Shop Manager

First Student, Inc.; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, 401(k)

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

First Student, Inc. in Normal, IL is seeking a Shop Manager to lead location maintenance operations and supervise shop staff. You will provide operational visibility to the Location Manager and ensure efficient maintenance performance for the fleet serving the local school district.

The role emphasizes safety, budget awareness, and hands-on leadership. Candidates should have 5+ years of mechanical supervisory experience, strong communication, and CDL readiness with ASE training encouraged.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical training preferred.
• Willingness to participate in ASE certification program; training, testing, and bonuses provided.
• Valid driver's license required; willingness to obtain CDL with training provided.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and administers fleet maintenance; coordinates availability of vehicles for service with dispatch and operations staff.
• Hire, fire, salary decisions; training and performance reviews.
• Provides maintenance status and budget needs to Location/Region management; may review variances and approve documents.
• Ensure day-to-day compliance with state, federal and company requirements; maintain a safe environment.
• Review repair orders; order fuel, parts, and subcontract repair work.
• Initiate projects to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Ensure maintenance staff are trained, equipped, and motivated for safe, timely results.
• Supervise bus fueling; arrange building and grounds services as needed.
• Complete special projects; perform hands-on work as required.

Skills

Supervisory

Communication skills

Computer skills

Diesel engines

School bus equipment

Education

High school diploma

Technical training

ASE certification willingness

CDL willingness

Job description

First Student is now hiring a Shop Manager in Normal, IL!

The Shop Manager manages all location maintenance operations and provides shop staff oversight. Directly supervises shop staff. Provides maintenance operational visibility to the Location Manager. Assumes primary responsibility for managing efficient maintenance performance of the location. Ensures safe working conditions of fleet supporting the surrounding School District.

We Offer

Annual Salary: $80-85,000 based on skills and experience

Schedule: Monday through Friday, full time shift

Full benefits including health, dental, vision, & 401(k)

Paid holidays and PTO

Major Responsibilities

• Schedules and administers fleet maintenance, assists in troubleshooting problems with equipment. Communicates availability of vehicles for service with dispatch and other operations personnel.
• In relation to subordinates, is responsible for hiring; firing; approving salary increases or decreases; training and employee development; planning and directing the work; disciplining; handling employee complaints or grievances; and handling performance reviews.
• Works closely with the location manager and region maintenance management providing status of maintenance and budget requirements. May review financial and budget variances, review repair orders or code and approve account payable documents.
• Ensures compliance on a day-to-day basis with State, Federal and Company requirements. Ensures a safe environment exists and that all maintenance and related activities are in conformance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews repair orders. May order fuel for vehicles, order parts, and subcontract repair work.
• Initiates and implements projects that improve efficiency and/or reduces operating costs.
• Ensures that maintenance technicians are trained on current operating procedures, are properly equipped, and motivated so that the maintenance program can be accomplished in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner.
• Supervises bus fueling. May arrange services for building and ground keeping.
• Completes special projects as assigned. Required to perform hands-on work activities.

Minimum Education or Certifications Required

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Technical training preferred
• Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program (training, testing, and bonuses provided)
• Valid driver's license required; willingness to obtain CDL while employed - we provide training

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical supervisory experience
• May require lifting of 20 to 50 lbs
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Computer skills
• Industry experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment is preferred

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Maintenance Shop
• Must be able to work in a crouched position or on back lying on mechanic's dolly beneath motor vehicle equipment; subjected to dust, dirt, and grease conditions.

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.