Maintenance Foreman

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Transportation Services is seeking an on-site supervisor for the evening shift. Lead maintenance of the Duke Transit fleet—including buses and shuttles—prioritizing safety and readiness for service. Direct staff, coordinate work orders, and ensure timely, accurate documentation across maintenance activities.

You will communicate fleet status to dispatch, manage parts and inventory, and stand in as acting supervisor when needed, driving efficiency and reliability across shifts.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent is required.
• At least three years of experience in transportation services.
• CDL with passenger endorsement and ability to obtain a DOT Medical Card.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate evening shift maintenance tasks by prioritizing preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Direct staff, monitor performance, and administer corrective actions as needed.
• Serve as primary point of contact for evening shift staff and manage time-off needs.
• Determine vehicle service status and communicate with Transit dispatch.
• Close work orders promptly and document all maintenance activities.
• Use maintenance management systems to track work orders, inventory, and repair history.
• Coordinate parts ordering and monitor inventory to avoid delays.
• Support response to road calls and breakdowns as needed.
• Maintain communication with the Maintenance Supervisor to support continuity.
• Act in a supervisory capacity when the Maintenance Supervisor is unavailable.
• Identify process improvements to enhance efficiency and reliability.

Skills

Fleet maintenance

Staff supervision

Maintenance management systems

Communication

Policy enforcement

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

BE YOU.

Duke University Transportation Services

Provide on-site leadership and coordination of evening shift maintenance operations for the Duke Transit fleet, including buses, shuttle vans, cutaway vehicles, and support vehicles. Operating under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor, direct and prioritize maintenance activities to ensure fleet availability, safety, and readiness for service.

Translate assigned priorities into actionable work by directing staff, overseeing performance, and administering corrective actions as needed to ensure maintenance activities are completed accurately and on time. In the absence of the Maintenance Supervisor, assume acting supervisory responsibilities to support continuity of operations.

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate and oversee evening shift maintenance operations by assigning, prioritizing, and monitoring preventive maintenance and repair activities to support fleet readiness and service continuity.
• Execute assigned priorities from the Maintenance Supervisor, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and expectations.
• Direct evening shift maintenance staff by assigning work, providing guidance, monitoring performance, and addressing performance concerns, including administering corrective actions and discipline as needed.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for evening shift staff, addressing operational needs, supporting time‑off coordination, and providing direction and assistance related to daily work activities.
• Determine vehicle service status by placing vehicles in and out of service based on maintenance findings, safety considerations, and operational readiness; communicate vehicle availability and status updates to Transit dispatch.
• Manage and close work orders in a timely and accurate manner; ensure maintenance activities are properly documented and complete.
• Utilize maintenance management systems to track work orders, inventory usage, and repair history, and generate and review reports related to maintenance operations.
• Coordinate parts ordering and support inventory management by identifying needed materials and maintaining awareness of stock levels to avoid delays in repairs.
• Support response to road calls and breakdowns by providing guidance and assistance as needed.
• Maintain communication with the Maintenance Supervisor regarding shift activities, fleet status, and operational concerns to support continuity between shifts.
• Serve in an acting supervisory capacity during periods when the Maintenance Supervisor is unavailable.
• Assist in identifying process improvements to enhance efficiency, workflow, and reliability within maintenance operations.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

What You’ll Bring

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Training

• Work requires the ability to provide instructions, prepare reports and coordinate the work of others generally equivalent to a high school education.

Experience

• Work requires three years of experience in transportation services.
• OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Licensure/Certification

• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Passenger Endorsement required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (Medical Card).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with transit buses and electric vehicle systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of fleet vehicle maintenance practices, including preventive maintenance programs and repair workflows.
• Ability to supervise staff, assign and prioritize work, monitor progress, and ensure completion of maintenance tasks.
• Ability to evaluate vehicle condition and determine service status to support safe and reliable operations.
• Ability to utilize maintenance management systems for work order tracking, inventory management, and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with maintenance staff, dispatch, and management regarding fleet status, priorities, and operational needs.
• Ability to apply and enforce policies, provide coaching, and administer corrective actions in a consistent and professional manner.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a maintenance shop and outdoor environment supporting transit operations. Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 12:30 PM to 9:00 PM, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Schedule and hours may vary based on operational needs.

Be You at Duke

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.75 to USD $29.96. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family‑friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).