Chicago Transit Authority logo

Bus Mechanic

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago, ILFull-time$37.64–47.05/hrPosted 5mo agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

At a glance

Compensation
$37.64–47.05/hr
Location
Chicago, IL
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Drug And Alcohol TestingIllinois Class B Commercial Driver's LicenseForklift Certification

Job overview

Chicago Transit Authority is hiring a Bus Mechanic. The Bus Mechanic works under direct supervision to perform comprehensive maintenance and repair on CTA buses, handling troubleshooting, inspections, and documentation while operating authority vehicles in shop and on public right‑of‑way.

Key focus areas include Perform troubleshooting, diagnosis, repair, and maintenance on various bus systems and components, Inspect, align, replace, adjust, and repair bus components and systems, and Use instruments, gauges, and computers to test and determine causes of malfunctions.

Successful candidates bring High School Diploma Or GED Equivalent, Two Years Automotive Truck Or Bus Repair Experience, and State Of Illinois Class B Commercial Driver's License. Important skills include Troubleshooting, Diagnosis, Repair, Maintenance, Inspection, and Alignment. Preferred (not required): Propulsion Systems and Reading Schematics And Blueprints.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

TroubleshootingDiagnosisRepairMaintenanceInspectionAlignmentAdjustmentMMISWritten ReportsOperating BusesOperating Authority VehiclesTruck and Bus Automatic Transmissions OperationsRear Axle Configurations OperationsShop TheoryOperation Methods and ProceduresHand ToolsPower ToolsMechanic ToolsDiesel Engine OperationsGasoline Engine OperationsAlternative Fuel Engine OperationsSafety IssuesEnvironmental IssuesHazardous IssuesVehicle Systems and ComponentsElectrical/Electronic SystemsMechanical SystemsAir Conditioning SystemsOral CommunicationsWritten CommunicationsBasic MathBasic Computer SkillsOperating Revenue and Non-Revenue VehiclesReading DiagramsInterpreting DiagramsUnderstanding DiagramsReading SchematicsInterpreting SchematicsUnderstanding SchematicsReading BlueprintsInterpreting BlueprintsUnderstanding BlueprintsReading SketchesInterpreting SketchesUnderstanding SketchesReading BulletinsInterpreting BulletinsUnderstanding BulletinsReading ProceduresInterpreting ProceduresAdministrative FunctionsVehicle ServicingVehicle CleanlinessTruck Automatic TransmissionsBus Automatic TransmissionsRear Axle ConfigurationsBus PropulsionTruck PropulsionSteering SystemsS Cam Air Brake SystemsDiesel EnginesGasoline EnginesAlternative Fuel EnginesElectrical SystemsElectronic SystemsOral CommunicationCommunicationWorking Knowledge of Truck and Bus Automatic TransmissionsWorking Knowledge of Rear Axle ConfigurationsWorking Knowledge of Shop TheoryWorking Knowledge of Steering SystemsWorking Knowledge of S Cam Air Brake SystemsWorking Knowledge of Correct Use of Hand and Power ToolsWorking Knowledge of Operations of Diesel, Gasoline, and Alternative Fuel EnginesWorking Knowledge of Safety, Environmental, and Hazardous IssuesBasic Knowledge of Principles, Theories, Functions and Inter-Relationships of Vehicle Systems and ComponentsGood Oral CommunicationsGood Written CommunicationsBasic Math SkillsAbility to Operate Authority Revenue and Non-Revenue VehiclesAbility to Read, Interpret, and Understand DiagramsAbility to Use Pertinent Test EquipmentAbility to Use ComputersAbility to Use GaugesAbility to Use Hand Held, Mechanical and Electronic Testing or Diagnostic EquipmentAutomatic TransmissionsAir Brake SystemsPropulsion SystemsDiagnostic EquipmentComputersReading Schematics and BlueprintsOral and Written CommunicationHand and Power ToolsGaugesOperate Authority VehiclesDiesel Engine KnowledgeGasoline Engine KnowledgeAlternative Fuel Engine KnowledgeAutomatic Transmission KnowledgeRear Axle Configuration KnowledgeAir Brake System KnowledgePropulsion and Steering System KnowledgeSafety and Environmental Hazard Knowledge

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GEDTwo Years Automotive Truck or Bus Repair ExperienceDrug and Alcohol TestingIllinois Class B Commercial Driver's LicenseAcceptable Driving RecordMechanics Practical Test PassForklift CertificationEPA 608 CertificationASE Transit Bus or Medium Heavy Truck CertificationsPhysical Ability to Lift 100 PoundsAbility to Meet Physical RequirementsWillingness to Accept Job Responsibility

Full job description

Bus Mechanic - ( 25000097 )

Description

SALARY

Per the current CBA, below is the Bus Mechanic pay progression:

  • 1-12 Months - $37.64

  • 12-24 Months - $42.35

  • 25 Months - $47.05

POSITION SUMMARY

Under direct supervision, performs comprehensive maintenance and repair work on Authority buses.

Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Performs troubleshooting, diagnosis, repair, and maintenance work on various bus systems and components.

  • Inspects, aligns, replaces, adjusts, and repairs various bus components and systems.

  • Uses instruments and gauges, including computers, to test and determine causative factors of component or system malfunctions or failures.

  • Performs various tasks in regards to the preventative maintenance of transit bus vehicles, systems, and components.

  • Receives, records, and verifies work repair data, as required, into the MMIS.

  • Prepares written reports, as required, and performs administrative functions relative to vehicle repair documentation.

  • May perform vehicle servicing/cleanliness functions on revenue and non-revenue vehicles as required.

  • Operates buses and other Authority vehicles in and around bus shop/garage areas and along public right-of-way.

  • Performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to this position are the following jobs:

Job Title

  • None

CHALLENGES

  • EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • Must possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

  • Must possess a minimum of two (2) years of verifiable work experience in automotive, truck, or bus repair and maintenance, or applicable military experience, or a combination of education and experience relating to this position. Possession of a certificate/diploma in medium/heavy duty or diesel engine vehicle repair from an accredited trade/vocational school or college will count as verifiable experience.

  • Required to submit to and pass drug and alcohol testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration.

  • Required to have an acceptable driving record and a valid State of Illinois Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or a valid State of Illinois CDL permit with Knowledge and Air Brakes endorsements.

  • Must pass a mechanics practical test that includes both a physical and a written performance test prior to hire.

  • Must obtain forklift certification, as required by OSHA, through the CTA Bus Maintenance Training Department.

  • EPA 608 Certification in refrigerant handling and recycling is a plus.

  • ASE Transit Bus or Medium/Heavy Truck Certifications is a plus.

  • Must be willing to accept the job related responsibility and accountability that this position requires.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must meet and maintain physical requirements in order to safely perform all job duties and tasks.

  • Must have the strength to stand for extended periods of time when inspecting buses and making repairs and adjustments.

  • Must be able to walk to various areas of the bay to retrieve parts and spot check buses.

  • Must be able to lift and carry parts, equipment, and materials weighing up to 100 pounds including: fire extinguishers, tire assemblies, barrels of oil, fuel tank drain pans, and various bus parts and components.

  • Must be able to climb approved ladders and scaffolds and maintain balance when working atop bus roofs.

  • Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl when repairing bus floors, walls, etc., and when working underneath buses and in hard to reach spaces.

  • Must be able to reach for tools and parts while working on buses.

  • Requires manual dexterity for making repairs and adjustments on equipment.

  • Requires visual acumen and the ability to see in and distinguish colors.

  • Must be able to hear verbal instructions, announcements, alarms, and horns.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Working knowledge of the operations of truck and bus automatic transmissions and various types of rear axle configurations.

  • Working knowledgeable of shop theory, operation, and methods and procedures used in the repair and analysis of bus and truck propulsion, steering, and “s” cam air brake systems.

  • Working knowledgeable of the correct use of hand and power tools including mechanic tools used in the repair of diesel, gasoline, and alternative fuel engines, transmissions, air conditioning systems, steering systems, air brake systems, and various other vehicle components.

  • Working knowledge of the operations of diesel, gasoline, and alternative fuel engines.

  • Working knowledge of the safety, environmental, and hazardous issues and concerns involved in working in bus garage/shop areas.

  • Basic knowledge of the principles, theories, functions and inter-relationships of the various vehicle systems and components i.e. electrical/electronic, mechanical, and air conditioning.

  • Good oral and written communications skills.

  • Basic math skills related to the duties of the position.

  • Basic computer skills.

  • Ability to operate Authority revenue and non-revenue vehicles in and around bus garage/shop areas and on and along public right-of-way.

  • Ability to read, interpret, and understand diagrams, schematics, blueprints, sketches, bulletins, and procedures.

  • Ability to use pertinent test equipment including computers, gauges, and various types of hand held, mechanical and electronic testing or diagnostic equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Subject to the results of Bus Maintenance Garage and System Picks as scheduled.

  • Exposed to outside weather conditions including: extreme hot and cold, humidity and dampness, and noise and vibration.

  • Exposed to various mechanical, atmospheric, and chemical hazards.

EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED

  • Various lifting and hoisting equipment used in raising and lowering vehicles.

  • Computers.

Additional Details: Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.

Rate to be determined by applicant's entered service date and service date in union jurisdiction of this classification.

CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected] prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.

TO BE CONSIDERED APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN THEIR ENTIRETY INCLUDING:

  • UPLOADED RESUME / WORK HISTORY

  • QUALIFICATIONS

  • JOB ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

INFORMATION PROVIDED MUST BE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL.

Failure to respond to correspondences during the hiring process in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.

CTA Benefits

https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/\

Primary Location : USA-Illinois-Chicago

Job : Bus Maintenance

Job Posting : Mar 13, 2026, 1:09:57 PM

Position Type: : Full-time Permanent (FTP)

Department: : Bus Maintenance

Req ID: 25000097

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.