Jobs › First Student

Diesel Mechanic

First Student · Schaumburg, IL · Full time

Posted Dec 18, 2024 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at First Student

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

First Student pays more for each ASE School Bus test you pass. Which ones do you have or plan to take?

What they are checking: Whether they are committed to building certifications and growing their skills.

Tell me about a tough repair you figured out that others couldn't.

What they are checking: Whether they have real problem-solving skills and persistence with hard repairs.

The company pays for CDL Class B training. How do you feel about getting your CDL to road test buses?

What they are checking: Whether they are willing to get the license that lets them test drive and move buses.

What would you do

A bus is due out for a route in thirty minutes, and you find a safety defect. Dispatch is pressuring you. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they put student safety above schedule pressure and keep an unsafe bus off the road.

How do you keep yourself and others safe in the shop?

What they are checking: Whether they follow shop safety practices like lockout, jack stands, and proper PPE.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd diagnose a school bus that cranks but won't start on a cold morning.

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot diesel no-start problems systematically, including fuel, glow plugs, and electrical.

What do you check on an air brake system during a preventive maintenance inspection?

What they are checking: Whether they know air brake systems well, since brakes are the top safety item on a school bus.

Tell me about your experience with DPF and aftertreatment systems. What usually goes wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle modern emissions systems, which cause many diesel breakdowns.

How do you use diagnostic software and scan tools on diesel engines?

What they are checking: Whether they can use electronic diagnostics to find faults quickly and accurately.

How do you document your repairs so the next tech knows what was done?

What they are checking: Whether they keep clear records, which matter for safety audits and repeat problems.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at First Student from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by First Student.

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. First Student is hiring immediately for a Mechanic for our shop serving Schaumburg IL! Now Offering $1000 Sign on Bonus (Conditions Apply)! As a Technician at First Student, you will play an integral role in ensuring the safety of the children who count on us for a ride to and from school in those classic yellow buses. Why join First as a Mechanic? In addition to a health benefits package, 401k with company matching, paid vacations, paid holidays, and tremendous growth opportunities, we are also proud to offer our technicians: • $23.75 per hour or more based on experience and qualifications (NOT flat-rate) • $1000 Sign on Bonus (Expires 12/31/2024) • ASE incentive of $0.50/hour for each relevant ASE obtained (we pay for the training materials and exams!) • Monday-Friday full-time shift • Annual allowances for boots and prescription safety glasses • State-of-the-art training programs • Discounts on cell phone plans, cars, and more through the Perk Spot program! About First Student’s Mechanic Position At First Student, our technicians perform maintenance to ensure our fleet of newer vehicles is safe for road travel. They also use their diagnostic skills to troubleshoot issues needing repair work. As a technician at First Student, your day will include the tasks mentioned above and the following: • Performing maintenance on brakes, suspensions, drivetrains, & transmissions • Completing work orders • Assisting with mobile emergency services Mechanics and technicians are subject to DOT drug testing as a safety-sensitive employee. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason. You might be a fit for our Mechanic role if: • You want to work in a position that meaningfully impacts your community • You have 1 year of experience working with automotive, diesel, electric, or CNG vehicles • You have a valid driver’s license and a willingness to obtain a CDL (don’t worry, we will train you for this!) • You have a mechanic’s tool set • You want to grow, learn, and develop your skillset through ASE testing For our Mechanic roles, First Student encourages applications from candidates who: • Do not have a college degree • Have military experience • Are returning to the workforce • Are looking for hourly (not flat-rate) jobs Get your career on the road with First Student! 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 .

Apply at First Student

More diesel mechanic roles