Photos
Under The Hood
Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?
We offer a fully climate controlled working environment
What is the size of the team I’d be working with?
We currently have a total crew of 10. Shop manager, service advisor, parts person and 7 technicians
What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?
Our hours are 8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday. No weekends
What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?
OEM, Autel, Snap-on, HP Tuners and Bosch scan tools and programmers. Specialty tools for powertrain repairs, suspension "On-The-Car" hydraulic press tools, electrical/electronic systems testers (including labscopes), alignment/ADAS systems, A/C systems (including electronic compressor testers), Hybrid car and Diesel testing equipment are all provided.
What type of break room facility is provided?
We have a kitchen/break area with seating for 8, sink, microwave and refrigerator with ice maker. Soft drinks, water and snacks are provided. We have quarterly cook-outs where the managers cook for and serve the rest of the staff, go over previous business, give an out-look moving forward and award "bonus" checks.
How many bays does your shop have?
The shop has 2 Alignment bays, 2-12K 2 post lifts, 3-10K 2 post lifts, 2-9k double scissor lifts and 2 flat bays.
How many repair orders do you average per month?
Overall ticket count average is 200
What is your parts ordering process?
We have a dedicated parts/estimator person. Our digital inspection software automatically builds the estimate as the inspection is being done. Once the inspection is completed, the tech updates the RO status and advises the parts person with any pertinent job information. Parts are electronically ordered and delivered to our parts department. Parts person notifies the shop foreman after parts check-in and job is re-dispatched for repairs.
What is your policy on side work?
What you do at your home is your business, as long as it doesn't involve our customers. Side work at our shop is not allowed, except for work on family members vehicles.
Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?
We pride ourselves on the professional and clean look of our shop and staff. It has the positives of a well ran dealership without the drama or end-fighting...
Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?
We have our own in-house training and continuing education program that allows staff to take their automotive career as far as they are willing to invest their time into it. We offer training from automotive entry-level through master technician as well as management fundamentals to shop apprenticeship/ownership programs.
Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?
Over my 45 years in the automotive industry, I have hired young people in as quick-lube staff that have gone on the become dealership shop service directors, master technicians, technical school instructors and business owners. I use a time proven method and maintain a shop atmosphere that provides the opportunity (not the guarantee) for a person to take their career in the automotive field as far as they have the determination and grit to go...
Can you describe your performance review process?
We measure the following "Key Performance Indicators" to evaluate technician performance- New hire Entry Level/ Apprentice Tech: 1) In-House hands-on skills testing program for general maintenance -evaluated by the owner or shop foreman. (90 day program) 2) Course completion of On-Line assignments scheduled through our AVI On-Demand portal and in-shop skills demonstration that the technician has achieved proficiency of each skill before moving to the next subject. (1 year program) 3) Productivity goal tracking- daily entries into our in-house system that monitors job productivity with an expectation of 80% or better over a 13 week rolling average. 4) Billed Hours- Entry level technicians are expected to produce a minimum of 20/wk over a 13 week rolling average. Line/Master Technician: 1) Productivity goal tracking- daily entries into our in-house system that monitors job productivity with an expectation of 80% or better over a 13 week rolling average. 2) Billed Hours- Entry level technicians are expected to produce a minimum of 35/wk over a 13 week rolling average. 3) Complete a minimum of 6 hours per quarter of continuing education provided by the company through: a) Our on-line AVI On-Demand portal. b) Attend scheduled classroom/ on-site training through our "Garage Gurus" training partners, parts distributors or OE sources. 4) Work quality assessments through our in-house "repeat repair" system.
What type of safety training is required?
Provided and measured by knowledge and practical hands-on testing during our "on-boarding" process.
Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?
On-boarding of young technicians consists of 3 elements: 1) Tech is assigned a series of On-Line evaluation "Assessment" tests to determine their strengths and weakness- Based on the results of the evaluations, a training program is established to "fast-track" the technician to challenge the ASE G1 test. 2) Tech is assigned to the shop foreman or a lead tech to practice and demonstrate understanding of the task being performed. The tech learns through observation and successfully repeating observed tasks. 3) Tech is tested on the comprehension and hands-on mastery of each area of training until he/she is able to challenge the related ASE test.
How does your shop get involved with the local community?
We support and service all our locate police and fire departments. We offer discounts and complimentary services to the members and provide our facilities for K9 training. We offer special services to local churches for those effected by natural disaster or special needs.
Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?
We offer facility tours, technician interviews for student questions and special equipment training for equipment not available to the school.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about career development and community?
We provide the opportunity.........you bring the drive and the grit to make it happen....
Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?
No- All applicants are encouraged to review and applicable requirements for positions listed prior to applying. Any questions will be addressed in the position requirement. Any questions on "Work Experience Equivalency" (Military service experience/ related field) should be emailed to us for guidance.
What do your in-person interviews entail?
The first interview is with the owner. Expected conversations could include: Discussions of why you chose to apply with us. What your expectations are. What are you bringing in the way of talent. What your interest outside the job are. What obligations you may have that would effect your work performance. Second interview is with the shop foreman and one other management team member. These tend to cover more technical and shop procedure topics to gauge your practical knowledge and reasoning skills.
Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?
We perform background and reference checks before hiring. Skills testing/evaluations are done after hiring as part of our on-boarding process.
Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?
On rare occasions we hire an entry-level person with no formal training or previous documented skills assessments such as ASE tests. In that circumstance, we normally arrange a hands-on evaluation to determine if the person has the basic motor skills and mechanical aptitude to successfully complete our training program.
After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?
1-3 days
Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?
1-3 days
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your hiring process?
3DD Automotive is a "Drama Free" zone so we take our hiring extremely seriously. We have a fun and family atmosphere and are very protective of it. We are looking for only people with common sense, strong character, honesty and a strong desire to learn and succeed. We can teach anyone with those attributes and a good mechanical aptitude to be a master technician, an excellent service advisor, great parts person or a shop owner....if is ENTIRELY up to the individual to put in the effort....we just provide the opportunity and training....
Entry Level/Apprentice Technician
Pay Range: $35,000.00 - $41,500.00/year
($16.83 - $19.95/hr)
Hourly paid position with quarterly performance-based bonuses
- Health Insurance Offered
- Health insurance for employee and/or family covered up to $600/month
- Dental Insurance Offered
- Covered under health policy
- Vision Insurance Offered
- Covered under health policy
- Retirement Plan Not Offered
- Sick Leave Offered
- 3 days/year PTO
- Vacation Offered
- 2 weeks pay after 1 year
- Paid Holidays Offered
- We have 6 paid holidays- New Years Day, Christmas, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
- ST / LT Disability Offered
- Base accident plan provided by the company through Colonial Insurance. Employee can add optional coverage
- Life Insurance Offered
- Base policy provided by the company through Colonial Insurance. Employee can add optional coverage
- Uniforms Offered
- We provide work shirts and pants
- Other Offered
- All training covered by the company (Including travel, lodging and meals)
Shop Talk
Top Shop Challenge: Thanksgiving week! Thank someone on your team that consistently goes above and beyond to help the team.
Find that person in your shop that make a real difference week after week. Often it will be a surprise to you, the owner, who that is. Sometimes the one that makes the most noise isn't the one that gets the most done....