Organization Description

Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is a social service and community development organization whose mission is to empower the community to embrace the strengths of our cultures while achieving our potential. HAP accomplishes its mission by:

• Improving the lives of individuals and families in our diverse communities by providing culturally sensitive social services.
• Strengthening neighborhoods by providing housing, community, and economic development opportunities.
• Promoting the rich heritage of our ethnic communities.

HAP’s vision is to reach out to the world with profound social, economic, and educational transformation.

Primary Function of the Position

HAP Transportation is seeking a dynamic, high-performance team member who will be successful in a challenging, fast-paced work culture. The candidate must demonstrate a strong work ethic, as well as a proven ability to model our core values of integrity, accountability, and excellence in previous work experiences. The best candidate for this position is someone who can align him/herself to our HAP Culture, which includes creating high impact, ability to be a high performer/achiever, demonstrating innovative thinking in daily work, driving to accomplish results/outcomes, and is data savvy. The School Bus Mechanic is responsible for providing mechanic services with specific responsibility for identifying repair and/or replacement needs; performing repairs and preventive maintenance; ensuring completion of projects in accordance with trade standards; supervising the shop in the absence of the shop manager; providing information on the proper uses of equipment; assisting other mechanics; and ensuring that tools and materials are available at the job site.

Position Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice and assistance to mechanics on difficult and complex repairs while operating as a working mechanic.
• Provides input and support in the implementation and evaluation of a preventative maintenance program for fleet vehicles.
• Supervise and help coordinate maintenance and diagnostics of vehicle fleet and machinery.
• Make recommendations for spare parts and necessary repairs to vehicles.
• Responsible for assisting in keeping an inventory of parts to be kept in stock.
• Follow and maintain safety standards for the transportation department.
• Adhere to a cost-effective system for ordering parts, fuel, shop equipment, supplies, etc.
• Follow and maintain a system for recording vehicle maintenance and repair history and operating costs.
• Work in conjunction with the Shop Manager to help develop and implement a comprehensive plan to prepare vehicles for appropriate vehicle inspections.
• Keeps tools and machinery safe and organized.
• Performs analysis and identifies the cause of malfunctioning equipment.
• Train/inform staff on the correct usage, care, and safety procedures of transportation equipment.
• Teach and mentor mechanics, modeling good business practices and work ethics.
• Able to react to change and handle other essential tasks as assigned.
• Evaluate shop personnel in conjunction with the Shop Manager and Director of Transportation.
• Operate vehicles in a safe manner and according to all rules and laws.
• Maintain all vehicles to comply with all local, state and federal inspections by conducting safety inspections and testing engine and combustion control standards.
• Fill and inspect oil, steering fluid, transmission fluid, and any other fluid needed for the operation of the vehicles.
• Participate in various activities meetings and trainings as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to work and communicate cooperatively and professionally in a team environment.
• Knowledge of auto/vehicle/bus repair operations.
• Perform responsible and minor mechanical repair work involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative.
• Use materials and equipment necessary in the repair and maintenance of buses and other motorized vehicles.
• Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include current and emerging industry issues, methods of maintaining vehicles, methods of storage and removal of hazardous materials, and safety practices and procedures.
• Ability to set priorities and adapt to changing conditions.
• Able to effectively analyze situations to define issues, draw conclusions, and determine appropriate course of action.
• Able to follow and give verbal and written instructions and directions.
• Effective documentation and recordkeeping skills.
• Shop mathematics applicable to the mechanical trade.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the areas of maintenance and mechanical repair work.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Ability to pay close attention to details.
• Demonstration of ability to complete tasks within tight deadlines.
• Ability to understand local, state and federal vehicle maintenance regulations.
• Ability to work independently or as a team with minimal supervision.
• Strong professional work ethic and ability to be creative and curious, passionate and enthusiastic, and demonstrate integrity, empathy, and a sense of humor.

Education and Experience 

• High school or vocational school graduate supplemented by gas and diesel mechanical experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience in motor vehicle maintenance, operation, and repairs.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education, provided formal schooling has been sufficient to enable the applicant to evaluate difficult mechanical repairs.
• Experience in the repair and preventative maintenance of heavy equipment and experience in the repair and preventative maintenance of diesel and gas school buses and other motor vehicles preferred.
• Able to successfully pass a health physical, criminal background check, BCA fingerprint check, and drug test.
• Current CDL or ability to obtain CDL within one year of hire.
• Experience in purchasing, safety, and inventory control.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff and others.
• Perform assigned duties with minimal supervision.

Essential Functions

The following position requirements are representative of those that will be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment

• Indoor/outdoor environment subject to changing temperatures exceeding 90 degrees at times.
• Subject to regular exposure to fumes, dust and odor, vehicle exhaust, dirt, oil, grease, and noise from equipment operation.
• Workaround and with machinery and motorized equipment.
• Work in a shop.
• Changing priorities and interruptions.

Physical Demands

• Sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling object(s) weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Manipulate hands and fingers to operate a variety of specialized tools and equipment.
• Reach overhead, the shoulder, and horizontally to reach and place materials and equipment in certain areas.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, turning and twisting.
• Occasional carrying, pushing, or pulling boxes and engines.
• Crawling under vehicles.
• Clarity of vision at varying distances to observe diagnostic instruments, manuals, and other printed information.
• Verbal, auditory, and written capabilities to effectively communicate in an articulate manner.
• Perform physically demanding work.
• May require driving a vehicle to conduct work.

Hazards

• Working with tools and powered machinery.

Benefits

 All full-time (30+ hours per week) Hmong American Partnership (HAP) employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, STD, LTD, Accident & Critical Illness, 16 Days of Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 Holidays, 401K, and more!
• Career Development: Training & Professional Development Opportunities!

HAP is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Our organization will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, membership, or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance.

Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation should contact us at hr@hmong.org.