Manager Shop

First Student, Inc.; Hicksville (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student, Inc. is seeking a Maintenance Manager in Hicksville to lead daily maintenance operations, supervise shop staff and ensure safe, service-ready buses. The role requires strong mechanical leadership, hands-on diagnostics and the ability to drive efficiency and cost control.

The position emphasizes hands-on repair when necessary, collaboration with location leadership, and ensuring compliance with federal, state and company standards. Competitive salary starts at $100,000 annually.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical or vocational training preferred.
• Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements.
• At least five years of hands-on mechanical and maintenance leadership experience.
• Experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment preferred.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Ability to lead, coach and hold employees accountable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic computer and maintenance-system skills.
• Ability and willingness to perform hands-on repair work when required.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily maintenance operations and directly supervise shop employees.
• Schedule preventive maintenance and repairs and communicate vehicle availability to dispatch and operations.
• Assist technicians with troubleshooting, diagnostics and hands-on repair work.
• Ensure the fleet is maintained in a safe, reliable and service-ready condition.
• Hire, train, coach and develop maintenance employees.
• Assign and direct work, conduct performance reviews and address employee performance, disciplinary matters and workplace concerns.
• Work with the Location Manager and regional maintenance leadership to communicate fleet status, staffing needs, maintenance priorities and budget requirements.
• Review repair orders, financial variances and maintenance expenses.
• Approve invoices and accounts-payable documents within assigned authority.
• Order parts and fuel and coordinate outside repair services when needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state and local requirements.
• Confirm technicians are properly trained, equipped and following current operating and safety procedures.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve shop efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Oversee vehicle fueling and coordinate building or grounds services when assigned.
• Complete special projects and additional maintenance responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Leadership experience

Mechanical troubleshooting

Diesel engines

School bus equipment

Communication skills

Hands-on repair

Coaching and accountability

Computer skills

Maintenance supervision

Adherence to safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or vocational training preferred

Tools

Diesel diagnostic tools

Maintenance software

Job description

Maintenance Manager

The Maintenance Manager oversees all maintenance operations, shop personnel and fleet readiness at the location. This position is responsible for ensuring vehicles are maintained safely, efficiently and in compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Salary stating at $100,000 annually

This is a hands-on leadership role. The Maintenance Manager must have strong mechanical experience and be prepared to assist with diagnostics, repairs and other shop work when needed.

Major Responsibilities

• Manage daily maintenance operations and directly supervise shop employees.
• Schedule preventive maintenance and repairs and communicate vehicle availability to dispatch and operations.
• Assist technicians with troubleshooting, diagnostics and hands-on repair work.
• Ensure the fleet is maintained in a safe, reliable and service-ready condition.
• Hire, train, coach and develop maintenance employees.
• Assign and direct work, conduct performance reviews and address employee performance, disciplinary matters and workplace concerns.
• Work with the Location Manager and regional maintenance leadership to communicate fleet status, staffing needs, maintenance priorities and budget requirements.
• Review repair orders, financial variances and maintenance expenses.
• Approve invoices and accounts-payable documents within assigned authority.
• Order parts and fuel and coordinate outside repair services when needed.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state and local requirements.
• Confirm technicians are properly trained, equipped and following current operating and safety procedures.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve shop efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Oversee vehicle fueling and coordinate building or grounds services when assigned.
• Complete special projects and additional maintenance responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Technical or vocational training preferred
• Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements
• At least five years of hands-on mechanical and maintenance leadership experience
• Experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment preferred
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Ability to lead, coach and hold employees accountable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Basic computer and maintenance-system skills
• Ability and willingness to perform hands-on repair work when required

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a maintenance-shop environment with exposure to dust, dirt and grease.
• Must be able to lift approximately 20 to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, kneel, crouch and work underneath vehicles.
• Must be able to lie on a mechanic's creeper or dolly while inspecting or repairing equipment.

Disclaimer

Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time. This job description identifies the position's primary functions but does not limit other duties that may be assigned.

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.