Service Manager Bus Service Center Operations (Foreman),

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students support teachers empower parents and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

At the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) transportation plays a critical role in student access safety and opportunity across the state. Our work ensures that students arrive at school safely reliably and ready to learnevery day. SCDE Transportation helps districts statewide deliver safe reliable compliant service through operations maintenance safety training fleet management and leadership. As a state agency SCDE offers career pathways professional development and long-term stabilityplus experience with modern systems statewide operations and data-driven decision-making.

Job Purpose

The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking an experienced solutions-oriented Service Manager to lead daily school bus maintenance and repair operations within an assigned service center. This role focuses on hands-on shop leadership technician supervision maintenance quality fleet readiness and safety compliance ensuring vehicles are safe reliable and available to support student transportation needs.

The Service Manager provides service-center-level leadership and direct oversight of school bus maintenance activities. This position ensures fleet readiness effective technician performance safety compliance and facilities and equipment integrity through active supervision technical expertise and consistent operational standards.

The Service Manager works closely with Operations Managers service center leadership and regional management to align shop-level maintenance performance with statewide transportation priorities regulatory requirements and service expectations in support of South Carolinas pupil transportation mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure fleet readiness

Summary:Manage and perform preventive maintenance and complex repair activities to keep fleet assets service-ready minimize downtime and ensure accurate complete and timely maintenance documentation.

• Schedule assign and oversee daily maintenance and repair workloads
• Perform preventive maintenance services and assist with repairs as operational demands require
• Diagnose and repair computer-controlled vehicle systems using advanced diagnostic tools
• Perform advanced diagnostics and repairs on engines transmissions brake systems exhaust systems electrical systems and cooling systems
• Diagnose evacuate recharge and repair air-conditioning and climate-control systems
• Reduce out-of-service vehicle counts and ensure timely return to service
• Conduct required 30-day quarterly and annual vehicle inspections and ensure corrective actions are completed
• Verify accuracy and completeness of AssetWorks work orders and maintenance documentation

Maintain facility integrity

Summary:Maintain safe compliant service center facilities tools and equipment through inspections and consistent shop cleanliness and readiness standards.

• Conduct shop and equipment inspections to ensure compliance with standards
• Maintain clean safe and compliant shop and work environments
• Ensure tools equipment and facilities meet operational and regulatory requirements
• Ensure facilities and shop practices comply with environmental safety and departmental standards

Lead personnel effectiveness

Summary:Supervise train and support maintenance staff by managing workloads attendance technical development and performance expectations while serving as the senior technical authority in the shop.

• Supervise maintenance technicians and support staff
• Monitor attendance schedules and workload distribution
• Provide instruction mentoring and technical guidance to technicians
• Identify training needs and support certification and skill development
• Serve as a technical resource for complex diagnostics and repairs
• Support required certifications CDL compliance and professional development
• Address performance concerns and participate in employee-relations processes
• Provide instruction to school bus drivers regarding vehicle operation defect reporting and the impact of maintenance practices on safety and reliability

Enforce safety compliance

Summary:Promote a safe maintenance environment by enforcing OSHA and environmental standards ensuring PPE use investigating incidents and responding appropriately to emergencies.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA environmental and safety regulations
• Enforce PPE and safety procedures across shop operations
• Respond to road calls and emergency service situations as required
• Support accident investigations and required documentation

Deliver consistent service

Summary:Support reliable maintenance service delivery through coordination communication inventory control and accurate recordkeeping.

• Coordinate with Operations Managers and service center leadership regarding maintenance priorities
• Support inventory management parts usage tracking and supply control
• Assist with emergency weather-related and seasonal transportation operations
• Maintain permits inspections and maintenance records in audit-ready condition
• Perform other duties supporting statewide transportation services and agency priorities

Work experience involving the independent performance of job duties directly related to the area of employment.

Four (4) years of mechanical and repair experience in automotive diesel or related fields

Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with Passenger Tank Vehicle and Air Brake endorsements within 120 days of employment

Ability to operate power hydraulic electronic and computerized diagnostic equipment

Ability to pass required drug screenings background checks and USDOT medical examination

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of school bus maintenance and fleet repair practices
• Ability to supervise maintenance personnel and manage shop operations
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and inspection systems
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain accurate documentation
• Commitment to safety accountability and public service

Working Conditions

Work is performed in indoor and outdoor maintenance environments with exposure to noise grease fumes weather conditions and confined spaces. Adherence to all safety environmental and PPE requirements is mandatory.

Career Growth at SCDE Transportation

SCDE Transportation values practical experience operational knowledge and leadership readiness. Technical expertise is a strong foundation for effective supervision and internal advancement is supported through training mentorship and clear role progression. SCDE Transportation promotes long-term career growth by helping employees build on hands-on experience expand skills and pursue advancement in a stable mission-driven statewide organization.

Benefits

As part of a comprehensive state compensation package the South Carolina Department of Education offers:

• Health Dental Vision Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance options
• Fifteen (15) days annual leave per year
• Fifteen (15) days sick leave per year
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation (401k) programs
• Professional development and leadership training opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

The South Carolina Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race color religion sex national origin age disability or veteran status.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

Experience:

Manager