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Opportunities
A technician can pursue many different jobs in the service department at a dealership.
Dealership Careers: Service Department
Express Service Technician
This is an entry-level position for qualified candidates learning the industry. Your job will be to provide quick service such as oil changes, maintenance and be able to inspect the car for other services needed. In this position, you will work closely with a mentor to learn the business thoroughly.
PDI and Accessory Installer
Usually the next step in the dealership, PDI and Accessory Installers will perform the pre-delivery and install accessories on new cars and gain product knowledge. In this position, you will still work with a mentor technician for more product knowledge and service operations.
Service Technician
In this position, you will generally work on your own or in a team, and expected to be able to maintain a vehicle bumper to bumper with little or no guidance. The more product knowledge you have, the more efficient you can become and more money you will be able to earn. Most dealerships require you to be ASE certified.
Specialists
These are service technicians who have attained a specialty and concentrate their skills in areas such as brakes, air conditioning, hybrid systems, natural gas or diesel engines to name a few. Besides aptitude for that specialty area, you will need to go to the Training Center to refine your skills in an area, and may need to take an examination to certify your skills.
Shop Manager or Foreman
This position is usually given to the best or most widely qualified technicians that can manage a team or whole shop. The primary responsibility is to make sure that work is finished promptly and done properly. You have to supervise and provide guidance for the other technicians, and may conduct training within the service department.
Service Advisor
This person is, in many cases, the first contact with the customer. The service advisor must have the technical knowledge to understand the problem and suggest certain repair procedures. It helps if he or she may have been a technician. Above all, service advisors must have great people skills, because after the sale is made they are the “face” of the dealership to the public. Because of this, they must be able to deal with both the customer and other service personnel in a courteous and professional manner.
Service Manager
It is the responsibility of the service manager to oversee all service operations within the dealership. He or she is responsible for the reputation, efficiency and profitability of the service department. Because the parts and service operations are a large percentage of dealership profits, this is one of the key positions in dealership management, and may lead to a future position as general manager or even ownership of a dealer.
Dealership Careers: Parts Department
Parts Runners
Most dealerships offer entry-level positions in the parts department such as pickup and delivery persons, parts helper/stocker, and shipping and receiving clerk. Also, because selling and ordering parts requires a relatively high level of technical knowledge of the vehicle, some parts technicians begin their careers as apprentice technicians in the service department.
Parts Counter Person
Often, these jobs are primarily involved with direct sales at the parts counter. Not only must this person be able to relate to customers politely and professionally, but they are often called upon to troubleshoot problems and procedures for customers who are performing their own repairs. They must understand retail operations, keep track of inventory, provide price quotes and ensure that the customer is aware of complementary products that may serve their needs. In addition, he or she will be required to work directly with technicians and shop managers to expedite parts required by the service department. Most dealerships require ASE certification.
Parts Manager
This position is responsible for hiring other parts personnel, as well as providing supervision and training opportunities for the parts department. He or she has overall responsibility for inventory control and forecasting, parts ordering, parts merchandising, display and advertising. This is a well-paying and demanding job, and requires a person who is organized, personable and comfortable managing employees and dealing directly with the public.
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