Jobs › First Student

Shop Manager

First Student · Normal, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · 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

Tell me about a time you hired someone for a shop. What did you look for?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a strong team and judge technical skill and reliability.

Tell me about how you've kept a fleet compliant with state inspections and DOT rules.

What they are checking: Whether they know compliance requirements and have systems to stay ahead of them.

Tell me about a time you dealt with an employee complaint or grievance.

What they are checking: Whether they handle conflicts fairly and professionally as a direct supervisor.

What would you do

One of your mechanics is often late and their work quality is slipping. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they address performance issues directly and fairly while following proper steps.

The location manager wants more buses available, but your team is stretched thin. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate honestly about capacity and offer realistic solutions.

How do you make sure your shop stays a safe place to work?

What they are checking: Whether they create and enforce shop safety practices that protect their team.

About the work

How would you schedule fleet maintenance so the Normal location always has enough buses for routes?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan PMs and repairs around route needs and spare bus counts.

How do you manage a maintenance budget, and what would you do if you were running over?

What they are checking: Whether they understand budget control, parts costs, and labor use in a fleet shop.

How do you review and approve repair orders and invoices?

What they are checking: Whether they check accuracy and costs carefully before approving spending.

A bus keeps coming back with the same problem. How do you get to the root cause?

What they are checking: Whether they look for root causes and repair quality issues instead of repeating quick fixes.

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 Shop Manager in Normal, IL ! The Shop Manager manages all location maintenance operations and provides shop staff oversight. Directly supervises shop staff. Provides maintenance operational visibility to the Location Manager. Assumes primary responsibility for managing efficient maintenance performance of the location. Ensures safe working conditions of fleet supporting the surrounding School District. We Offer: Annual Salary: $80-85,000 based on skills and experience Schedule : Monday through Friday, full time shift Full benefits including health, dental, vision, & 401(k) Paid holidays and PTO Major Responsibilities • Schedules and administers fleet maintenance, assists in troubleshooting problems with equipment. Communicates availability of vehicles for service with dispatch and other operations personnel. • In relation to subordinates, is responsible for hiring; firing; approving salary increases or decreases; training and employee development; planning and directing the work; disciplining; handling employee complaints or grievances; and handling performance reviews. • Works closely with the location manager and region maintenance management providing status of maintenance and budget requirements. May review financial and budget variances, review repair orders or code and approve account payable documents. • Ensures compliance on a day-to-day basis with State, Federal and Company requirements. Ensures a safe environment exists and that all maintenance and related activities are in conformance with company policies and regulatory requirements. • Reviews repair orders. May order fuel for vehicles, order parts, and subcontract repair work. • Initiates and implements projects that improve efficiency and/or reduces operating costs. • Ensures that maintenance technicians are trained on current operating procedures, are properly equipped, and motivated so that the maintenance program can be accomplished in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner. • Supervises bus fueling. May arrange services for building and ground keeping. • Completes special projects as assigned. Required to perform hands-on work activities. Minimum Education or Certifications Required • High school diploma or equivalent • Technical training preferred • Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program (training, testing, and bonuses provided) • Valid driver's license required; willingness to obtain CDL while employed - we provide training Minimum Experience or Skills Required • 5+ years of hands-on mechanical supervisory experience • May require lifting of 20 to 50 lbs • Good written and oral communication skills • Computer skills • Industry experience repairing and maintaining diesel engines and school bus equipment is preferred Physical Requirements and Working Conditions • Maintenance Shop • Must be able to work in a crouched position or on back lying on mechanic's dolly beneath motor vehicle equipment; subjected to dust, dirt, and grease conditions. Language Requirement This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English. 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 .

Apply at First Student