Diesel Technician

First Student; Soldotna (AK); On-site; USD 56,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ASE testing & training materials

CDL Class B training & licensing

Medical, dental, vision, 401(k)

Holidays & vacation

Boots & safety glasses allowances

PerkSpot discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

First Student in Soldotna, Alaska is hiring a Diesel Technician to maintain and repair school buses, ensuring safety and reliability for students and families.

We offer day shifts (5:30 am – 2:00 pm or 9:30 am – 6:00 pm), competitive hourly pay of $27–$34, company-paid ASE/ CDL training, and a strong benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match. Eligible for growth across 540+ locations.

Qualifications

• 1+ year diesel/auto maintenance experience or equivalent technical school.
• Valid driver's license; CDL Class B within 60 days (company paid training).
• Possess a mechanic's tool set and willingness to pursue ASE certification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair school buses to ensure safety and reliability.
• Diagnose and perform brake, engine, suspension, drive train, and transmission work.
• Perform preventive maintenance and safety inspections.
• Complete work orders accurately and support mobile emergency repairs when needed.

Skills

Diesel maintenance

Diagnostics

Driver's license

CDL Class B readiness

ASE certification pursuit

Computer skills

Education

Technical school education/experience

Tools

Mechanic's tool set

Job description

First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving Kenai Peninsula Borough School District!

Hours/Schedule:

Monday-Friday, Full-time day shift 5:30 am - 2:00 pm OR 9:30 am - 6:00 pm - Flexible Shifts!

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 Soldotna is local. You’ll join a close‑knit team that values collaboration, safety, and community connection.

Why Join First as a Diesel Mechanic?

• Pay Details: Dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Hourly Rate: $27 - $34 per hour (NOT flat rate).
• Bonus rate increase available for each ASE School Bus Series test passed and maintained (up to $2/hour more).
• Monday-Friday day shift schedule with consistent, year-round work.
• 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 operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles in over 540 locations across the U.S. & Canada!
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Annual allowances for boots and prescription safety glasses.
• Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, and more through the PerkSpot program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and support services for personal and work‑related issues.

About The Diesel Technician Position

As a Diesel Technician with First Student, you will help maintain and repair school buses to ensure safety and reliability.

Diesel Technician key responsibilities include:

• Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for our passengers.
• Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance including the repair of brakes and brake inspections, engine tune‑ups, suspensions, drive trains, transmission clutches and other repairs.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PMs), safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections.
• Complete work orders accurately.
• Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed.

Diesel Technician Qualifications

• At least 1 years 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 - Company paid training provided.
• Possession of a mechanic's tool set to complete all assigned duties.
• Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program (training, testing, and bonuses provided).
• Strong computer skills.
• 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! Make an impact in your community while enjoying day shift schedules, great pay, and unmatched support.

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.