VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FOREPERSON

Vehicle Maintenance Foreperson

Our Transportation Department is seeking a Vehicle Maintenance Foreperson to join their team for the 2026-2027 school year! Vehicle Maintenance Foreperson serves as a working lead responsible for coordinating, assigning, and inspecting the work of vehicle maintenance staff while performing journey-level mechanical work. This position supports the Vehicle Maintenance Manager in ensuring the district fleet is maintained in safe, reliable operating condition and that maintenance operations are efficient, compliant, and aligned with district standards.

Highline Public Schools serves students and families in the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center in Washington state. Every student in Highline Public Schools is known by name, strength and need, and graduates prepared for the future they choose. In 2013, families, students, staff and community members across Highline came together to develop a strategic plan that reflects our goals and dreams for students. Our strategic plan is our equity plan and is guided by Our Promise. In 2023, the strategic plan was updated to guide our work, identifying four bold goals:

• Culture of Belonging: A culture where all are welcome, valued, and safe.
• Innovative Learning: Academic experiences that engage, empower, and challenge every student.
• Bilingual & Biliterate: Multicultural skills that enable students to live, work, and communicate across cultures.
• Future Ready: Students explore possibilities and develop mindsets that prepare them for a changing future.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Team Coordination

• Act as lead worker for vehicle maintenance staff; assign, prioritize, and inspect work.
• Assist the Vehicle Maintenance Manager in daily shop operations and long-term planning.
• Serve as acting supervisor in the absence of the Vehicle Maintenance Manager.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to mechanics and other assigned staff.
• Assist in employee selection, onboarding, and performance feedback processes.

Fleet Maintenance and Operations

• Perform complex diagnostics, repair, overhaul, and preventive maintenance on buses, trucks, and district vehicles.
• Assist in diagnosing malfunctions and determining appropriate repair methods.
• Inspect completed work to ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Participate in and support a comprehensive preventative maintenance program.

Planning, Inventory, and Records

• Plan and schedule maintenance and repair work; coordinate workflow and shop priorities.
• Maintain work orders, service records, and documentation for compliance and operational tracking.
• Assist with parts procurement, inventory control, and evaluation of materials and equipment
• Evaluate new equipment, tools, and methods and provide recommendations.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards related to student transportation and vehicle maintenance.
• Promote and enforce shop safety practices and proper housekeeping.
• Maintain knowledge of school bus specifications and regulatory requirements.

Other

• Perform journey-level mechanic duties as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Vehicle Maintenance Manager.

Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent and three years of experience in vehicle maintenance, including heavy-duty diesel, truck, or bus repair. Demonstrated experience as a journey-level mechanic is required. Preferred qualifications include supervisory, lead, or team coordination experience, successful completion of medium/heavy equipment trade program, and experience in a school district or public sector fleet environment.

Valid WA State driver's license, pre-employment, post hire physical assessment test, criminal background clearance, within 90 days of hire, obtain a Class B CDL (Commercial Driver's License) with P1 endorsement and air brake restriction removed; maintain license for duration of employment in this position. All certificates, licenses, endorsements, permits, and vaccines (absent exemption) as required for this position by state and local authorities.

Knowledge of vehicle and equipment maintenance, repair, and diagnostic techniques, preventative maintenance programs, safety standards, laws, codes, rules and regulations for school buses and all other types of vehicles, district board policy and procedures.

Ability to lead, assign, and review the work of others, diagnose and repair a wide range of mechanical and electrical issues, read and interpret manuals, schematics, and work orders, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, maintain effective working relationships, prioritize tasks and manage workflow in a fast-paced environment, follow and enforce safety standards and district procedures.