Mechanic & Maintenance Associate

Job Details

Description

Title: Mechanic & Maintenance Associate

Reports to: Director of Security

Schedule/travel: Full-time, calendar year position. Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm (includes ½ hour unpaid lunch period). Additional hours may be required, largely driven by school events, when all maintenance employees assist with event management.

FLSA: Non-exempt

Classification: Staff

Position Summary

Mechanic & Maintenance Associate will be responsible for diagnosing and fixing mechanical issues, conducting routine maintenance, and supporting the overall efficiency of our school’s vehicle fleet, school-owned equipment, and grounds.

Vehicle Maintenance

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections, to ensure safe and efficient operation of the school’s fleet and equipment.
• Serve as the mechanic addressing all repairs to the school's fleet of vehicles, including 14 passenger buses, and the school's fleet of power boats used in the rowing program.
• Serve as the mechanic addressing all repairs to equipment used to maintain and operate the campus. Repairs may include lawn mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, engines/motors, etc.
• Conduct thorough overall inspections of vehicles and equipment to identify and address potential issues before they escalate.
• Most work will be done in the school's garage, which has the appropriate space and equipment (i.e., lift) to work on vehicles, buses, equipment, etc. Some work may need to be done in the field, such as if a vehicle breaks down on campus or near campus, which will require traveling to the vehicle to assess the repair.
  
  

Diagnostic And Repairs

• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues in various types of school vehicles, including buses, vans, and other school-owned equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair engine, transmission, and other major vehicle components.
• Perform repairs by using the school's welding equipment.
• As instructed by the Director of Facilities, perform various repairs or other actions to care for campus facilities, grounds, and equipment.
• May need to travel to the school’s equestrian facility (about 8 miles from campus) to perform repairs.
  
  

Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance and repair activities, including parts used, services performed, and associated costs.
• Utilize the school’s fleet management system to log and track vehicle maintenance history.
• Keep an inventory of school-owned equipment.
  
  

Safety Compliance

• Ensure all school vehicles and equipment meet or exceed safety standards and regulations.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and address any issues promptly to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
• Work with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure our student transportation vehicles and all vehicles are in compliance and can be used for school purposes.
  
  

Collaboration

• Coordinate with other school staff, including the Director of Facilities, to schedule and prioritize vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and other employees to provide updates on the status of repairs, maintenance activities, and answers and suggestions to questions.
• Work with various departments as necessary to identify an appropriate vehicle for purchase, including an inspection of the vehicle to be purchased.
• As part of the maintenance team, assist with planning and executing the setup and/or teardown of large events. This work may include physical labor associated with delivering and removing equipment from locations, assisting with parking (i.e., directing cars to designated parking areas), or shuttling guests around campus using a golf cart or a Kent School vehicle.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Perform other responsibilities designated by the Director of Security and/or Director of Facilities to contribute to the overall efficiency of school vehicles, property, and grounds (e.g., fire pump).
• Train with the school's Hockey Rink Operator to help maintain the hockey rink during hockey season. This work will require the operation and maintenance of a Zamboni and the monitoring of certain equipment in order to maintain the ice.
• Obtain appropriate State of CT license to drive students in a student transportation vehicle owned by Kent School. When assigned, drive student(s) to off-campus locations.
  
  

Qualifications

• Possess ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and ability to work discreetly with sensitive information.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, working with various audiences (faculty, staff, DMV Inspectors).
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to understand and carry out written and verbal instructions with the capability to prioritize, multitask, and manage time effectively.
• Work independently and make sound decisions with flexibility/adaptability in a calm demeanor while working well under pressure.
• Experienced fleet mechanic or in a similar automotive maintenance role with strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of various vehicle systems, including engines, transmissions, brakes, and electrical systems.
• Familiarity with diesel engines and school bus or activity vehicle maintenance.
• Ability to operate hand and power tools, electrical diagnostic tools, hydraulic tools, among many others, to perform all necessary tasks.
• Willingness to learn new skills and proper safety procedures.
• Basic computer skills for record-keeping and use of fleet management software.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

• Must be able to work in an office, garage, and outdoor environment.
• Ability to walk, bend, stand, crouch or climb for extended periods of time, operate assigned equipment and vehicles, and perform manual labor for extended periods.
• Requires substantial movement of wrists, hands, and fingers with keyboard use.
• Ability to tolerate fluctuations in temperature while performing essential job functions.
• Be exposed to noise, dust, cleaning solvents, battery acids, and exhaust fumes.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 40lbs. without assistance.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of post-offer, pre-employment criminal background checks and drug test.
• Maintain punctual and regular attendance.
• Work is performed on a smoke-free campus.
  
  

Additional Information

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exclusive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

Kent School is committed to making equal employment opportunities available to all qualified persons. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all personnel without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, ancestry, citizen status, veteran status, physical or mental handicaps, sexual orientation, or any other factors protected by law. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.