Automotive Senior Technician

Company Overview

Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO) is part of Bridgestone Americas and employs over 22,000 teammates in North America. BSRO operates more than 2,200 company-owned stores, including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus and Wheel Works locations. With locations across North America and more than $3 billion in tire and auto service sales, Bridgestone Retail Operations is the right place to build a career.

Whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just competitive pay. We provide formal training, performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, competitive healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build towards your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole self to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Job Category
Retail

Position Summary
$3,000 Sign-on Bonus Assists in performing diagnostic activities. Services and repairs automotive systems.

Pay Range: $20.30 - $35.15

Our technicians enjoy a performance-based compensation model known as flat-rate pay. This system rewards our skilled professionals with a predetermined amount for each eligible task, fostering a culture of efficiency and swift task accomplishment, ensuring you're fairly rewarded for your expertise and dedication. These rates reflect average productivity by region.

Responsibilities

Customer and Vehicle Service (85%)

Personally road tests automobiles (both before and after service work is performed).
Performs inspections on assigned vehicles following BSRO procedures (according to M.A.P. Guidelines) to reports findings to service management.
Assists in performing diagnostic activities.
Adequately explains mechanical diagnoses and needed repairs to non-mechanical individuals which may include teammates and Bosses on an as-required basis.
Performs tasks for which they are qualified in one or more of the following areas: brakes, electrical, engine performance, engine repair, heating/air conditioning, suspension/steering, automatic transmissions/transaxles and manual drivetrains and axles.
Keeps store management aware of service area mechanical repair problems as they occur.
Performs other duties as assigned or as required for the orderly management of the store, such as: removing mounting and/or installing tires, shock absorbers, batteries and other automotive supplies and services; loading and unloading trucks requiring the movement of items weighting up to 100 lbs.
Drives Boss or company vehicles to drop off and pick-up Bosses or automotive parts.
Practices proficiency in the application of BSRO methods, standards and procedures.
Continuously learns new technical information and techniques in formal training sessions in order to stay or become proficient in automotive diagnosis and repair.
Maintains A.S.E. certifications and air conditioning certifications as necessary.
Maintains state inspection licenses as necessary.
BSRO certifications completed and current.
Follows all BSRO applicable BSRO Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Policies.

Miscellaneous Functions (15%)

Maintains service center standards of cleanliness, orderliness and appearance of space and equipment in the service department.
Reviews maintenance/operating efficiency of tools and store equipment, i.e. engine diagnostic equipment, alignment machines, brake lathes, etc. If needed, the store will contact the qualified repair vendor to perform the maintenance.
Complies with company safety policy and federal/state OSHA safety requirements which include, but is not limited to, the wearing of approved eye protection, proper lifting techniques, proper wheel torqueing, proper footwear, etc.
Attends meetings as required by management.
Helps to provide on-the-job training for newly employed VSTs.
Other duties as assigned by Store Manager, Service Manager and/or Manager of Vehicle Services

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Store Deliveries

Tire deliveries contain between 90 & 400 tires 1 time per week depending on the retail location
Storage racks are between (4in. & 106in.)
Stack tires on carts between (1in. & 72in.) to take to storage. Then place in storage racks.
Roll tires to storage and place in storage racks
Roll tires to storage and place on a conveyor between (18in. & 43in.) then into racks
Roll tires to storage and place into stacks
Tires weigh between (11 lbs. & 66 lbs.)
Majority of tires weight between (18 lbs. & 27 lbs.)
Pushing or pulling tires into or out of tight racks requires (15 to 55 lbs.) of force

Tire Service

Perform 0 to 3 flat repairs per day
Mount and balance 4 to 28 tires per day
Rotate wheels on 1 to 7 vehicles per day
Pull new tires for customers weighing between (11 lbs. & 72 lbs.)
Average car tire weighs (27 lbs.), Average truck/SUV tire weighs (35 lbs.), Average Off Road Truck tire weighs (44.5 lbs.)
Tire racks are between (4in. & 106in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
Wheels weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.) with an average of (20.6 lbs.)
Place wheels and tires on mounting machines between (28in. & 31in.)
Place wheels on balancer between (27in. & 29in.)
Tire mounting handles are between (19in. & 64in.)
Use foot controls to remove and mount tires
Tire repair stand are between (36in. & 39in.)
Pulling back the tire bar to hook onto the mounting machine requires (20 to 35 lbs.) of force
Pulling the valve stem with a tool requires (1 to 15 lbs.) of force
Wing nut for balancer weighs (4 lbs.)
Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)
Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed.
Air hoses hang between (72in. & 80in.)

Oil Changes

Oil changes can take between (35 min. & 1 hour)
Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force
Pulling oil hose to vehicles requires (4 to 13 lbs.) of force
Oil hoses hang between (66in. & 80in.)
Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force
Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
Oil filters are stored between (4in. & 61in.)
Individual quarts of oil weigh (1.5 to 2 lbs.)
Oil filters weigh less then (5 lbs.)

Alignments

Perform between 2 & 10 alignments per day
Sliding vehicle plates requires up to (20 lbs.) of force
Alignment remote weighs (4.5 lbs.)
Sliding alignment jacks requires (10 to 55 lbs.) of force
Alignment computer keyboard is between (44in. & 47in.)
Alignment reflectors are between (22in. & 60in.)
Alignment reflectors weigh between (10 & 16 lbs.)
Alignment break arm weighs (1.5 lb.)
Step onto and off of alignment rack to access steering wheel, key and to set the parking in the vehicle
Use hand tools to make adjustments under the vehicle
All adjustments are performed overhead while vehicle is on the rack

Fluid Service

Fluid services can take up to 1 hour
Perform 1 to 5 fluid services per day
Fill transmission machine with 7 to 11 quarts of fluid
Fill coolant with up to 2 gallons weighing (9 lbs.) each
Old jugs of coolant can weigh up to (30 to 35 lbs.)
Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force
Use hand tools for fluid services
Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available
Perform overhead work under the vehicle
Maneuvering oil carts requires (4 to 15 lbs.) of force
Maneuvering coolant cart requires (4 to 20 lbs.) of force

Brake Service

Perform 0 to 2 brake fluid exchanges per day
Perform 0 to 2 brake pad changes per day
Perform 0 to 2 rotor services per day
Brake services can take between 1 & 2 hours per axle
Pulling out floor jack arms from under the vehicle requires (3 to 20 lbs.) of force
Adjusting arm length requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force
Maneuvering rack arms from the sides of the vehicles requires (3 to 22 lbs.) of force and are typically moved with feet
Air impact wrench/torque gun weighs (6 to 8 lbs.)
Pushing down on torque bars requires (40 to 80 lbs.) of force. Body weight can be used to offset the force needed.
Supplies are between (4in. & 112in.) with a ladder available
Hanging lights are between (76in. & 80in.)
Place rotors on the lathe between (39in. & 44in.)
Lathe controls are between (34in. & 40in.)
Total weight of wheels and tires together weigh an average of (30 to 55 lbs.) and can go up to (114 lbs.)
Calipers weigh between (5 & 12 lbs.)
Box of new rotors weigh between (5 & 42 lbs.)
Brake pads weigh between (1 & 5 lbs.)
Brake fluid vacuum device weighs up to (11 lbs.)

Air Conditioning Inspection

Performing air conditioning inspections takes 15 to 30 min
Removing and replacing parts can take up to 2 hours
Use hand tools to remove or replace parts
Maneuvering air conditioning cart requires between (4 & 20 lbs.)
Opening and closing hoods requires (3 to 6 lbs.) of force

Electrical Inspection

Perform diagnostic work for 1 to 3 vehicles per day
Replace parts as needed
Use hand tools to remove and replace parts
Complexity of work depends on experience

Miscellaneous

Opening doors requires (20 to 45 lbs.) of lifting force
Closing doors requires (20 to 80 lbs.) of pulling force without the use of body weight
Drive Boss vehicles
Batteries are on racks between (3in. & 48in.) weighing between (27 & 49 lbs.)
Supplies are between (5in. & 112in.) with ladders and step ladders available depending on the store
Supplies weigh between (1 & 42 lbs.)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Cold work environment in the winter with a cold cement floor
Hot work environment in the summer
Oil and other slippery substances on the floor at times
Exposure to a variety of chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication, etc.
use hand, power and air tools to perform repairs

Minimum Qualifications
Reading, writing and math skills
Must have a valid automobile driver’s license at all times and be able to drive customer and company vehicles
Must have a minimum 3 years of automotive repair experience, completion of Vocational-Technical School program in a related field or demonstrated skills via third party certificates/assessment
A.S.E certification in at least 3 (three) of A1-A8 is preferred. Will accept equivalent external qualifications or training certifications. (New Hires with external similar qualification/certification will have up to 2 years of employment to comply.)Maintains Federal, State and Local certification/license where applicable
Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical people

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.

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