Manager Shop
First Student is hiring a Shop Manager in New Britain, CT to manage all location maintenance operations and provide oversight to the shop staff.
About the Role
The Shop Manager directly supervises a team of 9 maintenance technicians and provides maintenance operational visibility to the Location Manager. This role assumes primary responsibility for the efficient maintenance performance of a fleet of more than 240 vehicles supporting the New Britain Consolidated School District. The fleet includes Thomas C2 school buses, GM and Ford 4500 vehicles, Dodge minivans, and Ford Transit vehicles.
Responsibilities
- Schedules and administers fleet maintenance and assists in troubleshooting equipment concerns.
- Communicates vehicle availability and maintenance status with dispatch and other operations personnel.
- Supervises, trains, develops, and directs the work of the maintenance team.
- Participates in hiring, performance management, employee development, disciplinary actions, and the handling of employee concerns or grievances.
- Works closely with the Location Manager and regional maintenance leadership to communicate fleet status, maintenance needs, staffing requirements, and budget considerations.
- May review financial and budget variances, repair orders, and accounts-payable documentation.
- Ensures daily compliance with state, federal, company, and safety requirements.
- Maintains a safe shop environment and ensures all maintenance activities comply with company policies and regulatory standards.
- Reviews and approves repair orders.
- May order fuel, parts, supplies, and outside repair services.
- Initiates and implements projects designed to improve efficiency, fleet availability, and operating costs.
- Ensures technicians are trained on current procedures, properly equipped, and able to complete work safely, efficiently, and within established timelines.
- Supervises bus fueling and may coordinate services for the building and grounds.
- Completes special projects as assigned.
- Performs hands-on maintenance and repair work as operational needs require.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Technical or vocational training preferred.
- Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program; training, testing, and certification bonuses are provided.
- Valid driver's license required.
- Willingness to obtain a CDL while employed; company-paid training is provided.
Qualifications
- At least 5 years of hands-on mechanical and supervisory experience.
- Experience leading technicians in a fleet-maintenance or transportation environment.
- Strong knowledge of preventive maintenance, diagnostics, repair procedures, and shop operations.
- Experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Computer proficiency and experience with maintenance-management systems.
- Ability to plan work, prioritize repairs, manage shop productivity, and maintain fleet availability.
- Ability to lift between 20 and 50 pounds.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
This position works primarily in a maintenance-shop environment and requires the ability to perform hands-on mechanical duties. The Shop Manager must be able to work in crouched, kneeling, standing, and lying positions, including working beneath vehicles using a mechanic's dolly. The position may involve exposure to dust, dirt, grease, oils, vehicle fluids, noise, and other typical shop conditions.
Pay
Annual salary: $95,000 with additional bonus potential.
Schedule
Monday through Friday, full-time, 9-hour shifts.
Benefits
- Full benefits, including health, dental, and vision.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Paid holidays and PTO.