Diesel Mechanic Assistant/Fueler

First Student, Inc.; Bedford Park (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student, Inc. is seeking a Fueler / Mechanic Assistant to support daily transit operations by fueling vehicles, checking fluids, maintaining fuel records, and keeping the yard and fuel island clean and safe.

This outdoor, hands-on role ensures paratransit vehicles are ready to dispatch on time, with responsibilities ranging from vehicle inspections and tire checks to logging fuel deliveries and maintaining spill containment.

Qualifications

• Class A or B CDL or ability to obtain one after hire
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively
• Strong attention to detail when completing logs, reports, and inspections
• Ability to communicate professionally with drivers, managers, maintenance staff, and operations team members
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, or holidays based on business needs
• Ability to follow safety procedures, especially around fuel, fluids, vehicles, and spill containment

Responsibilities

• Open gates and prepare the parking lot and fuel island for daily operations
• Check parking areas to ensure vehicles can be dispatched safely and on time
• Reposition vehicles in the yard as needed to maintain traffic flow
• Fuel paratransit vehicles and complete accurate stick and meter readings
• Move vehicles between locations
• Maintain fuel-related records, including: Bulk Fuel Receiving Reports, Fuel Variance Reports, Month-End Closing Reports, Meter Calibration Reports
• Notify management when fuel deliveries are needed
• Follow proper procedures before, during, and after fuel deliveries
• Check and fill vehicle fluids, including oil, antifreeze, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid
• Inspect belts and report any issues to the appropriate maintenance contact
• Check tires twice per week for damage and proper air pressure
• Report tire damage or vehicle damage immediately to the shop or management team
• Maintain required spill-barrel inventory and assist with spill containment procedures when needed
• Keep the fuel island stocked with supplies needed for daily vehicle checks
• Clean vehicle interiors and exteriors as needed to maintain fleet cleanliness
• Assist with light building and grounds maintenance, including yard cleanliness, weeds, grass, and assigned projects
• Complete additional tasks as assigned by management

Skills

Prioritization

Attention to detail

Professional communication

Reliability

Outdoor work readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

First Student is the largest school transportation provider in North America, with more than a century of experience providing safe and reliable transportation. We work with school districts across the U.S. and Canada, helping millions of students and passengers get where they need to go safely each day.

Hourly Rate: $23.84/hr

About the Role

The Fueler / Mechanic Assistant supports daily transit operations by fueling vehicles, checking fluid levels, maintaining accurate fuel records, inspecting vehicles for visible damage, and helping keep the yard, fuel island, buildings, and grounds clean and safe.

This is a hands‑on, outdoor operations role that helps ensure paratransit vehicles are ready to dispatch on time each day.

What You’ll Do

• Open gates and prepare the parking lot and fuel island for daily operations
• Check parking areas to ensure vehicles can be dispatched safely and on time
• Reposition vehicles in the yard as needed to maintain traffic flow
• Fuel paratransit vehicles and complete accurate stick and meter readings
• Move vehicles between locations
• Maintain fuel‑related records, including:
  • Bulk Fuel Receiving Reports
  • Fuel Variance Reports
  • Month‑End Closing Reports
  • Meter Calibration Reports
• Notify management when fuel deliveries are needed
• Follow proper procedures before, during, and after fuel deliveries
• Check and fill vehicle fluids, including oil, antifreeze, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid
• Inspect belts and report any issues to the appropriate maintenance contact
• Check tires twice per week for damage and proper air pressure
• Report tire damage or vehicle damage immediately to the shop or management team
• Maintain required spill‑barrel inventory and assist with spill containment procedures when needed
• Keep the fuel island stocked with supplies needed for daily vehicle checks
• Clean vehicle interiors and exteriors as needed to maintain fleet cleanliness
• Assist with light building and grounds maintenance, including yard cleanliness, weeds, grass, and assigned projects
• Complete additional tasks as assigned by management

What We’re Looking For

• Class A or B CDL or the ability to obtain one once hired
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively
• Strong attention to detail when completing logs, reports, and inspections
• Ability to communicate professionally with drivers, managers, maintenance staff, and operations team members
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, or holidays based on business needs
• Ability to follow safety procedures, especially around fuel, fluids, vehicles, and spill containment

Physical Requirements

This role requires regular outdoor and hands‑on work. Candidates should be comfortable with:

• Working in wet, cold, hot, or seasonal weather conditions
• Standing for extended periods
• Bending, kneeling, crouching, squatting, and stooping during vehicle checks and inspections
• Using hands and fingers to complete paperwork, inspections, and basic tasks
• Hearing, speaking, and seeing clearly enough to perform job duties safely
• Writing clear, legible reports and records
• Moving around a vehicle yard and fuel island throughout the shift

Why Join First Student?

• Steady, hands‑on operations role
• Opportunity to support essential paratransit service
• Team‑oriented work environment
• Training provided on fuel procedures, vehicle checks, safety expectations, and reporting requirements
• A role that directly supports safe and reliable daily transportation

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Language Requirement

This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job‑related communications be conducted in English.

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.