Automotive Mechanic

FIRST MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASE training

CDL training

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

Career advancement

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Boot allowance

Safety glasses allowance

PerkSpot discounts

EAP

Job summary

First Student in Kalamazoo is hiring a Mechanic to maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability for students.

You will work Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm, with on‑the‑job ASE testing, CDL training paid by the company, and a strong benefits package. This role offers year‑round work and clear paths to leadership roles across the U.S. & Canada.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of diesel or automotive maintenance and repair experience or equivalent technical school education.
• Vehicle diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• CDL Class B or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment – company-paid training.
• Possession of a mechanic’s tool set.
• Willingness to participate in ASE certification program (training, testing, bonuses).
• Strong computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for passengers.
• Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance including brakes, engine tune-ups, suspensions, drive trains, transmissions.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PMs) and safety/annual inspections.
• Complete work orders accurately.
• Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed.

Skills

Diesel/Auto maintenance

Diagnostic skills

Computer skills

Valid driver’s license

Education

Technical school education

Job description

First Student is now hiring a Mechanic for our shop serving Kalamazoo! Hours/Schedule: Monday–Friday, Full-time day shift 8:00am-5:00pm, on call as needed If you take pride in keeping your community moving, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

Our team keeps students safe and on time every day—because behind every bus is a skilled mechanic who ensures reliability, safety, and peace of mind for families across our community.

While First Student is North America’s leading school transportation provider—serving more than 1,250 districts and 5.4 million student journeys daily—our focus here in Kalamazoo is local.

You’ll join a close-knit team that values collaboration, safety, and community connection.

Why Join First as Mechanic? Pay Details: Dependent on experience and qualifications.

Hourly Rate: $26 per hour (NOT flat rate).

Bonus rate increase available for each ASE School Bus Series test passed and maintained (up to $2/hour more).

Monday–Friday day shift schedule with consistent, year-round work.

• Company-paid ASE testing and training materials.
• Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing.
• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match.
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Advance into operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles in over 540 locations across the U.S. & Canada!
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Annual allowances for boots and prescription safety glasses.
• Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, and more through the PerkSpot program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues.

About the Mechanic Position

As a Mechanic with First Student, you will help maintain and repair transit vans and medium duty trucks to ensure safety and reliability.

Mechanic key responsibilities include:

• Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for our passengers.
• Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance including the repair of brakes and brake inspections, engine tune‑ups, suspensions, drive trains, transmission clutches and other repairs.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PMs), safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections.
• Complete work orders accurately.
• Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed.

Mechanic Qualifications

• At least 3+ years of diesel or automotive maintenance and repair experience, or equivalent technical school education and experience.
• Vehicle diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• CDL Class B or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment – Company paid training provided.
• Possession of a mechanic’s tool set to complete all assigned duties.
• Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program (training, testing, and bonuses provided).
• Strong computer skills.

Note: This position is subject to DOT drug testing as a safety-sensitive employee. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.

Take the wheel and drive your career forward with First Student! Make an impact in your community while enjoying day shift schedules, great pay, and unmatched support.

First for a reason: At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug‑free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence