What does a bus mechanic do?
Bus mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real bus mechanic resumes:
- Accomplish several other kenworth basic training modules.Skills UsedProblem solving, mechanical aptitude, and efficient workmanship.
- Perform all electrical and HVAC repairs.
- Obtain ASE for school bus body and specialty equipment.
- Raise buses, and heavy parts or equipment using hydraulic jacks and hoists.
- Perform p.m. services, brake jobs, a/c work, electrical and computer diagnostics.
- Repair of buses with hydraulics and maintain facilities lifts, HVAC, air systems and grounds.
- Full service fleet mechanic -pm service -engine overhaul -trans and axle overhaul -brakes and driveline overhaul -electrical diagnosis and repair
- Service and repair of transit bus trouble shooting and repair of Cummings and Detroit engine a/c steering and suspension electrical
- Service and maintain school buses from minivans to full size school buses, all automatics with Mercedes and Cummins engines.
- Document repairs, modifications and inspections in accordance with FAA requirements on both paper and in an automate maintenance information database.
- Conduct vibration analysis on gearboxes.
Bus mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Bus Mechanics are proficient in CDL, Preventative Maintenance, and Diesel Engines. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Bus Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 28%
Obtained CDL Class B License through school district [ ] Supervisors Name: Henrey Hammond Supervisors [ ]
- Preventative Maintenance, 12%
Tested equipment, conducted preventative maintenance, diagnosed computer and electrical failure and repaired hydraulic systems.
- Diesel Engines, 6%
Performed major and minor engine repair on various diesel engines.
- ASE, 5%
Assisted ASE certified master automotive technician.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Used various hand tools such as screw drivers, pliers, and utility knife.
- DOT, 5%
Performed DOT vehicle safety inspections and Federal certifications.
"cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "diesel engines" are among the most common skills that bus mechanics use at work. You can find even more bus mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a bus mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "diesel technicians frequently discuss automotive problems and necessary repairs with their customers." Additionally, a bus mechanic resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "repaired and maintained bus fleet to owner, customer, and dot specifications"
Detail oriented. Many bus mechanic duties rely on detail oriented. "diesel technicians must be aware of small details when inspecting or repairing engines and components, because mechanical and electronic malfunctions are often due to misalignments and other easy-to-miss causes.," so a bus mechanic will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways bus mechanic responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "followed detailed instruction to perform different levels of preventative maintenance. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of bus mechanics is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday bus mechanic duties, as "mechanics need a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination for many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "diagnosed and repaired vehicle brake, electrical, steering and suspension, engine transmission, brakes, wheel chair lifts. "
Mechanical skills. bus mechanic responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "diesel technicians must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other." This resume example shows what bus mechanics do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "inspect and diagnose mechanical defects on buses, trucks, automobiles, backhoes, mowers, tractors, etc. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a bus mechanic to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what bus mechanics relies on this skill, since "diesel technicians must keep workspaces clean and organized in order to maintain safety and accountability for parts." How this skill relates to bus mechanic duties can be seen in an example from a bus mechanic resume snippet: "performed organizational maintenance services on wheeled vehicles, trailers, generators, and pumping units. "
Physical strength. While "physical strength" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to bus mechanic responsibilities. Much of what a bus mechanic does relies on this skill, seeing as "diesel technicians often lift heavy parts and tools, such as exhaust system components and pneumatic wrenches." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of bus mechanics: "provided physical and technical assistance for hvac technicians. "
The three companies that hire the most bus mechanics are:
- LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions11 bus mechanics jobs
- The Hertz Corporation5 bus mechanics jobs
- NJ Transit2 bus mechanics jobs
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Compare different bus mechanics
Bus mechanic vs. Mechanic's assistant
A mechanics assistant job involves assisting mechanics in operating, repairing, and refurbishing vehicles. Primarily, mechanics assistants work on the installation, repair, and replacement of an automobile's mechanical parts. They need to be knowledgeable of the processes and composition of automobiles. Also, they execute the opening and closing tasks in stores. The skillset for this position includes a strong work ethic, diagnostic skills, problem-solving, prior experience, customer service skills, and resourcefulness.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, bus mechanic responsibilities require skills like "cdl," "ase," "dot," and "safety devices." Meanwhile a typical mechanic's assistant has skills in areas such as "osha," "safety equipment," "maintenance services," and "service calls." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Mechanic's assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $53,930. On the other hand, bus mechanics are paid more in the transportation industry with an average salary of $51,729.mechanic's assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than bus mechanics. In fact, mechanic's assistants are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Bus mechanic vs. Wheel alignment mechanic
Shop Technicians are skilled workers assigned to a retail store. Their main activities depend on the nature of the business their company is in. Usually, Shop Technicians work with machines in the shop. They conduct repair and maintenance work for machines that have long been in the shop. They are also in charge of installing and building new machines as well. Shop Technicians are assigned to manage records of such machines or s other mechanical items in the store. This is part of the administrative activities they may do for the shop.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, bus mechanic responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "preventative maintenance," "ase," and "hand tools." Meanwhile, a wheel alignment mechanic has duties that require skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "preventive maintenance checks," "equipment systems," and "pls." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Wheel alignment mechanics earn similar levels of education than bus mechanics in general. They're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Bus mechanic vs. Shop technician
Diesel technicians specialize in repairing and handling the maintenance of vehicles powered by diesel. They are primarily responsible for inspecting cars, conducting tests, and identifying its problems to determine what course of action to take. Aside from repairing engines, diesel technicians may also fix other systems such as brakes, steering, and even lighting. It is essential to discuss the extent of repairs to clients and make them understand the costs involved. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an accurate record of data at all times.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, bus mechanics are more likely to have skills like "cdl," "ase," "safety devices," and "driveline." But a shop technician is more likely to have skills like "diagnosis," "cranes," "customer service," and "equipment maintenance."
Shop technicians make a very good living in the energy industry with an average annual salary of $45,857. On the other hand, bus mechanics are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $51,729.When it comes to education, shop technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to bus mechanics. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Bus mechanic vs. Diesel technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between bus mechanics and diesel technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bus mechanic might have more use for skills like "safety devices," "bus maintenance," "bus fleet," and "equipment repair." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of diesel technicians require skills like "customer service," "diagnosis," "defective equipment," and "pto. "
In general, diesel technicians earn the most working in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $49,875. The highest-paying industry for a bus mechanic is the transportation industry.diesel technicians reach similar levels of education compared to bus mechanics, in general. The difference is that they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of bus mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
