Bus Mechanic - $30.16/hr & paid CDL training

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 62,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid time off

Tuition/training reimbursement

Job summary

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) in Ithaca, NY is seeking a Diesel Mechanic with experience in transit diesel engines to join our 24/7 maintenance team. The role focuses on preventative maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs from engines to air brakes, with strong emphasis on safety and reliability.

You will work in a unionized shop with clear priorities, receive training, and have opportunities for growth into leadership positions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience repairing diesel engines in a transit environment.
• Previous heavy-duty or automotive experience and relevant certifications will be considered!
• Experience in airbrake diagnosis and repair.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to read and follow written instructions.
• Ability to work with a team as well as independently.
• Proficiency with computers and sensor tools is a must. The successful candidate must provide their own tools.

Responsibilities

• Join a tight, unionized maintenance team that keeps our bus fleet safe, reliable, and road ready. You’ll handle preventative maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs — everything from electrical troubleshooting to major components like engines, transmissions, differentials, and air brakes.
• You’ll have solid administrative support, clear priorities, and steady workflow. Tell us what you need, and we’ll make sure you can get the job done efficiently.
• Interested in long term growth? We have a well defined path for mechanics who want to develop mastery, mentor others, or step into a shift leadership role.

Skills

Diesel engine repair

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Technical reading

Computers & sensor tools

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Ithaca, NY 14850, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $30.16 - $30.16 Hourly, If you're the kind of diesel mechanic who likes being trusted to do the job right and works best when provided with the support, space, and equipment to see it through... you'll fit right in at TCAT!

TCAT’s Mechanics are central to ensuring the safety of our drivers, passengers, and the community around us. To support our safety-first culture, you will receive regular training opportunities that will enable you to build on your current skills and stay at the forefront of new technologies, concepts and developments in the world of diesel and electric vehicle repair and maintenance.

We're offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for experienced Diesel Mechanics, plus paid CDL training from our driver training team!

What You’ll Do:

• Join a tight, unionized maintenance team that keeps our bus fleet safe, reliable, and road ready. You’ll handle preventative maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs — everything from electrical troubleshooting to major components like engines, transmissions, differentials, and air brakes.
• You’ll have solid administrative support, clear priorities, and steady workflow. Tell us what you need, and we’ll make sure you can get the job done efficiently.
• Interested in long term growth? We have a well defined path for mechanics who want to develop mastery, mentor others, or step into a shift leadership role.

Schedule:

Our shop runs 24/7, Monday–Friday, with shifts assigned through a seniority based bid system three times per year.New hires typically start on 3rd shift (10pm–6:30am). Work takes place at TCAT Headquarters, plus occasional local road calls.

Pay & Benefits:

• $30.16/hr to start
• $2.00/hr shift differential for shifts ending after 10pm
• Tool allowance (quarterly), shoe allowance (annual), tool-replacement program
• Bonuses for overtime, attendance, referrals, safety, and training new hires
• UAW Local 2300 membership after 90-day probation
• Health insurance with robust employer contribution, including FSA/HSA options
• Dental and Vision insurance (employer-paid)
• Employer-paid life, AD&D, short and long term disability
• Voluntary employee/spouse/child life insurance
• Employee & childcare assistance programs
• 401(k) with 10% direct employer contribution after 2 years
• Paid Time Off: 10 vacation days, paid holidays, 5 floating holidays, 7 sick days, 3 personal days
• Leave options for family health care, military service, firefighter service, public office, jury duty, bereavement, and more

Ready to wrench with TCAT?: The ideal candidate will possess:

• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience repairing diesel engines in a transit environment
• Previous heavy-duty or automotive experience and relevant certifications will be considered!
• Experience in airbrake diagnosis and repair
• Demonstrated commitment to safety
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to read and follow written instructions
• Ability to work with a team as well as independently
• Proficiency with computers and sensor tools is a mustThe successful candidate must provide their own tools.

Regulatory Requirements

Mechanics are required to achieve and maintain commercial driver credentials to perform essential job functions. Any offer of employment is contingent on satisfaction of all FMCSA, DOT, DMV, and NY 19-A regulations.

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Must be able to lift up to 100 pounds
• Work requires the ability to reach, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, crouch and climb ladders on a regular basis in the performance of mechanical work
• Required to use hands, fingers and arms to reach, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls
• Stands and walks for long periods of time in the performance of duties
• Ability to receive directions and interact with coworkers
• Specific vision abilities required to include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus