Service Employee / Auxiliary Equipment Specialist

Location: Various locations in the NY Metro region
Department: Maintenance

$30.00/hr based on union set wages

Help Keep Our Fleet Connected, Safe, and Road-Ready

First Student is looking for a hands-on Service Employee / Auxiliary Equipment Specialist to support the installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic equipment across our fleet. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working independently, solving technical problems, and keeping vehicles operating safely and efficiently.

In this position, you will work closely with the Maintenance team to service equipment such as two-way radios, GPS systems, AM/FM systems, Child Check systems, video equipment, and other vehicle-based electronic devices used in First Student and customer-owned vehicles.

What You’ll Do

As an Auxiliary Equipment Specialist, you will:

• Install, inspect, diagnose, and repair vehicle electrical and auxiliary equipment
• Maintain two-way radios, GPS units, video systems, Child Check equipment, and related devices
• Complete work in a clean, professional, and timely manner
• Accurately document maintenance work, labor, parts, and supplies used
• Maintain inventory and supplies in a mobile service unit
• Perform light interior and exterior maintenance on buses and trucks as needed
• Clean vehicle interiors and exteriors when required to help maintain fleet standards
• Identify and report potentially unsafe equipment conditions
• Drive buses or service vehicles for non-revenue needs, including testing, shuttling, and parts pickup/delivery
• Follow all First Student safety standards, policies, and PPE requirements
• Support additional maintenance needs as directed by management

What We’re Looking For

The right candidate is dependable, safety-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced fleet environment. You should be able to troubleshoot problems, use electrical tools confidently, and communicate well with supervisors, technicians, and operations teams.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Class B CDL with passenger endorsement required, or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire
• Participation in ASE testing program for electrical systems
• Ability to complete all required First Student training modules and stay current with training requirements
• Basic computer, smartphone, and tablet proficiency
• Regular, predictable attendance

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of fleet maintenance, especially auxiliary or electronic vehicle equipment
• Experience using hand tools and specialized electrical tools, including voltage testers and DVOMs
• Ability to follow state motor vehicle inspection and repair standards
• Strong attention to safety and detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Willingness to learn new tasks and apply new skills quickly
• Ability to maintain a clean and organized work environment

Working Conditions

This is a hands-on, field-based role that requires flexibility and physical stamina.

• Work outdoors in varied seasonal weather conditions
• Work outside more than 75% of the time
• Work in a maintenance shop environment less than 25% of the time
• Work in dusty conditions as needed, with required PPE provided
• Perform physical tasks such as kneeling, bending, climbing ladders, and working around vehicles
• Lift a minimum of 50 pounds regularly
• Perform painting or touch-up work as needed, including spray painting, roller painting, or brush painting

Safety Matters

At First Student, safety is part of everything we do. This role requires the use of proper PPE, including safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves when needed, and appropriate work attire.

Ready to Join Us?

If you enjoy hands-on technical work, take pride in keeping vehicles safe and reliable, and want to be part of a team that supports student transportation every day, we encourage you to apply.

Apply today and help keep our fleet moving safely.

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.