Diesel Technician

First Student; Connecticut; On-site; USD 64,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement savings plan with 2x

Paid holidays

Paid vacation time

Annual boot allowance

Annual prescription safety glasses

Employee Assistance Program

PerkSpot discounts

Job summary

First Student in East Hartford, CT is seeking a Diesel Technician to maintain and repair school buses for CREC Schools. This full-time, day-shift role supports safety, reliability, and local shop teamwork.

You will perform inspections, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs, with opportunities to advance through ASE certification and paid training. Competitive pay starts at $31/hour with up to $2/hour for ASE certifications, plus benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year 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.
• Possession of a mechanic's tool set.
• Willingness to participate in ASE certification.

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs.
• Diagnose and repair vehicle issues to ensure safety and reliability.
• Repair brakes, drivetrain, and related systems as needed.
• Complete work orders accurately and on time.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized shop environment.

Skills

Diesel maintenance

Diagnostics

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Strong computer skills

Safety minded

Education

Technical school education

Tools

Mechanic tools

Job description

Location: East Hartford, CT - Serving CREC Schools

Schedule: Monday - Friday | Full-Time Day Shift

Pay: $31.00 per hour, as set by the union contract

Additional Pay: Up to $2.00 per hour more for qualifying ASE School Bus Series certifications

Keep Buses Moving. Keep Students Safe. Build Your Career with First Student.

First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving CREC Schools in East Hartford, CT.

If you enjoy solving problems, working with your hands, and being the person others count on to keep things running, this is a great opportunity to put your skills to work in a role that truly matters. Every safe, reliable bus on the road starts with a technician who pays attention to the details, takes pride in their craft, and understands the importance of keeping students moving safely.

As a Diesel Technician, you will help maintain and repair school buses that families, students, drivers, and school communities rely on every day. This is a hands-on, steady, Monday-Friday role where your mechanical skills directly support safety, reliability, and peace of mind.

While First Student is North America's leading school transportation provider, our East Hartford team offers a local, close‑knit shop environment where safety, teamwork, and pride in the work come first.

Why Join First Student?

• $31.00 per hour, as set by the union contract
• Hourly position - not flat rate
• Monday - Friday day shift
• Consistent, year-round work
• Bonus rate increase available for each ASE School Bus Series test passed and maintained, up to $2.00 per hour more
• Company-paid ASE testing
• Company-paid ASE training materials
• Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing
• Medical benefits
• Dental benefits
• Vision benefits
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation time
• Annual boot allowance
• Annual prescription safety glasses allowance
• Employee Assistance Program for counseling and support services
• Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, electronics, and more through PerkSpot
• Career advancement opportunities across more than 540 First Student locations in the U.S. and Canada

What You'll Do

As a Diesel Technician, you will help keep our fleet safe, reliable, and ready for the road. You will perform inspections, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs that support safe transportation for students and dependable service for our school partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for passengers
• Diagnose and perform vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Repair and inspect brakes and brake systems
• Perform engine tune-ups
• Repair suspensions, drivetrains, transmission clutches, and related systems
• Complete preventive maintenance inspections
• Complete safety inspections and annual maintenance inspections
• Complete work orders accurately and on time
• Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed
• Support a clean, safe, organized, and efficient shop environment

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, mechanically skilled, and ready to be part of a team that takes safety seriously. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys diagnostics, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and knowing their work has a direct impact on the community.

Diesel Technician Requirements

• At least 1 year 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
• Possession of a mechanic's tool set to complete assigned duties
• Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program
• Strong computer skills
• Ability to work safely and follow maintenance procedures
• Subject to DOT drug testing and physical. 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

At First Student, our technicians do more than repair buses. They help protect students, support drivers, serve local schools, and keep the community moving.

If you are ready for steady hours, great support, career growth, and a role where your work truly matters.

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.