Body Repair Technician in Lakewood, Washington at Pierce Transit

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Body Repair Technician to perform journey-level body repair and refinishing on buses, vans, trucks, and automobiles. Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, this position is responsible for ensuring vehicles are repaired safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to independently determine appropriate repair methods, procedures, and materials to restore vehicle bodies to a safe and serviceable condition.

If you want to be considered for this position, please read the full job announcement and all supplemental information before you apply. If you’re a skilled technician who takes pride in repairing and refinishing vehicle bodies safely and efficiently, we invite you to apply! Join our team and help keep our buses and fleet vehicles safe, reliable, and ready for service.

This is a full-time position with benefits. Your work schedule will be based on seniority. Please see the information below for details about shift differential pay.

Core Competencies

• Body Repair and Restoration – Repairs and restores vehicle bodies to safe, serviceable condition.

• Welding and Refinishing – Performs welding, metal fabrication, painting, and surface finishing.

• Safety and Compliance – Follows safety procedures and properly uses tools, equipment, and PPE.

• Technical Judgment and Problem-Solving – Selects appropriate repair methods, materials, and procedures.

• Teamwork and Work Management – Maintains accurate records, organized workspaces, and effective working relationships.

Shift differential:
Employees are eligible for differential pay per the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local #758 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Tool Allowance:
Body Repair Technicians are provided with an annual tool allowance of five hundred dollars ($500).

Lean More About Fleet Maintenance
Want to learn more about our Maintenance group? You can find more information about our work group here.

BENEFITS:
At Pierce Transit, our employees’ health is important to us too! That’s why we offer two on-site employee fitness rooms and an incredible Wellness Program in addition to excellent medical, dental, and vision packages.

If your career goals change while you are employed, we are here to help. Pierce Transit offers $5,000 per year (up to a total of $18,000) in Tuition Assistance after your one-year anniversary. Certifications, and career skills must be connected to a job at Pierce Transit.

All Pierce Transit employees are required to participate in the Washington State Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Pierce Transit offers two Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans to choose from, PERS2 and PERS3, as well as a matching program for 457 deferred compensations.

Employees are not covered under the Social Security System except for a 1.45% payment for Medicare.

Pierce Transit provides an ORCA Card benefit for each employee and a family member. This benefit provides free access to service on Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Monorail, Seattle Streetcar, King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Foot Ferry.

PAID LEAVE:
Full-time Pierce Transit employees are eligible to receive 11 paid holidays, 2 personal paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, 12 vacation days per year, and the ability to earn up to 2 additional personal holidays by participating in a qualifying wellness activity and the annual survey. Part-time employees, receive pro-rated leave, to include sick leave, vacation, personal holiday and holiday pay. Vacation leave accrual rates increase per the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

If you're not currently living in the Lakewood-area, that's not a problem! We may be able to help with reimbursing up to $2,500 in moving expenses for those who physically relocate their primary residence to the Pierce/King/Thurston County area (substantiated with receipts). Washington State was recently recognized as being number 1 in the nation for quality of life; read more about that here.

The following functions are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Straightens and/or replaces damaged bus, van, truck, and automobile bodies.
• Rivets and/or welds replacement panels to vehicles.
• Welds a variety of metals using gas, electric and MIG welding equipment.
• Enters work order data on Agency computers.
• Repairs and/or replaces seat frames, floors, and floor coverings.
• Replaces broken glass, windshields, mirrors, and rubber moldings.
• Adjusts and aligns doors of vehicles.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work area.
• May be required to make coach changes throughout the Pierce Transit service area.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate reliable and consistent attendance.

Minimum Qualifications:
Required:

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
• High school graduation or equivalent and
• five years of journey-level bus, truck or automotive body repair and painting experience or an equivalent combination of experience and training.

Desired:

• Bus or heavy-duty truck experience; experience with overall painting of enamels and urethanes;
• a current American Welding Society or equivalent certification and
• a stable work history as a journey-level body repairer with a commercial operation.

Licensing, Certifications, & Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver license at time of application, with maintenance thereafter.
• Must obtain a Class B Commercial License Permit (CLP) with air brake and Intrastate passenger endorsement prior to hire.
• Must successfully obtain a Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with air brake and passenger endorsement within ninety (90) days of hire, with maintenance thereafter.
• Must maintain acceptable driving record throughout employment.
• This job is considered safety sensitive, covered by the Agency’s drug and alcohol program and subject to testing according to federal regulations.
• Clearance is required prior to accessing Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Employees in this classification are subject to recurring background checks conducted by JBLM.
• Must possess a complete set of body repair tools and a roll-a-way toolbox necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Appointment is subject to successful completion of a pre-employment background check, pre-employment medical exam, physical ability test, and a drug and alcohol screen.
• Be granted respirator clearance prior to hire with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge of

• Standard practices, methods, tools and equipment used to repair heavy-duty bus, truck and automotive bodies.

• Mixing, matching and spraying of all types of paint and all low VOC coatings.

• Occupational hazards and safety precautions involved with the trade.

Ability to

• Read, understand and follow written instructions, work orders, equipment maintenance and repair manuals, and safety procedures.

• Design and fabricate parts for replacement of parts that are unavailable from the manufacturer.

• Estimate time and materials required to complete the duties of the job.

• Weld aluminum and sheet metal utilizing oxygen-acetylene, MIG/TIG and electric arc equipment.

• Maintain effective working relationships with division and Agency staff.

• Safely perform all duties of the job.

• Work as a team with other employees in a directed work team environment.

• Perform computerized work order methods and procedures.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this vacancy, you must apply online:

1. The online application must include a chronological work and/or education history covering a ten-year period.
2. At least 3 professional references should be included with names, professional titles, and current phone numbers and/or email addresses.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources staff at 253.581.8095 or jobs@piercetransit.org.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Pierce Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Pierce Transit has a strong commitment to the community we serve and our employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Pierce Transit's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay and all other forms of compensation, including benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.