Position: Lead Mechanic

Location: Transportation

Reports to: Director of Transportation

Work Year: 52 weeks 

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary Range: Contract Scale Plus Hourly Differential

Position Summary

The lead mechanic provides day-to-day leadership of the school bus maintenance garage and district mechanics. This position ensures that school buses are properly maintained to minimize downtime and maximize the value of the district’s investment. The lead mechanic helps to ensure a safe and efficient transportation system for Caledonia Community Schools. The lead mechanic is directly responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all district vehicles. 

Essential Functions

• Lead and coordinate maintenance of the school bus fleet, district-owned vehicles, and machinery.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and the ability to repair components on school buses, school vehicles, and equipment. In addition, the ability to operate shop equipment, bus video surveillance systems, powered machinery, and 2-way radios.
• Implementation of a cost-effective system for ordering parts, fuel, shop equipment, supplies, etc.
• Develop and implement a system for recording vehicle maintenance history and operating costs along with processing electronic purchase orders.
• Makes recommendations for school bus purchases, spare parts, and necessary repairs of vehicles.
• Works in conjunction with the Director of Transportation to help develop and implement a comprehensive plan to prepare district vehicles for proper vehicle inspections.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to mechanics on difficult and complex repairs while operating as a working mechanic. 
• Train/inform district staff on the correct usage, care, and safety procedures of transportation equipment. Supervises and coordinates vehicle servicing activities of other shop personnel.
• Must maintain effective and accurate preparation and filing of all vehicle records, including work orders, inventory, and any other forms utilized for the district and maintained for vehicles and equipment.
• Must be able and willing to work overtime responding to emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Transportation or Executive Director of Operations. 

Employment Qualifications

• Must meet the Michigan School Bus Driver Certification and pass an annual Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination.
• Must pass DOT drug and alcohol screenings.
• Minimum of five years experience in motor vehicle maintenance operation or an acceptable alternative.
• A valid CDL License with passenger and school bus endorsements. 
• Knowledge of purchasing, safety, and inventory control.
• High school or vocational school graduate supplemented by gas and diesel mechanical experience.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and others. 
• Perform assigned duties with minimal supervision.
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors include but are not limited to: Physically able to lift 20-100 pounds; walking, standing, and/or climbing; lifting and carrying; stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting; able to open and close a bus hood, lift a bus hood; work around moving objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. Must be able to exert up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. 

Work Environment:

The employee may be exposed to a variety of conditions including: hot, wet, or humid environments. Must be able to work near moving parts, and in confined spaces. There may be exposure to a variety of chemicals and fumes. Protective equipment is required. The employee will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions during snow removal season. The employee may be exposed to bodily fluids and blood-borne pathogens.

Noise Level:

This position requires working in an environment with a noise level that ranges from moderate to loud. Employees may be exposed to loud and continuous noise, including machinery, equipment, or other sources. Hearing protection may be provided or required.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities