Shop Manager

Now Hiring: Shop Manager – New Britain, CT

Supporting: New Britain Consolidated School District Salary: $85,000–$95,000 annually, based on skills and experience Schedule: Monday–Friday | Nine-hour workday; start and end times vary based on operational needs Fleet: 240+ vehicles Team: Nine technicians

Lead the shop. Develop your team. Keep the fleet ready.

First Student is hiring a Shop Manager in New Britain, CT, to oversee maintenance operations supporting New Britain Consolidated School District.

You’ll lead a team of nine technicians maintaining a diverse fleet of more than 240 vehicles, including Thomas C2 school buses, GM and Ford 4500s, Dodge minivans, and Ford Transits.

This is a hands-on leadership position. You’ll set maintenance priorities, develop technicians, manage shop performance and expenses, and work closely with location leadership and dispatch to keep vehicles safe and available for service.

Why Join First Student?

• $85,000–$95,000 annual salary, based on skills and experience
• Full-time, Monday–Friday schedule
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Company-paid CDL training
• ASE certification program with training, testing, and bonus opportunities
• Access to earned wages before payday through Chime® MyPay at Work™*
• Salt® Rewards Program for employee savings and rewards
• Opportunities to grow within maintenance leadership and operations

What You’ll Do Lead and develop the maintenance team

• Direct daily work assignments and balance preventive maintenance, inspections, and repairs.
• Hire, train, coach, and evaluate shop employees.
• Handle performance concerns, discipline, employee complaints, and grievances.
• Manage compensation decisions within company policies and approval requirements.
• Ensure technicians have the training, equipment, and direction needed to work safely and effectively.
• Perform hands-on maintenance and assist with troubleshooting as needed.

Manage fleet readiness and shop performance

• Schedule and oversee maintenance for a fleet of 240+ vehicles.
• Communicate vehicle availability and repair priorities with dispatch and operations.
• Review repair orders for accuracy, completeness, and repair quality.
• Coordinate parts purchasing and outside repair services as needed.
• Identify and implement improvements that increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Oversee vehicle fueling and coordinate building and grounds services as needed.

Maintain safety, compliance, and financial accountability

• Ensure maintenance activities meet company policies and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Maintain safe working conditions throughout the shop.
• Keep the Location Manager and regional maintenance leadership informed of fleet condition, maintenance performance, and budget needs.
• Monitor expenses and review budget variances.
• Review, code, or approve accounts payable documents within assigned authority.
• Complete special projects and other assigned responsibilities.

What You’ll Need

• At least five years of hands-on mechanical supervisory experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training preferred.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to organize work, develop employees, and address performance concerns.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency and the ability to maintain accurate maintenance records.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to obtain a CDL while employed; company-paid training is provided.
• Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program.
• Experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment is preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position involves both shop leadership and hands-on maintenance work. Duties may require lifting 20–50 pounds, crouching, and working beneath vehicles while lying on a mechanic’s dolly. The maintenance shop environment includes exposure to dust, dirt, and grease.

Apply Today

Bring your mechanical and supervisory experience to First Student in New Britain. Lead a team of nine technicians and help keep the fleet serving local students safe, reliable, and ready for the road.

First Student is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. First Student is committed to providing a drug-free workplace. Language Requirement This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason: At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.