POSITION CLASS TITLE: HEAD AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC
JURISDICTIONAL CLASS: Competitive
CIVIL DIVISION: School
AUTHORIZATION: Oswego County Personnel Officer
December 1978 (Revised 4/04, 3/18, 10/18, 4/23)
POSITION CLASS DEFINITION:
Essential nature of work, degree of difficulty and responsibility.
This position has primary responsibility for supervising and performing skilled automotive repair and maintenance tasks to a variety of automotive equipment and related machinery requiring a thorough knowledge of the trade. This class differs from Senior Automotive Mechanic because of a larger operation or because of additional involvement with the total operation of the transportation function such as assisting a superior in route planning, budget preparation, and supervision of bus drivers. The work is performed under general supervision allowing wide leeway for the exercise of independent judgment in performing the technical aspects of the work. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate automotive mechanics and bus drivers. The incumbent performs related work as required.
PRIMARY WORK ACTIVITIES:
Typical activities characteristic of the class.
-- Supervises, coordinates, and maintains preventive maintenance on school district motor vehicles;
-- Performs skilled operations in the repair and overhaul of gasoline and diesel motor equipment, including trucks, tractors, cars, and buses;
-- Repairs or replaces motor pumps, fuel pumps, generators, carburetors and shock absorbers;
-- Repairs ignition systems, transmissions, brake systems, clutches, vehicle cooling systems, and front and rear axles;
-- Adjusts connecting rods and bearings, steering mechanisms and aligns wheels;
-- Greases vehicles, changes oil, oil filters, and other fluids;
-- Makes minor welding and body repairs to automotive equipment;
-- Keeps maintenance and repair records with established policies and procedures;
-- Requisitions replacement of parts and equipment;
-- Maintains trip records and prepares transportation reports including accident reports;
-- Assists in establishing routes to be followed by the bus drivers;
-- Calls and assigns substitute drivers;
-- Maintains time records for payroll purposes;
-- Assists in preparing transportation budget estimates and recommendations;
-- May operate a school bus;
-- Assigns drivers to special field trips.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Summary of full performance level characteristics.
THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF: Standard automotive repair methods and of the terminology and tools of the trade;
ABILITY TO: make difficult repairs to heavy automotive and other mechanical equipment; of operation of buses; of geography of the district; of safety procedures and traffic laws and regulations; plan and supervise the work of others; good motor and hand and eye coordination; manual dexterity; good physical condition.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, specialized background, training and experience.
A. Possession of an associate’s degree in automotive repair technology, automotive mechanic technology, automotive service technology, or related field and two (2) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of automotive equipment; OR
B. Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and three (3) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of automotive equipment; OR
C. Four (4) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of automotive equipment; OR
D. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of “A,” “B,” and “C” above.
NOTE: Your degree or credit hours must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree or credit hours were awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You may contact the Human Resources Department for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
CENTRAL SQUARE SCHOOL DISTRICT | TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Head School Bus Mechanic Job Description
HEAD SCHOOL BUS MECHANIC
JOB DESCRIPTION
Department: Transportation
Reports To: Director of Transportation / Assistant Director of Transportation
Position: Head School Bus Mechanic
License: CDL Class B with P and S Endorsements
Position Summary
The Head School Bus Mechanic is responsible for the daily leadership and operation of the Transportation Department maintenance garage and for ensuring the district's school buses, vehicles, tow truck, and related equipment are maintained in a safe, reliable, clean, and inspection-ready condition. The Head Mechanic coordinates and prioritizes mechanic work, preventative maintenance, repairs, parts and inventory, inspections, and accurate Servicefinder documentation while maintaining regular communication with Transportation administration.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Oversee daily garage operations and provide direction and work assignments to mechanics and other assigned garage personnel.
• Establish repair priorities based on safety, operational needs, available buses, inspections, and scheduled transportation.
• Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair school buses and other district vehicles and equipment.
• Maintain and oversee the district's preventative maintenance program, including mileage and service intervals.
• Review buses placed out of service and ensure repairs are addressed promptly to minimize transportation disruptions.
• Communicate bus availability, major repairs, breakdowns, and out-of-service vehicles to the Director, Assistant Director, and dispatch.
• Perform and oversee road calls, emergency repairs, test drives, and follow-up on driver-reported defects.
• Maintain an organized, professional, productive, and safety-focused garage operation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director of Transportation.
Servicefinder Fleet Management
• Use Servicefinder as the department's primary system for maintenance, work orders, vehicle history, preventative maintenance, and inventory.
• Create, assign, update, review, and close work orders; ensure concerns, diagnosis, repairs, labor, and parts used are accurately documented.
• Monitor open work orders and ensure mechanics enter required information completely and promptly.
• Track preventative maintenance schedules, vehicle mileage, service intervals, inspections, and recurring mechanical concerns.
• Maintain accurate parts and supply inventory, including parts received, issued, transferred, and assigned to individual vehicles.
• Review Servicefinder records and reports for accuracy and use them to support maintenance planning, purchasing, budgeting, and fleet replacement decisions.
Parts, Purchasing and Inventory
• Maintain appropriate inventory of commonly used parts, filters, fluids, tires, bulbs, brake components, and garage supplies.
• Monitor inventory levels, obtain quotes, and order authorized parts and supplies in accordance with district purchasing procedures.
• Verify deliveries against purchase orders and invoices and ensure parts are properly entered into Servicefinder.
• Maintain an organized parts room and identify obsolete, damaged, or unnecessary inventory.
• Assist Transportation administration with garage and fleet maintenance budget planning.
NYS Inspections and Compliance
• Maintain the fleet in inspection-ready condition and coordinate preparation for required New York State inspections.
• Ensure inspection deficiencies and other identified defects are corrected promptly and documented.
• Maintain required maintenance and inspection records and communicate recurring or significant concerns to Transportation administration.
• Assist in maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal school transportation requirements.
CENTRAL SQUARE SCHOOL DISTRICT | TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Head School Bus Mechanic Job Description
Garage Supervision and Accountability
• Assign daily work, monitor progress and quality, and follow up on incomplete work and outstanding repairs.
• Ensure mechanics properly document repairs and labor in Servicefinder and appropriately care for district tools and equipment.
• Promote teamwork, professionalism, productivity, attendance, safety, work quality, organization, and accountability.
• Address routine garage concerns and promptly bring significant staffing, productivity, safety, or operational concerns to the Director or Assistant Director.
Garage and Bay Cleanliness
At the completion of each shift, the Head Mechanic shall ensure:
• Work bays are clean and organized; garbage and discarded materials are removed.
• Tools and equipment are returned to proper locations and parts/supplies are returned to designated storage areas.
• Fluids and spills are properly cleaned, used parts are appropriately handled, and safety hazards are corrected or reported.
• The garage is left safe, orderly, and ready for the next shift or workday.
Tow Truck and Road Service Responsibilities
• Safely operate the district's tow truck and associated recovery equipment when authorized and necessary.
• Respond to disabled district school buses and vehicles and perform appropriate roadside assistance, towing, or recovery.
• Inspect and maintain the tow truck and recovery equipment and report defects immediately.
• Conduct towing and recovery operations in accordance with applicable safety requirements and district procedures.
• Coordinate with Transportation administration during significant breakdowns or recovery operations.
New Bus, Vehicle and Seasonal Equipment Preparation
• Inspect newly delivered buses and vehicles, verify equipment/specifications, document defects or warranty concerns, and coordinate required preparation before service.
• Enter appropriate new-vehicle and maintenance information into Servicefinder and coordinate warranty repairs when necessary.
• Prepare the fleet for winter operations, including batteries, tires, fluids, heating systems, air systems, and other cold-weather components.
• Inspect and maintain snow-related equipment assigned to Transportation and coordinate summer maintenance and major repair projects.
Required License and Qualifications
The Head School Bus Mechanic shall possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class B, with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements. The employee must maintain all licenses, endorsements, medical certifications, driving qualifications, and other requirements necessary to legally operate assigned district vehicles.
The Head Mechanic must also be qualified and authorized to operate the district's tow truck and associated recovery equipment and maintain any licensing, training, or certification required for the equipment and operations assigned by the district.
Knowledge and Skills
• Diesel and gasoline engines; electrical/electronic systems; air and hydraulic brakes; steering and suspension; and vehicle diagnostics.
• Preventative maintenance, school bus safety equipment, NYS school bus inspection requirements, and heavy vehicle repair.
• Tow truck and vehicle recovery operations; parts and inventory management; and fleet maintenance software, including Servicefinder.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, computer, problem-solving, decision-making, and time-management skills.
Daily and Weekly Head Mechanic Expectations
• Daily: review out-of-service buses, new driver-reported concerns, open Servicefinder work orders, repair priorities, bus availability, parts needs, completed repairs, and garage/bay condition.
• Weekly: review open and overdue work orders, upcoming preventative maintenance and inspections, inventory needs, repeat repairs, excessive downtime, mechanic workload, tools/equipment needs, and overall garage organization.
Performance Expectations
The Head School Bus Mechanic is expected to maintain a safe, dependable, clean, and inspection-ready fleet while providing effective leadership and accountability within the Transportation Department garage. Performance includes timely repairs, accurate Servicefinder records, effective preventative maintenance, responsible inventory and purchasing, successful inspections, reduced avoidable downtime, a clean and organized garage, proper tow-truck readiness, and prompt communication with Transportation administration.
SAFETY • ACCOUNTABILITY • RELIABILITY • TEAMWORK