Mechanic

Palmer Bus Service, Inc.; Cloquet (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Palmer Bus Service, Inc. is seeking a skilled Mechanic to diagnose, repair, and maintain school buses and company vehicles.

You will inspect, diagnose, and service a range of components, ensuring DOT compliance and safety across our fleet. The role requires strong diagnostic abilities, reliability, and the ability to work independently, with prerequisites including a Minnesota CDL with passenger and air brake endorsements.

Qualifications

• Strong diagnostic skills to identify service requirements.
• Ability to work independently and reliably in varying environments.
• Effective communication with diverse groups and team members.
• Must obtain/maintain Minnesota CDL with passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements.

Responsibilities

• Inspect vehicles and perform diagnostics to determine needed repairs.
• Conduct maintenance and repairs on school buses and company vehicles.
• Record service history and maintain accurate maintenance logs.
• Test drive vehicles to verify repairs and safety compliance.
• Keep shop clean, organized, and stocked with parts and supplies.

Skills

Diagnostic skills

Independent work

Reliability

Communication

Education

Minnesota CDL with passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements

Job description

The Mechanic is responsible for performing a wide range of diagnostics, repairs and maintenance on school buses and other company vehicles.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Determine vehicle condition by conducting inspections and diagnostic tests; identifying worn and damaged parts.
• Keep equipment DOT compliant by completing preventative maintenance scheduled, including, but not limited to; installing components, parts, or systems, such as, power and drive trains, electrical, fuel, exhaust system, braking, steering, hydraulics; air/hydraulic brakes; making adjustments and alignments including bearing loads, valve mechanisms, oil systems, control linkages, clutches, and traction units.
• Verify vehicle performance by conducting test drives and visual inspections.
• Maintain vehicle records by service and repair orders.
• Ensure all shop equipment is maintained and in good operating condition.
• Contain costs by using warranty; evaluating service and parts options.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies, ensuring orders are placed and inventory is received.
• Maintain job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading technical and regulation publications.
• Enhance maintenance department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Keep shop clean and organized.
• Keep shop manager / site manager updated on repairs and maintenance.

Other Functions

• Attend meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the maintenance
  department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Strong technical knowledge acquired through education or work experience.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Minnesota Commercial Driver’s License with passenger, school bus and air brake endorsements. Must maintain once acquired
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of MNDOT inspection requirements.

Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Able to perform diesel engine troubleshooting, overhaul procedures and tune-up on both mechanical and electronic engines.
• Able to perform maintenance and repair on electrical and electronic systems, steering and suspension, air and hydraulic brake systems.
• Able to diagnose, repair and overhaul of clutch, transmission and drive axles.
• Able to adhere to all safety practices.
• Able to prepare and maintain accurate records.

Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Be reliable and capable of working independently.
• Strong diagnostic skills to identify service requirements.
• Display tact and courtesy, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Able to communicate with diverse groups.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:

• Usually work indoors. May occasionally repair buses on the road.
• Sometimes work with hazardous equipment, tools, situations, and conditions.
• Wear company issued uniform.
• Work inside various types of buses. Often test drive them before, during, and after repairs.
• Wear protective / safety gear as required.