Collision Technician – Bus Service Center Operations

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 supports districts statewide through maintenance safety fleet management and training. As a state agency SCDE offers long-term stability hands-on experience with a modern fleet professional development and opportunities to grow within a mission-driven organization.

Job Purpose

The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking a skilled and dependable Collision Technician to perform specialized repair and restoration work on school buses and fleet vehicles following collision damage or structural repair needs. This position plays a key role in restoring vehicles to safe compliant and pre-accident operating condition in support of statewide transportation services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure fleet readiness

• Restore damaged vehicles to OEM specifications and pre-accident condition through accurate damage assessment structural repair and quality workmanship.
• Inspect vehicles to identify collision-related safety-critical and structural damage and determine appropriate repair processes and sequencing.
• Complete structural repairs body panel replacement component installation and alignment work using approved tools equipment and repair standards.
• Refinish repaired areas through sanding priming painting and application of protective coatings to meet appearance and corrosion protection standards.
• Prepare repair estimates document work performed coordinate with supervisors and ensure accurate tracking of parts labor and repair activities.
• Keep work areas clean and organized properly use tools and equipment and follow all safety environmental and PPE requirements.

Work experience involving independent performance of automotive repair body work or collision restoration.

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

Ability to pass required criminal background checks and drug screenings.

Four (4) or more years of experience in automotive mechanical collision repair or body shop operations.

Experience with structural repair panel replacement refinishing and damage estimating.

Familiarity with OEM repair standards and shop safety practices.

Career Growth at SCDE Transportation

SCDE Transportation values skilled trades and supports employee development through training certifications and internal advancement opportunities. Collision Technicians may build advanced repair expertise and pursue progression into senior technician lead or supervisory roles within a stable statewide transportation operation.

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 for employees and eligible dependents
• Fifteen (15) days annual (vacation) 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 training opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer

The South Carolina Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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:

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