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Diesel Technician

First Student · Mount Prospect, IL · $25.00–$30.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Jul 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

Which shift fits you better, 5am to 1:30pm or 9am to 5:30pm, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought about the schedule and will be reliable on it.

Tell me about a time you found a problem during a routine inspection that could have caused a breakdown.

What they are checking: Whether they inspect carefully and catch issues before they become failures.

Which ASE certifications do you have, and which do you want to earn next?

What they are checking: Whether they are working to grow their skills through the ASE School Bus series.

Tell me about a time you had to learn a new system or engine you'd never worked on.

What they are checking: Whether they can learn new equipment quickly as fleets change.

What would you do

A coworker skips steps on inspections to get through more buses. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up about safety shortcuts that could put kids at risk.

About the work

A bus comes in with a check engine light and low power. How do you start diagnosing it?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot in a logical order instead of guessing and replacing parts.

What's included in a thorough preventive maintenance inspection on a school bus?

What they are checking: Whether they know PM inspections well, since they keep buses safe and on the road.

How do you inspect and adjust air brakes, and what tells you something is out of spec?

What they are checking: Whether they understand air brake safety, which is critical on school buses.

How do you handle electrical problems like a lighting or stop arm failure?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot electrical systems, including the safety equipment unique to school buses.

How do you keep track of parts you used and repairs you made?

What they are checking: Whether they keep accurate records that support safety audits and cost control.

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 Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving Mount Prospect, IL! Hours/Schedule: Monday–Friday, Full-time day shift 5:00am-1:30pm OR 9:00am-5:30pm 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 bus is a skilled mechanic who ensures reliability, safety, and peace of mind for families across our community. While First Student is North America’s leading school transportation provider—serving more than 1,250 districts and 5.4 million student journeys daily—our focus here is local. You’ll join a close-knit team that values collaboration, safety, and community connection. Why Join First as a Diesel Mechanic? • Pay Details: Dependent on experience and qualifications. • Hourly Rate: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour (NOT flat rate). • Bonus rate increase available for each ASE School Bus Series test passed and maintained (up to $2/hour more). • Monday–Friday day shift schedule with consistent, year-round work. • Company-paid ASE testing and training materials. • Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing. • Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match. • Career Advancement Opportunities : Advance into operational, maintenance, management, and leadership roles in over 540 locations across the U.S. & Canada! • Paid holidays and vacation time. • Annual allowances for boots and prescription safety glasses. • Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, and more through the PerkSpot program. • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : Counseling and support services for personal and work-related issues. About the Diesel Technician Position As a Diesel Technician with First Student, you will help maintain and repair school buses to ensure safety and reliability. Diesel Technician key responsibilities include: • Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for our passengers. • Diagnose and perform all phases of vehicle maintenance including the repair of brakes and brake inspections, engine tune-ups, suspensions, drive trains, transmission clutches and other repairs. • Perform preventive maintenance (PMs), safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections. • Complete work orders accurately. • Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed. Diesel Technician Qualifications • At least 1+ years of diesel or automotive maintenance and repair experience, or equivalent technical school education and experience. • Vehicle diagnostic and problem-solving skills. • Valid driver’s license required. • CDL Class B or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment – Company paid training provided. • Possession of a mechanic’s tool set to complete all assigned duties. • Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program (training, testing, and bonuses provided). • Strong computer skills. • Note: This position is 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. Take the wheel and drive your career forward with First Student! Make an impact in your community while enjoying day shift schedules, great pay, and unmatched support. 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 .

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