Shop Manager

FIRST STUDENT MANAGEMENT LLC; 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 Management LLC in Normal, IL is seeking a Shop Manager to oversee maintenance operations, supervise shop staff, and provide maintenance visibility to the Location Manager. You will drive safe, reliable fleet performance for the surrounding school district and coordinate with dispatch and region maintenance.

The role requires 5+ years of hands-on mechanical supervisory experience, a high school diploma, and willingness to pursue ASE certification.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on mechanical supervisory experience.
• 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.
• May require lifting 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.

Responsibilities

• Schedules and administers fleet maintenance, assists in troubleshooting problems with equipment.
• Communicates availability of vehicles for service with dispatch and other operations personnel.
• Hires, fires, approves salary changes, trains and develops staff, plans and directs work, disciplines, and conducts performance reviews.
• Works with location manager and regional maintenance to provide status of maintenance and budget requirements.
• Reviews financial and budget variances, repair orders, and approves accounts payable documents.
• Ensures compliance with State, Federal and Company requirements; maintains a safe environment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Computer skills

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training

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

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.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do.

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure.

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities.

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion.

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence.