Diesel Mechanic Jobs at First Student with Visa Sponsorship
Diesel Mechanic jobs at First Student keep school bus fleets running safely across hundreds of U.S. locations. First Student has pursued employment-based sponsorship for qualified mechanics, making it a legitimate target for skilled tradespeople building a long-term immigration path through hands-on transportation work.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving Unit 5 in Normal, Ill!
Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full-time day shift 8:30am-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 in Normal 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 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.
INTRODUCTION
First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving Unit 5 in Normal, Ill!
Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full-time day shift 8:30am-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 in Normal 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 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.
See all Diesel Mechanic Jobs at First Student
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Diesel Mechanic Jobs at First Student.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Diesel Mechanic Jobs at First Student
Obtain ASE Certifications Before Applying
ASE certification in diesel engines and brakes signals job-ready competence to First Student hiring managers. Mechanics with recognized credentials clear the skills-verification stage faster and give the employer a stronger foundation for the PERM labor certification process.
Target Locations With Active Openings
First Student operates service centers nationwide, and hiring urgency varies by region. Focus your search on locations posting Diesel Mechanic openings directly, since active job postings reflect where the company is most likely to move quickly on sponsorship.
Browse Sponsored Roles Using Migrate Mate
Filter Diesel Mechanic openings at First Student by visa sponsorship history using Migrate Mate. Targeting roles where sponsorship has already been pursued for this job function saves time and connects you to opportunities with a realistic immigration path attached.
Understand the EB-3 Skilled Worker Timeline
EB-3 sponsorship for trade roles like Diesel Mechanic runs through PERM labor certification at the DOL before a petition reaches USCIS. The full process from job offer to Green Card can span several years, so align your current visa status and authorized stay accordingly.
Ask Recruiters About Sponsorship Policy Early
During your first recruiter call, ask directly whether the specific location and role are approved for sponsorship. First Student's hiring decisions happen at the regional level, so a green light at one service center does not automatically apply to another.
Document Foreign Work Experience in U.S. Equivalent Terms
PERM requires proving your qualifications meet the job's stated requirements. If your diesel experience was gained outside the U.S., gather employer letters and service records that clearly describe your duties so they map cleanly onto the job description First Student submits to the DOL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does First Student sponsor H-1B visas for Diesel Mechanics?
H-1B visas are designed for specialty occupations that typically require a bachelor's degree, and Diesel Mechanic roles generally do not meet that threshold. First Student's sponsorship activity for this role has been through employment-based Green Card categories instead. If you're pursuing a path into this role with visa support, EB-2 or EB-3 sponsorship is the realistic route to explore.
Which visa types are commonly used for Diesel Mechanic roles at First Student?
First Student has pursued EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship for Diesel Mechanics, both of which are employment-based immigrant visa categories. EB-3 for skilled workers is the most common pathway for trade roles like this. It requires the employer to complete PERM labor certification through the DOL before filing a petition with USCIS on your behalf.
What qualifications and experience does First Student expect for Diesel Mechanic roles?
First Student typically expects hands-on experience maintaining and repairing diesel-powered vehicles, with school bus or heavy-duty fleet experience viewed favorably. ASE certification, particularly in diesel engines, brakes, or preventive maintenance, strengthens your profile. A valid commercial driver's license is sometimes preferred depending on the location's specific needs.
How do I apply for Diesel Mechanic jobs at First Student?
You can search and apply through First Student's careers page, filtering by location and job function. To find openings specifically tied to visa sponsorship history, browse Diesel Mechanic roles at First Student on Migrate Mate, which surfaces positions where the company has previously supported employment-based sponsorship for this job function.
How do I manage my visa status while waiting for Green Card sponsorship to process?
EB-3 PERM cases move through DOL review and USCIS petition stages before a Green Card becomes available, and the timeline can extend across multiple years depending on your country of birth and priority date. You'll need to maintain valid work authorization throughout. If you're currently on a nonimmigrant status, work with your employer and an immigration attorney to ensure there are no gaps in your authorized stay.