Assistant Service Manager - 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 learn—every 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 stability—plus experience with modern systems, statewide operations, and data-driven decision-making.

The South Carolina Department of Education is seeking an experienced, service-focused Assistant Service Manager to support daily school bus maintenance and repair operations within an assigned service center. This role serves as a working lead and technical specialist, assisting the Service Manager with supervision, scheduling, inspections, and compliance while maintaining hands-on responsibility for diagnostics, repairs, and preventive maintenance.

The Assistant Service Manager provides shop-level support and operational continuity by ensuring maintenance tasks are completed accurately, safely, and on time. This position reinforces fleet readiness, technician effectiveness, and safety compliance through direct technical work, task coordination, and consistent application of maintenance standards.

The Assistant Service Manager works under the direction of the Service Manager and in coordination with Operations Managers and regional leadership to support statewide transportation priorities and reliable service delivery.

Summary:Perform and support preventive maintenance and repair activities to keep fleet assets service-ready, reduce downtime, and ensure accurate maintenance documentation.

• Assist with scheduling and assigning daily maintenance and repair workloads
• Perform preventive maintenance services and repairs as assigned
• Diagnose computer-controlled vehicle systems using advanced diagnostic equipment
• Perform diagnostics and repair of engines, brake systems, electrical systems, cooling systems, exhaust systems, and transmissions as needed
• Diagnose, service, and repair air-conditioning and climate-control systems
• Support required 30-day, quarterly, and annual vehicle inspections and corrective actions
• Respond to road calls and emergency service requests, performing on-site repairs or coordinating towing
• Assist in maintaining accurate Asset Works work orders and maintenance records

Summary: Support safe, compliant facilities, tools, and equipment through inspections and adherence to shop cleanliness and readiness standards.

• Assist with shop and equipment inspections
• Maintain clean, safe, and organized work areas
• Ensure tools and equipment are used and maintained according to safety and operational standards
• Support compliance with environmental, safety, and departmental requirements

Summary: Support technician performance and development through task coordination, mentoring, and example as a working lead technician.

• Assist with assigning tasks and monitoring technician workflow
• Provide hands-on instruction, mentoring, and technical guidance to technicians
  
  Support training needs, certification tracking, and skill development
• Monitor Fuel Technician duties and performance as assigned
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and professional standards within the shop