Service Technician Apprentice - Findlay Volkswagen Henderson

General Summary:

Shop Apprentice functions as a technician who is able to perform light maintenance and repairs which include lube, oil, and filter changes, balancing and rotation of tires, etcetera as assigned in accordance with dealer and factory standards and builds customer loyalty by developing trust and ensuring customer sees Findlay Volkswagen as a care-giver for their vehicle safety and reliability. This position is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Reports to: Shop Foreman and Fixed Operations Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures that workshop is clean, organized, and free of dangerous or hazardous materials
• Perform work as requested on service repair orders expeditiously and with accuracy, in accordance with dealership and factory standards
• Assists Master Technician as instructed
• Road test vehicles as required
• Conduct multi-point inspections to make appropriate recommendations to ensure safety and reliability of customer vehicles 
• Proficient use of diagnostic tools and special service equipment
• Communicate directly with Service Advisors to ensure customers are properly informed of additional service recommendations
• Communicate directly with Parts Advisors to effectively manage production 
• Communicate directly with Master Technician(s) and/or Shop Foreman
• Provide accurate and efficient time estimates necessary to complete repairs to customer’s vehicles
• Document work performed on each vehicle on the repair order
• Saves and tags parts off the job if under warranty or if requested by the customer
• Participates in factory-sponsored training classes as appropriate
• Keeps abreast of manufacturer technical bulletins
• Maintains and is accountable for all dealership-owned tools and manuals. Return them to the proper place and in the same condition as they were received.
• Operates all tools and equipment in a safe manner
• Reports machinery defects or malfunctions to the supervisor.
• Ensures that customers’ cars are kept clean. Notifies service advisors immediately of anything that has happened to change the appearance or condition of the vehicle.
• Provides an exceptional customer experience to drive loyalty
• Stays current on new vehicle technologies and diagnostic methods
• Other tasks as assigned.

Competencies

• Ability to navigate Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Google Drive.
• Savvy in the operation of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining professionalism.
• Ability to effectively communicate needs to team-members, management, and customers.
• Ability to work well with all types of people.
• Ability to resolve conflict.
• Literate in spoken and written English language.
• Ability to navigate VW Hub with special focus on all reports and backend tools associated with vehicle repairs and warranty inquiries.
• Ability to comprehend Volkswagen technical service bulletins, recall notices, VW techline notes, etcetera.
• Ability to apply understanding to carrying out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  

Qualifications and Requirements

• Valid Nevada driver’s license
• Clear background check
• Ability to pass pre-employment Federal drug screen
• High School Diploma or general education degree (GED); or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Must maintain an inventory of normal technician’s tools not inventoried by the Service department as “shop cart tools” or “special tools”
• Must have hands on experience (Lube Tech, Tire Tech, Military, Trade Schools.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the Technician is regularly required to stand. The employee may be required to sit. Employees must use hands to hold, handle, feel, or reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.  Employees must have sufficient strength in arms to effectively use hand tools and to make sure that fasteners are properly secured. Stamina will be important as some repairs will involve several hours of continuous work. Employees should possess excellent manual dexterity and fine motor skills. Normal color vision is necessary to accurately read diagrams and comprehend color-coded wiring.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Technician encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this role, the Technician is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions including (but not limited to) summer heat and winter cold. It will, at times, be necessary for the Technician to access vehicles that are extremely hot due to sun exposure on the dealership’s lot. Although the interior of the dealership is air conditioned, there may be times when the temperature is warmer or colder inside based on the frequency with which workshop doors are opened and closed. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud (could be distracting and/or uncomfortable). Employees could often be exposed to hazardous situations, conditions, and equipment that could result in injury. May at times, work inside enclosed vehicles, may work in cramped spaces such as underneath vehicles and may require getting into awkward positions. Must regularly wear protective gear such as goggles or earplugs. Employees may be exposed to contaminants such as anti-freeze and chemical degreasers. Employees will often be subjected to grease and dirt.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

The Technician role is a full time position. Technicians are expected to work at least five (5) full work days per week. ‘Overtime’ could be necessary to ensure coverage of the workshop should team members be unavailable. Technicians will be scheduled off every Sunday in alignment with dealership’s hours and up to one additional day per week. The additional day may vary to accommodate dealership’s staffing needs. Technicians will be scheduled off all holidays listed in Findlay VW’s employee handbook in accordance with the service department’s work schedule. Additional schedule flexibility may be required. One hundred (100) percent of the Technician’s duties and expectations must be completed onsite at Findlay Volkswagen Henderson with the notable exceptions of participating in offsite training, meetings, and Volkswagen events.  There will be times where overnight travel will be necessary.

Team Member Expectations

• On time (15 minutes before shift).
• Positive Attitude.
• In uniform in accordance with Findlay VW’s dress code.
• Maintains clean and safe work area.
• Attend department meetings.
• Attend and participate in the Annual All Employee Meeting.

AAP/EEO Statement:

• Findlay Volkswagen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, dealership transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

DISCLAIMER: 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities, skills, requirements, working conditions etcetera, associated with performing the job.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or require new/different tasks, duties, responsibilities and activities be performed as assigned at any time with or without notice.