Service Writer I

Palmer Trucks; Effingham (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Paid training

Job summary

Palmer Trucks is seeking a Service Writer to greet customers, collect service requests, and coordinate scheduling. The role involves estimating repair costs, processing warranty documentation, and managing repair orders through the shop’s systems.

You will support the Service department with clerical duties, liaise with vendors, and assist in ensuring timely, accurate service delivery for heavy-duty trucks.

Qualifications

• Greet customers and coordinate service requests.
• Maintain documentation for warranty and policy settlements.
• Handle shop repair orders and invoicing.
• Communicate with vendors and OEMs for information.

Responsibilities

• Receive inbound service requests and schedule appointments.
• Greet drivers and assist at the location.
• Track and update repair orders with the Service Manager and Foremen.
• Advise customers on needed maintenance and potential additional work.
• Ensure proper documentation for labor sales (customer, internal, warranty).
• Maintain cleanliness of shop and office areas.
• Stay informed on service bulletins, recalls, and warranty info.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Tools

Repair Order Processing Software

Job description

Description

SERVICE WRITER

Reports To: Service Manager

Summary

The primary function of the Service Writer is ensure customers are greeted openly and friendly and to provide extra mile customer service. The individual receives customer requests for service, coordinates scheduling and customer uptime with triage. The Service Writer estimates the cost of repairs within set guidelines and manages shop repair orders process through technology. The individual also assists Service department with clerical duties, such as documentation required for warranty, policy settlements, customer, and vendor contact.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities for the position on a daily, weekly, or annual basis.

• Receives Inbound Customer phone calls concerning service scheduling and requests.
• Greets and Assists Drivers at the location with their unit.
• Coordinates and tracks the status of customer repair orders with Service Manager and Shop Foremen for task assignment. Ensures customers receive the most expedient service available through listening, questioning, and understanding repair requests.
• Works with Service Manager to ensure timely action taken and settled in areas of disputes and warranty.
• Assures all documentation necessary for the sale of labor (customer, internal, and warranty) is complete and properly executed.
• Maintains repair orders by ensuring they are properly opened and closed timely.
• Stays informed of current service bulletins, recalls, and warranty information.
• Informs the Service Manager of all customer complaints so they may be handled before the vehicle leaves the shop.
• Advises customers of needed service work, as well as suggests additional labor, parts, and body shop sales whenever possible (i.e., Preventive Maintenance Inspections, related service work, etc.).
• Contacts vendors and OEM’s for product information or authorizations.
• Obtains purchase orders from customers and sublet providers.
• Participates in training to stay current on technical and warranty issues.
• Assists in maintaining a clean shop and office area.

Business Skills

Individual has demonstrated a strong set of business skills listed below

• Conflict Management - Understanding, addressing and resolving conflict constructively
• Interpersonal Skills - Effectively communicating, building rapport and relating well to all kinds of people
• Understanding Others - Understanding the uniqueness and contributions of others
• Customer Focus - Anticipating, meeting and/or exceeding customer needs, wants and expectations
• Flexibility - Readily modifying, responding and adapting to change with minimal resistance
• Teamwork - Cooperating with others to meet objectives
• Influencing Others - Personally affecting others actions, decisions, opinions or thinking
• Time and Priority Management - Prioritizing and completing tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted timeframes

Requirements

Behaviors

Candidate needs to have the following behaviors for superior job performance.

• Interaction - The job requires frequent communication and engagement with others.
• People-Oriented - The job requires building rapport with a wide range of individuals.
• Customer-Oriented - The job requires identification and fulfillment of customer expectations.
• Versatile - The job requires adapting to various situations with ease.
• Frequent Change - The job requires rapid shifts between tasks.
• Urgency - The job requires decisiveness, quick response, and fast action.
• Persistence - The job requires finishing tasks despite challenges or resistance.Following Policy - The job requires adhering to rules, regulations or existing methods.
• Consistent - The job requires predictable performance in repetitive situations.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual should know basic Computer skills and Repair Order Processing Software.

• Working hours: The individual may be required to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, or extended hours based on the repair shop's operational needs. They may also need to be available for on-call or emergency situations.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical requirements commonly associated with an individual working as a Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Repair Shop and not a technician.

• Mobility: The individual should be capable of moving around the repair shop, including walking, standing, and potentially bending or kneeling to inspect vehicles or equipment.
• Vision: Good eyesight and visual acuity are important for the individual to oversee repairs, inspect components, read technical manuals, and ensure quality control.
• Hearing: The individual should have good hearing to communicate effectively with technicians, customers, and vendors, and to be aware of any audible warnings or signals in the repair shop.
• Manual dexterity: A certain level of manual dexterity is required for the individual to handle paperwork, use computer systems, and potentially assist technicians with tasks such as parts ordering or equipment setup.
• Lifting: While heavy lifting may not be the primary responsibility of the individual, the ability to occasionally lift and move objects such as tools, equipment, or parts may be necessary.

About Palmer Trucks

Palmer Trucks is a full-service Kenworth dealership network serving Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois with a comprehensive package of products and services. As a family-owned business with more than a half-century history of growth and success, Palmer Trucks has grown to a team of more than700

individuals. With more than two million trucks on U.S. highways and interstates at any given time, a paramount need exists to keep the industry moving forward – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We maintain a commitment to forming authentic and valuable connections through fulfilling the industry’s unique, time-sensitive needs as a trusted partner. We accomplish this by providing products and services of the highest quality and value – personalized for you.

Because of this philosophy, we develop and nurture long-term, valuable relationships with our partners. The Palmer Trucks team has the utmost privilege and gratitude of doing business, and these core values are what keep customers returning year-after-year, and are what have kept us – On the Road Since 1965.

Benefits

Palmer Trucks is a family-owned company with nearly 60 years of success, treating everyone with respect and dignity. Our team is always ready to help you find the best benefits package for you and your family.

Individual, Spouse and Family coverage Multiple Products are affordable and provide value for you and your family.

• Health and Wellness Benefits
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance

Financial stability and Retirement Preparedness:

• Our 401(k) program includes a company match
• Retirement Planning Assistance
• Financial Guidance and Education

Paid Time Off:

• Full-time employees enjoy paid holidays and personal time
• Vacation based on the length of service.

Resources when we face major challenges and life events:

• Company Paid Short Term Disability Insurance and
• Long Term Disability Insurance, Additional Life Insurance Hospital Stay, Critical Illness, other products
• Bereavement Services and Employment Assistance Program
• Mental Health Resources readily accessible and without stigma

Paid Training and Tools Assistance to do the job right.

Job Posting Information

Palmer Trucks is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability during any part of the application process, please contact:[e-mail]

Palmer Trucks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All Applicants are considered for employment without a regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or any other legally protected.

Revised: November 2025