Job Description

Now Hiring: Diesel Technician – East Hartford, CT (CREC Schools)

Location: East Hartford, CT (Serving CREC Schools)
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pay:$31.28 per hour (Union Position)

If you take pride in keeping your community moving, this is your opportunity to make a real difference. Our team keeps students safe and on time every day—because behind every school bus is a skilled technician ensuring reliability, safety, and peace of mind for local families.

While First Student is North America’s leading school transportation provider—serving more than 1,250 school districts and completing over 5.4 million student journeys every day—our East Hartford operation offers a close-knit, team-focused environment where your contributions truly make an impact.

Why Join First Student?

• Union hourly wage of $31.28 per hour (per collective bargaining agreement)
• Monday–Friday schedule (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM) with consistent, year-round work
• Bonus pay increase for each ASE School Bus Series certification earned and maintained (up to $2.00/houradditional)
• Company-paid ASE testing and training materials
• Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401(k) with company match
• Career Advancement Opportunities: Advance into operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles across more than 540 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Tool reimbursement and safety shoe reimbursement
• Annual allowance for prescription safety glasses
• Employee discounts through PerkSpot on cell phone plans, vehicles, travel, entertainment, and more
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling and support services

About the Diesel Technician Position

As a Diesel Technician with First Student, you’ll play a critical role in maintaining and repairing our fleet of school buses, helping ensure they operate safely and reliably every day.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform preventative maintenance (PMs), safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections
• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems
• Perform brake repairs and inspections
• Repair suspensions, steering components, drivetrains, transmission clutches, and engine-related systems
• Complete work orders accurately and efficiently
• Ensure all vehicles meet company and DOT safety standards
• Assist with mobile emergency road service repairs when necessary
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of diesel or automotive maintenance and repair experience, or equivalent technical school education and related experience
• Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting abilities
• Valid driver’s license required
• CDL Class B (or ability to obtain within 60 days of hire) — Company-paid training provided
• Must possess a mechanic’s tool set necessary to perform assigned duties
• Willingness to participate in the ASE Certification Program (company-paid training, testing, and certification bonuses)
• Basic computer skills
• Strong commitment to safety and quality workmanship

Important: This is a DOT safety-sensitive position and is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing. Pursuant to DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40, the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, is prohibited regardless of state law.

Build Your Career with First Student

Whether you’re an experienced diesel technician or looking to continue growing your maintenance career, First Student offers the stability, training, support, and advancement opportunities to help you succeed.

Join a team that values safety, teamwork, continuous learning, and delivering dependable transportation to the students and communities we proudly serve.

Apply today and help keep the wheels turning at First Student!

We aspire to have a culture where all people are First. We strive to attract and retain a diverse workforce. 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 Student is committed to providing a drug-free workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive culture that supports future growth for all.

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