdrivers
- Crowbars
- Curved jaw locking pliers
- Dead blow hammers
- Diagonal cutters
- Die grinders
Technology
- Email software
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- RV Damage Repair Estimator
- Summit Ordering Systems RvInvoiceWriter
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain repair records
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- install household appliances
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
- test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
- use hand or power woodworking tools
- use spray paint equipment
- solder electrical or electronic connections or components
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- use basic carpentry techniques
- use basic plumbing techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use knowledge of metric system
- use knowledge of welding filler rod types
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- plan or organize work
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- paint walls or other structural surfaces
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- install prefabricated building components
- install siding or sheeting
- move or fit heavy objects
- prime or paint vehicle or transportation equipment surfaces
- prepare building surfaces for paint, finishes, wallpaper, or adhesives
- repair prefabricated wooden building components
- construct, erect, or repair wooden frameworks or structures
- finish or refinish floor, furniture, or related wood surfaces
- install carpet, linoleum, tile, or related material onto floors or walls
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- understand service or repair manuals
- assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
- diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
- repair or replace gas, steam, sewer, or water piping or fixtures
- test mechanical products or equipment
- conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- diagnose malfunctioning vehicle systems
- assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read schematics
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
- read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
- obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Explain proper operation of vehicle systems to customers.
- Locate and repair frayed wiring, broken connections, or incorrect wiring, using ohmmeters, soldering irons, tape, or hand tools.
- Repair plumbing or propane gas lines, using caulking compounds and plastic or copper pipe.
- Confer with customers, read work orders, or examine vehicles needing repair to determine the nature and extent of damage.
- Examine or test operation of parts or systems to ensure completeness of repairs.
- Connect electrical systems to outside power sources, and activate switches to test the operation of appliances or light fixtures.
- Connect water hoses to inlet pipes of plumbing systems, and test operation of toilets or sinks.
- Inspect recreational vehicles to diagnose problems and perform necessary adjustment, repair, or overhaul.
- Inspect, repair, or replace brake systems.
- Diagnose and repair furnace or air conditioning systems.
- Repair leaks with caulking compound or replace pipes, using pipe wrenches.
- List parts needed, estimate costs, and plan work procedures, using parts lists, technical manuals, or diagrams.
- Remove damaged exterior panels, and repair and replace structural frame members.
- Open and close doors, windows, or drawers to test their operation, trimming edges to fit, as necessary.
- Reset hardware, using chisels, mallets, and screwdrivers.
- Refinish wood surfaces on cabinets, doors, moldings, or floors, using power sanders, putty, spray equipment, brushes, paints, or varnishes.
- Seal open sides of modular units to prepare them for shipment, using polyethylene sheets, nails, and hammers.