Fleet Maintenance Manager

As the Maintenance Manager, you will lead the daily maintenance, fleet readiness, and maintenance facility functions for Cathay Express Transportation, Inc.’s Queens operation. Reporting to the assigned operations leader and coordinating with Maintenance & Fleet leadership, this hands-on role is responsible for safe, compliant, reliable, and service-ready vehicles, maintenance staff direction, vendor coordination, preventive maintenance, repairs, inspections, parts control, shop safety, and maintenance records. The Maintenance Manager is expected to protect daily pullout, support service continuity, and ensure maintenance practices meet Company, client, and New York State DOT expectations. Company Background Cathay Express Transportation, Inc. is a Queens-based transportation provider serving patients, nursing homes, clinics, private organizations, healthcare partners, public agencies, and community transportation customers throughout New York City and New York State. The company provides non-emergency medical transportation, ambulette, wheelchair, stretcher, school bus, public transit, and related mobility services with a strong focus on safe, timely, reliable, and customer-centered service. Cathay leaders are expected to manage through the Company's Five Operating Pillars: Safety, Service, People, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement. These principles guide daily decision-making, employee development, customer communication, operational performance, and continuous improvement across the contract. Primary Duties and Responsibilities Maintenance Leadership and Fleet Readiness: Lead the day-to-day maintenance operation, including mechanics, bus washers, utility workers, vendors, and related administrative support. Plan daily work assignments to protect pullout, vehicle availability, scheduled service, inspections, and repair priorities. Ensure buses and support vehicles are safe, clean, inspected, fueled, and service-ready before assignment. Maintain clear communication with operations and dispatch on vehicle status, spares, road calls, defects, and service-impacting repairs. New York State DOT, Safety, and Compliance: Maintain maintenance practices, records, and inspections in line with New York State DOT, client, and Company requirements. Support NYSDOT inspections, audits, corrective actions, preventive maintenance records, and vehicle compliance files. Ensure DVIR defects, out-of-service issues, safety concerns, and repeated vehicle problems are documented, prioritized, and resolved. Reinforce shop safety, safe work practices, environmental controls, and Company policies; no unsafe vehicle may be placed in service. Preventive Maintenance and Repair Management: Develop, monitor, and execute preventive maintenance schedules for all assigned vehicles and equipment. Approve repair priorities based on safety, service needs, parts availability, inspection deadlines, and scheduled operations. Track PM compliance, vehicle availability, road calls, repeat defects, open work orders, and repair turnaround times. Review completed repairs for quality, accuracy, documentation, and readiness before vehicles return to service. Staffing, Training, and Accountability: Hire, train, schedule, coach, and hold maintenance staff accountable for safety, productivity, quality, attendance, and documentation. Conduct practical training on inspections, DVIR follow-up, shop procedures, vehicle systems, safety rules, and maintenance documentation. Address performance issues promptly and coordinate with HR, Safety, and leadership on corrective action when needed. Maintain a professional, organized, and accountable shop culture focused on safety, service, and reliability. Vendor, Parts, and Inventory Control: Coordinate and oversee work performed by outside vendors, repair shops, parts suppliers, towing providers, and specialty service providers. Manage parts, tools, supplies, inventory levels, purchase requests, warranties, and vendor follow-up. Confirm outside repairs are completed correctly, documented properly, and aligned with Company standards and service needs. Identify cost, quality, warranty, or vendor performance issues and elevate when appropriate. Facility, Equipment, and Vehicle Appearance: Support cleanliness, organization, safety, and readiness of the maintenance facility, yard, tools, lifts, equipment, and vehicle staging areas. Oversee bus washing, cleaning, fueling support, vehicle appearance, and service-readiness standards. Ensure shop equipment is used safely, maintained properly, and removed from service when defective or unsafe. Coordinate facility or equipment issues that may affect employee safety, vehicle readiness, or service delivery. Budget, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement: Participate in maintenance budget planning, cost control, repair decisions, parts planning, and vendor review. Prepare routine updates on fleet readiness, PM compliance, road calls, open defects, out-of-service vehicles, staffing, and repair trends. Use maintenance data and field observations to identify recurring issues and improve reliability, safety, and cost performance. Recommend practical improvements to maintenance workflows, inspections, vehicle staging, documentation, and service support. Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned to support the safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of Norwich / Chenango County Transit Services. Support Company goals related to safety, compliance, service quality, vehicle readiness, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. Qualifications & Skills Required Qualifications: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required. Minimum of seven (5) years of experience in heavy-duty automotive, bus, transit, school bus, paratransit, diesel, or fleet maintenance required. Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience managing mechanics, utility workers, vendors, shop staff, or maintenance operations required. Broad understanding of heavy-duty vehicle systems, including brakes, air systems, electrical, steering, suspension, engines, drivetrains, wheelchair lifts, and safety equipment. Hands-on experience with preventive maintenance, inspections, diagnostics, road-call response, work orders, parts control, and vehicle readiness. Experience with New York State DOT inspections, maintenance records, vehicle compliance files, or NYSDOT-regulated fleet operations strongly preferred. Valid CDL Class B or higher with passenger and air brake endorsements preferred. Strong Microsoft Office, email, reporting, and maintenance tracking skills. Skills and Knowledge: Ability to manage maintenance priorities in a live transportation environment where vehicle availability affects service delivery. Strong leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and follow-through skills. Familiarity with laws and regulations related to safe maintenance facility operations, vehicle inspections, hazardous materials, shop safety, and employee safety. Ability to read and use maintenance records, inspection reports, DVIRs, work orders, parts records, and fleet performance reports. Ability to coordinate effectively with operations, dispatch, drivers, vendors, client representatives, and Company leadership. Ability to work shifts, flexible schedules, weekends, and emergency coverage as operational needs require. Preferred Technology Experience: Fleet maintenance software, work-order systems, GPS or telematics platforms, and vehicle inspection systems. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and shared digital tracking tools. Samsara or similar vehicle monitoring, GPS, camera, or fleet safety platforms. Job Requirements Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be willing to submit to required background checks and comply with Company drug-testing requirements. Must comply with DOT drug testing and physical requirements when applicable. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including cannabis, for any reason. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Must be able to work on-site in the Norwich / Chenango County service area and respond to maintenance or service-readiness needs as required. Physical Demands This position requires the ability to work in both office and maintenance facility environments, including time indoors and outdoors. The role may require standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, kneeling, lifting, using tools and shop equipment, inspecting vehicles, moving through the yard and maintenance areas, and working at a computer or phone for extended periods. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request. Proposed Hours + Travel Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 On-site, full-time based in the New York Cityservice area. Flexibility is required based on service needs, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, emergencies, service disruptions, inspections, road calls, staffing shortages, and limited local travel. Travel outside the immediate service area is expected to be limited and generally less than 10%. Disclaimer The duties and responsibilities listed above are subject to change and may not reflect all tasks required. As Cathay Express Transportation, Inc. continues to grow and evolve, certain tasks may be adjusted to support operational needs. Any material changes in duties and responsibilities will be discussed in advance. Cathay Express Transportation, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. The company strives to attract and retain a diverse workforce and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr