Diesel Technician

First Student; City of Yonkers (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tool allowance

Boot allowance

Safety bonus

ASE testing and training materials

CDL Class B training and licensing

Health, dental, vision, 401(k) with 2%

Company-paid training

Job summary

First Student in Yonkers, NY is hiring a Diesel Technician III to join our maintenance team serving Yonkers and surrounding districts. You will perform advanced diagnostics, repairs, preventative maintenance, and inspections on school buses and fleet vehicles, working mostly on the second shift.

You'll mentor less-experienced technicians, support road calls, and ensure safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• At least five years of automotive or diesel maintenance and repair experience.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Vocational or technical certification in automotive or diesel repair preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.
• CDL Class B with Passenger endorsement preferred.
• ASE certifications preferred.
• Ability to obtain CDL Class B within three months of employment; company-paid training is provided.
• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance and repair.
• Repair brakes, suspensions, drivetrains, transmission components, engines, and related systems.
• Diagnose and repair electrical, starting, charging, lighting and electronic control systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance and safety inspections.
• Complete work orders with labor, parts, diagnostics and actions taken.
• Support road calls, breakdowns, and mobile emergency repairs.
• Mentor Tech I and Tech II employees with diagnostics and inspections.
• Ensure vehicles are properly maintained and safe for passengers.

Skills

Diesel maintenance experience

Automotive service

Diagnostics

Electrical systems

Preventative maintenance

CDL Class B knowledge

ASE certifications preferred

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical certification in automotive/diesel repair

Tools

Complete mechanic's tool set

Job description

First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician III for our shop serving Yonkers Public Schools, Mount Vernon City School District, City School District of New Rochelle, and New York City Public Schools in Yonkers, New York! Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday, full-time second shift, 2:00 PM-10:00 PM Union: TWU Local 100

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 the greater Yonkers area is local. You'll join a close-knit team that values collaboration, safety, technical excellence, and community connection.

Pay Details:

• Pay is established by the TWU Local 100 union contract.
• Hourly Rate: $39.11 per hour - not flat rate.
• Monday-Friday second-shift schedule with consistent, year-round work.
• $700 annual tool allowance.
• $200 annual boot allowance.
• $200 safety bonus.
• 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 senior maintenance, operational, management, and leadership roles across more than 540 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Annual allowance for prescription safety glasses.
• Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, electronics, appliances, and more through the PerkSpot program.
• Employee Assistance Program: Counseling and support services for personal and work-related matters.
• Union representation through TWU Local 100.

About the Diesel Technician Position

As a Diesel Technician III with First Student, you will serve as an advanced member of the maintenance team, performing complex diagnostics, repairs, preventative maintenance, and inspections on school buses, vans, and other fleet vehicles. You will work independently on advanced mechanical and electrical issues, support road-call and emergency repair needs, and help guide less-experienced technicians. Your technical expertise will directly support fleet safety, vehicle availability, regulatory compliance, and the reliable transportation of students throughout the community.

Diesel Technician Key Responsibilities

• Ensure vehicles are properly maintained and safe for our passengers.
• Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance and repair.
• Perform advanced diagnostics on mechanical, electrical, engine, transmission, emissions, and related vehicle systems.
• Repair brakes, suspensions, drivetrains, transmission clutches, engines, steering systems, and other major vehicle components.
• Diagnose and repair electrical, starting, charging, lighting, and electronic control systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance, safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections.
• Identify mechanical and safety concerns before vehicles are returned to service.
• Complete complex repairs accurately and efficiently.
• Evaluate completed work and verify that repairs meet First Student and regulatory standards.
• Complete work orders accurately, including all labor, parts, supplies, diagnostic findings, and corrective actions.
• Notify maintenance leadership of potentially dangerous equipment and recommend corrective action.
• Assist with road calls, breakdowns, and mobile emergency repair services.
• Support and mentor Tech I and Tech II employees with diagnostics, repairs, inspections, and technical development.
• Assist maintenance leadership with troubleshooting difficult or recurring fleet issues.
• Move vehicles safely between work and service areas.
• Maintain an organized shop and clean work environment.
• Follow all First Student safety standards, policies, procedures, and applicable DOT requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Diesel Technician Qualifications

• At least five years of automotive or diesel maintenance and repair experience, or an equivalent combination of technical education and hands-on experience.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Vocational or technical certification in automotive or diesel repair preferred.
• Advanced vehicle diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Strong experience diagnosing and repairing diesel engines, brakes, suspensions, drivetrains, transmissions, electrical systems, and related components.
• Experience performing preventative maintenance, safety inspections, and annual vehicle inspections.
• Ability to work independently on complex repairs with minimal supervision.
• Ability to guide and support less-experienced technicians.
• Valid driver's license required.
• CDL Class B with Passenger endorsement preferred.
• Ability to obtain a CDL Class B with Passenger endorsement within three months of employment; company-paid training is provided.
• ASE certifications preferred.
• Willingness to participate in and maintain required certifications through First Student's ASE program.
• Possession of a complete mechanic's tool set sufficient to perform all assigned duties.
• Strong computer skills and experience completing electronic work orders and maintenance records.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a maintenance team.
• Ability to maintain regular, predictable, and full attendance.
• Strong commitment to fleet safety, quality repairs, and reliable service.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work in a maintenance shop environment with dust, dirt, and grease.
• Ability to work under varying weather conditions.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in crouched, kneeling, standing, and lying positions.
• Ability to work beneath vehicles while using a mechanic's creeper.
• Ability to safely perform physically demanding maintenance and repair duties throughout the shift.

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! Bring your technical expertise to a team where your experience matters, your skills are valued, and your work makes a direct impact on students and families throughout the community.

First Student is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace.

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.

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.

First Student is an Equal Opportunity Employer and 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. 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.

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.