School Bus Mechanic

School Bus Mechanic

The primary purpose of the School Bus Mechanic is to execute comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and structural repairs on the district's fleet. By maintaining top-tier vehicle readiness, this position plays a critical role in supporting the daily educational mission, ensuring students arrive at school and home safely and on time.

The School Bus Mechanic works under the direct supervision of the Shop Foreman and Transportation Director. The main goal of this position is to keep the entire school bus fleet safe, reliable, and running smoothly by collaborating with other mechanics, bus drivers, and district staff. Daily work involves performing routine oil changes, fixing brakes, repairing diesel engines, and inspecting critical safety components.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform, assist and oversee mechanical repairs including major overhauls.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the Department of Transportation and state specific state-specific safety regulations.
• Perform mechanical repairs including major overhauls.
• Perform complex diagnostics on both diesel and gasoline engine vehicles.
• Perform annual state bus inspections.
• Perform preventative maintenance and quarterly inspections.
• Communicate with vendors.
• Assist with the coordinate of emergency road service and break downs.
• Participate in mandatory professional development.
• Maintain effective working relationships with department members, school personnel, and community members, including those from diverse backgrounds or with limited English proficiency
• Assist, when required, as a substitute driver on route(s) or trips.
• Complies with all District policies, procedures, and professional conduct codes.
• Assist with coordinating transportation for special activities, including field trips and athletic events.
• Assist with bus accidents.
• Assist with road assessment following severe weather.
• Assist with the repair of the District's white fleet.

The above statements reflect general job functions but are not an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or balance workloads.

Position Qualifications:

• Possess a diesel mechanic certification.
• Must obtain all other necessary certifications and licenses to operate a school bus in Arkansas, including compliance with new regulations enacted after the start of employment.
• Must be able to communicate professionally and effectively with the mechanic and transportation staff, school personnel and the general public.
• Must be familiar with computerized record-keeping and spreadsheets.
• Must be able to read, understand, and follow multi-step written and verbal instructions in English.
• Must adhere to established safety practices.
• Must comply with District, state, and national vehicle safety regulations.
• Must follow routines and meet deadlines and schedules.
• Must maintain composure and act logically under stressful conditions and emergencies.
• Must demonstrate flexibility to changing work environments.
• Must work accurately with attention to detail.
• Must meet all minimum qualifications as an employee of the North Little Rock School District in a safety sensitive position to include passing a background check and pre-employment and random drug screens.

Competency Statement(s):

• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of customers' needs while following company procedures.
• Diversity Oriented - Ability to work effectively with people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Honesty/Integrity - Ability to be truthful and seen as credible in the workplace.
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, avoiding hastiness or impetuousness.
• Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.
• Team Player - Ability to positively work with a group of people to work toward a goal.

Education:

• High school diploma preferred.

Experience:

• Class A or B Commercial Driver's Licence with a Passenger and School Bus Endorsement or the ability to obtain the endorsements within 60 days of start of employment.
• Experience managing work orders, tracking mechanic productivity, conducting performance evaluations and handling disciplinary actions.
• Experience ordering parts.
• Experience with modern diagnostic software (e.g., Cummins Insite, Allison DOC) and fleet management software for record-keeping.
• Experience with computerized record-keeping and spreadsheets.
• Experience in handling communication with drivers, managing breakdowns and accidents.
• Experience in resolving equipment failures, and route changes.
• Experience in using electronic notification systems and computer-guided routing software.
• Experience in maintaining effective working relationships with diverse groups of people, including those with limited English proficiency.
• Experience in complying with safety practices and vehicle safety regulations.

Physical Demands:

Physical Abilities:

• Stand: Frequently (F)
• Walk: Frequently (F)
• Sit: Constantly (C)
• Handling/Fingering: Frequently (F)
• Reach Outward: Frequently (F)
• Reach Above Shoulder: Frequently (F)
• Climb: Occasionally (O)
• Crawl: Occasionally (O)
• Squat or Kneel: Frequently (F)
• Bend: Frequently (F)

Push/Pull:

• 12 lbs or less: Frequently (F)
• 13-25 lbs: Frequently (F)
• 26-40 lbs: Occasionally (F)
• 41-100 lbs: Occasionally (F)

Other Physical Requirements:

• Vision: Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth Perception
• Sense of Sound: Ability to hear traffic signals, warnings
• Sense of Touch
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to loud, depending on the activities of the day.