Lead Mechanic

Lead Mechanic

The Lead Mechanic plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates all vehicle maintenance operations for the Office of Pupil Transportation and Fleet Management. The position oversees preventive maintenance, inspections, diagnostics, repairs, parts inventory, regulatory compliance, and fleet lifecycle management to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Division's transportation fleet, including white fleet passenger vehicles and school buses.

The Lead Mechanic is responsible for supervising approximately seven to eight maintenance employees, including mechanics, service personnel, and the Parts & Supply Inventory Supervisor. This position establishes maintenance priorities, promotes predictive and preventive maintenance practices, manages maintenance technology and fleet information systems, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing school buses and fleet vehicles.

The Lead Mechanic serves as the Division's subject matter expert for fleet maintenance operations and works collaboratively with transportation operations, vendors, manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and school division leadership to maximize vehicle reliability, minimize downtime, and ensure safe transportation services for students and staff.

This position is a 12-month, 260-day role.

Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Language: Ability to speak and understand English; Bilingual is preferred.
• Experience: At least three (3) years of mechanical, transportation, fleet maintenance, supervisory experience, training, or related field. Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be accepted in lieu of the stated experience requirements.
• Licenses: Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class B with no air brake restriction is required. Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements preferred or willingness to obtain within one year, as required.
• Certifications: ASE certifications and/or Virginia State Inspector Certification preferred or willingness to obtain within one year, as required.

Key Competencies:

• Fleet Maintenance Leadership: Ability to lead and supervise fleet maintenance operations while promoting efficiency, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance: Knowledge of preventive maintenance schedules, predictive maintenance practices, warranty management, equipment lifecycle planning, and asset management.
• Mechanical & Technical Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicle systems, including engines, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, HVAC, hydraulics, steering, suspension, emissions systems, and diagnostic technology.
• Fleet Technology: Knowledge of computerized fleet maintenance software, telematics, GPS systems, vehicle electronics, diagnostic software, fuel management systems, and emerging fleet technologies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of federal, state, VDOE, FMCSA, OSHA, EPA, and manufacturer requirements governing school buses, fleet vehicles, maintenance facilities, inspections, environmental compliance, and workplace safety.
• Budget & Resource Management: Ability to manage maintenance budgets, inventory, contracts, vendor services, procurement, warranties, and fleet replacement planning.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with employees, leadership, vendors, regulatory agencies, and transportation staff while maintaining positive professional relationships. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem Solving: Ability to analyze maintenance trends, diagnose operational issues, prioritize repairs, and develop practical solutions to maintain uninterrupted transportation services.

Core Responsibilities:

• Plan, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate all fleet maintenance operations.
• Supervise and manage approximately 7–8 maintenance employees, including mechanics, service personnel, and the Parts & Supply Inventory Supervisor.
• Establish daily work assignments and maintenance priorities to ensure timely completion of repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Monitor fleet performance, maintenance trends, vehicle reliability, warranty opportunities, and recurring repair issues.
• Review and approve work orders, maintenance records, inspections, and repair documentation.
• Manage the acquisition, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of fleet vehicles and equipment throughout their lifecycle.
• Oversee vehicle inspections to ensure compliance with state inspection requirements and Division safety standards.
• Manage vendor relationships, outside repair services, maintenance contracts, and equipment procurement.
• Monitor and maintain annual maintenance budgets, capital replacement plans, and equipment purchases.
• Analyze maintenance expenditures and recommend cost-saving initiatives, while maintaining service quality and safety.
• Respond to major vehicle breakdowns, accidents, environmental incidents, and emergency maintenance situations.
• Collaborate with transportation operations to minimize service interruptions and maximize fleet availability.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to maintenance personnel while identifying training needs and supporting professional development.
• Evaluate employee performance, provide coaching, conduct corrective actions, and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Maintain safe shop operations and ensure compliance with workplace safety policies and procedures.
• Monitor advancements in fleet maintenance technology, alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and industry best practices.
• Prepare reports regarding fleet performance, maintenance metrics, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Participate in emergency management activities, inclement weather response, other professional development courses, as required.
• Ensure compliance with Virginia Department of Education, Virginia State Police, Department of Transportation, FMCSA, OSHA, EPA, and manufacturer maintenance standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Skin Test