Body Shop Technician

Ridetherapid; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance - multiple plans

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Life Insurance

Wellbeing and fitness programs

Free rides on The Rapid for employee

Job summary

The Rapid is seeking a Transit Vehicle Technician - Body Shop to join our Grand Rapids team. This role performs comprehensive body and mechanical repairs on gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel buses and related vehicles, ensuring safe, reliable operation for the community.

You'll work with hand tools and power tools, maintain repair records, and manage body surface prep, painting, and component replacement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One or more years of vocation or technical schooling or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to obtain Michigan CDL Class B with Passenger and Airbrake Endorsement (training provided).
• Valid Michigan Driver's license with ≤4 points; no prior license suspensions in last 36 months.
• Meet all DOT physical exam requirements including drug and alcohol screening.

Responsibilities

• Use hand and power tools to repair and paint bus bodies and components.
• Maintain records and work history in electronic repair orders.
• Raise equipment using hoists and jacks for inspection and repair.
• Inspect damage and prepare cost estimates for parts and labor.
• Sand, file, grind, and prep surfaces; prime and paint as needed.
• Remove and replace damaged body sections and components; align using clamps and hydraulic tools.
• Test drive/operate buses and support equipment to diagnose malfunctions.

Skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Record keeping

Welding

Body repair

Job description

The Rapid is looking for a Body Shop Technician to join our team!

If you are ready for a career where every day you are making a positive impact on our community, then it is time you explored The Rapid! The Rapid is a transportation organization headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. We serve the following communities: Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming.

The Transit Vehicle Technician - Body Shop is a safety-sensitive position that performs a full range of body and mechanical repairs to a variety of gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuel (compressed natural gas and hybrid) powered buses and related vehicles.

What will you be doing in this role:

• Use hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, as well as power tools such as pneumatic wrenches, metal cutting shears, hydraulic presses and torches.
• Maintains and creates records and work history within electronic repair orders.
• Use of in-ground and above-ground hoists as well as portable hoists and hydraulic jacks to raise equipment for inspection and repair.
• Inspect vehicle damage and prepare cost estimate for parts and labor.
• Sand, file, grind, clean and prep body surfaces to be painted.
• Prime and paint prepared surfaces, using paint sprayers and related tools.
• Remove, repair and replace damaged sections of vehicle body and related mechanical components.
• Chain or clamp frames and sections to floor anchor pots and use hydraulic pressure to align damaged components.
• Fill and repair dents, high spots, holes, etc. on damaged areas using materials such as aluminum, steel, body filler, fiberglass, etc.
• Remove, replace and repair upholstery, seats, doors, windows, glass, trim and accessories.
• Test drive/operate light-duty vehicles, trucks, buses and support equipment to diagnose malfunctions or to ensure they are working properly.
• Fabrication, welding, cutting and grinding to include torch work.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One or more years of vocation or technical schooling or equivalent work experience
• Ability to obtain Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class B with Passenger and Airbrake Endorsement
  • The Rapid provides paid CDL training during work hours. Training occurs on first shift for approximately 90 days.
• Possess a valid Michigan Driver's license with less than 4 points and have not had a suspended licenses in the preceding 36 months. Points greater than 4 will automatically disqualify the applicant from consideration.
• Meet and maintain all Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination requirements including drug and alcohol screening.
• Basic computer skills with the ability to learn new programs as required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Posture: Prolonged standing, short walking, various trunk positions have to be maintained for prolonged periods when performing repairs; sitting only during bus inspections and break periods. Requires normal trunk mobility, bending of knees, normal cervical mobility, full shoulder mobility, normal elbow/wrist/hand mobility.

Force Required: Lumbar lifting, (floor to waist) up to 85 pounds; cervical lifting (waist to overhead) up to 77 pounds; pushing/pulling isometrically up to 62 pounds; dynamically 32 pounds; carrying up to 62 pounds.

Repetitions: Aforementioned tasks are occurring throughout the workday in repair of buses.

Employee is required to perform job duties in accordance with existing health and safety procedures and policies.

Here's what you can look forward to as a valued member of our team:

• Competitive Pay Range: $30.72 per hour, with potential earnings up $38.38 per hour (This rate includes the $1 shift premium if on second or third shifts.)
  • Pay range is dependent on experience and ASE or State Certifications
• Shift: First, Second, or Third
  • Training occurs on first shift for approximately 90 days
• Health Insurance - We offer three medical plan options through Priority Health for you, your spouse, and/or children. A Health Savings Account with an employer contribution and match is available with our High Deductible Health Plan!
• Dental Insurance - The Rapid offers two dental options through BCBSM, including orthodontic coverage.
• Vision Insurance - Is offered through the VSP network.
• Retirement Contribution - We understand the importance of secure financial planning. You are eligible to participate in a 457 Retirement Saving plan on your first day. We offer an employer matching program!
• Life Insurance and Short-term Disability - Benefit from basic life and AD&D Insurance and short-term disability provided by The Rapid.
• Wellbeing and Fitness - We provide an employee assistance program. You can enjoy our onsite fitness center and gym membership reimbursement.
• Explore your community - Your employee badge is your ticket (and your eligible dependents) to riding The Rapid for FREE!

The Rapid is an EEO Employer. Minorities, veterans, and women are encouraged to apply. The Rapid is committed to employing people with disabilities and making reasonable accommodations for them. Let our recruiter know if you need an adjustment at any point during the application/interview process.