First Mate Jobs at First Student with Visa Sponsorship
First Mate roles at First Student put you at the center of school transportation operations, supporting safe, reliable service across a national network. First Student has pursued employment-based sponsorship for this function, making it a viable target if you're building a long-term career in U.S. transportation logistics.
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Get Access To All JobsFirst Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician III
Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full-time day shift
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 Memphis 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: $27.50 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 3-5 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.
First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician III
Hours/Schedule: Monday-Friday, Full-time day shift
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 Memphis 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: $27.50 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 3-5 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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding First Mate Jobs at First Student Jobs
Align your credentials with DOT standards
First Mate roles at First Student operate within a DOT-regulated environment. Before applying, confirm your transportation safety certifications and any relevant licensing translate clearly to U.S. standards, since USCIS reviewers will assess whether your background maps to the role's requirements.
Target regions with active fleet needs
First Student operates depot networks across dozens of states. Focusing your applications on regions where the company is actively expanding school bus contracts increases your odds of reaching a hiring manager who has budget and urgency to move a sponsorship process forward.
Understand the EB-2 versus EB-3 tradeoff early
First Student has sponsored both EB-2 and EB-3 pathways for this function. EB-3 is more commonly used for operational roles, but if your qualifications support EB-2, the PERM labor certification process and priority dates work differently. Know which category your background fits before the offer stage.
Prepare for a PERM-driven sponsorship timeline
Employment-based Green Card sponsorship through First Student requires a PERM labor certification filed with DOL before USCIS can adjudicate your petition. That process can span well over a year, so aligning your current visa status and authorized stay period with that timeline matters from day one.
Ask directly about sponsorship intent during interviews
First Student's hiring teams vary by region. Some district managers are experienced with the sponsorship process and others are not. During interviews, raise your work authorization needs clearly and ask whether the location has previously supported employment-based petitions for this role.
Use Migrate Mate to surface open First Mate roles
First Mate openings at First Student are posted across a large geographic footprint and fill quickly. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for sponsorship-eligible transportation roles, so you're applying to positions where the employer has already indicated willingness to support work authorization.
First Mate at First Student jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find First Mate at First Student JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does First Student sponsor H-1B visas for First Mates?
First Student's sponsorship activity for First Mate roles has centered on employment-based Green Card pathways rather than H-1B visas. The H-1B is generally reserved for specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field, and First Mate positions in school transportation logistics may not consistently meet that threshold. If you're on an H-1B with a different employer, a direct transfer to First Student is worth discussing with an immigration attorney before applying.
Which visa types are commonly used for First Mate roles at First Student?
Employment-based immigrant visa categories, primarily EB-2 and EB-3, are the pathways First Student has used to sponsor workers in this function. These require a PERM labor certification filed with DOL, followed by an I-140 petition with USCIS. EB-3 is the more common route for operational logistics roles, though your qualifications may support an EB-2 petition if you hold an advanced degree or can demonstrate exceptional ability.
What qualifications or experience are expected for First Mate positions at First Student?
First Mate roles at First Student typically involve supporting fleet operations, student transportation logistics, or route and safety compliance within a school bus network. Employers in this sector expect hands-on experience in transportation coordination or operations management, familiarity with DOT safety regulations, and strong organizational skills. Prior experience in a school transportation environment or with large vehicle fleet oversight is a practical advantage when competing for these positions.
How do I apply for First Mate jobs at First Student?
Use Migrate Mate to find open First Mate positions at First Student that are flagged for visa sponsorship eligibility. Once you identify a relevant posting, apply directly through First Student's hiring portal and be upfront about your work authorization status in your application. Because First Student operates regionally, reaching out to local depot or district managers after submitting your application can accelerate the review process.
How do I plan my timeline if First Student agrees to sponsor my Green Card?
Once an offer is in place, the PERM labor certification process with DOL is the first major step and can take six months to over a year on its own. After certification, your employer files an I-140 with USCIS, and your priority date determines how long you wait for a visa number under the EB-2 or EB-3 category. If you're from India or China, per-country backlogs can significantly extend that wait, so maintaining valid nonimmigrant status throughout the process is essential.
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