Vehicle maintenance attendant

Vehicle maintenance attendants execute basic tasks such as changing oil, changing filters, changing spark plugs at a vehicle maintenance station.

Vehicle maintenance attendants typically do the following:

• Perform basic vehicle maintenance duties for vehicles as directed; assist with transmission service, pack wheel bearings, change oil, filters and tires as necessary.
• Repair and replace wheels, tires, hubs and rims.
• Assist with storing repair parts, supplies, tools, equipment and materials.
• Process work orders for parts used on vehicles as assigned.
• Assure quality and completion of work assigned.
• Assist in starting vehicles.

The following job titles also refer to vehicle maintenance attendant:

heavy vehicle maintenance attendant
light vehicle service technician
LGV maintenance attendant
bus maintenance attendant
coach maintenance attendant
bus service technician
coach service technician
LGV service technician
heavy vehicle service technician
fast-fit maintenance attendant
light vehicle maintenance attendant
bus and coach service technician
PCV service technician
bus and coach maintenance attendant
fast-fit service technician
PCV maintenance attendant

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a vehicle maintenance attendant. A valid driving license is also a plus.\.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Vehicle maintenance attendant is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to vehicle maintenance attendant.

vehicle electronics installer
roadside vehicle technician
vehicle maintenance supervisor
refurbishing technician
restoration technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of vehicle maintenance attendant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of vehicle maintenance attendant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

performance rental technician
petroleum pump system operator
motor vehicle shop manager
visual merchandiser
interior planner

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of vehicle maintenance attendant.

• Car controls: The functioning of specific car equipment such as how to operate and handle the clutch, throttle, lighting, instrumentation, transmission and the brakes.
• Types of vehicles: Field of information which distinguishes rental agency classification systems, containing types and classes of vehicles and their functioning and components.

These skills are necessary for the role of vehicle maintenance attendant.

• Follow control of substances hazardous to health procedures: Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.
• Execute vehicle maintenance: Execute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, performing non-mechanical maintenance tasks. Service small engines including hydraulic equipment. Check the oil and fluid levels on all equipment. Check vehicles and equipment to ensure that they are in smooth and safe working order.
• Ensure customer focus: Attitude that puts customers at the centre of the business in all cases.
• Position vehicles for maintenance and repair: Place vehicles in the right position (such as on top of a pneumatic lift) for repair and maintenance tasks. Follow safety procedures.
• Handle chemical cleaning agents: Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Perform technical tasks with great care: Avoiding possible risks and unwanted outcomes by watching carefully over all parts of a machine, device or vehicle and executing processes of production, maintenance or repair with great care.
• Follow given instructions: Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
• Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
• Perform manual work autonomously: Show the ability to pursue basic manual tasks without the help or assistance of others, not needing supervision or guidance, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
• Carry out improvised vehicle repairs: Identify mechanical/technical car problems; perform improvised or intermediate repairs on vehicles; take into account individual customer requests.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of vehicle maintenance attendant. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Teamwork principles: The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of vehicle maintenance attendant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain vehicle records: Maintain vehicle records by accurately recording service operations and repairs.
• Maintain inventory of vehicle cleaning supplies: Maintain an inventory of cleaning products and materials for vehicle cleaning purposes.
• Fix minor vehicle scratches: Fix minor vehicle dents and scratches with touch-up paint.
• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Order supplies for vehicle maintenance and repair: Order supplies and tools for vehicle repair and maintenance.
• Perform minor vehicle repairs: Repair/replace non-essential vehicle parts such as turn signals, lights, fluid hoses, etc.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Report accounts of the professional activity: Recount events and facts which happened in professional contexts in a trustworthy manner.
• Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.

7231 – Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers

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References

1. Vehicle maintenance attendant – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by arvin latifi