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Under The Hood
Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?
All of the shops at Drivers Village are heated and air conditioned. We try and maintain a comfortable temperature year round
What is the size of the team I’d be working with?
We currently have 6 Audi flat rate techs, 2 Audi apprentice techs, and 4 techs in training and a Saturday only tech.
What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?
Our current operating hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30-7:00 Friday 7:30-6:00 and Saturday 8:00-4:00. We are closed on Sundays. Techs are expected to be ready to work at 8:00AM and the day is done at 5:00PM (M-F) and 4:00PM on Saturday. We do have a Saturday only tech currently otherwise Saturdays are on a rotation between flat rate techs.
What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?
We carry all special tools that Audi and our sister stores (VW and Porsche) require. Techs are expected to provide there own stocked tool box.
What type of break room facility is provided?
There is a break room in every shop equipped with microwave, coffee maker and refrigerator. We also have a breakfast and lunch café on premises that serves food everyday. In addition, there is a game room for all employees as well as a quiet room if you need somewhere to go to relax.
How many bays does your shop have?
We have 13 active bays in the Audi shop, 1 flat bay and 1 Hunter alignment machine.
How many repair orders do you average per month?
On average, we generate 625 repair orders. That number does not include preps or any internal work that we get from the sales department or the other used car departments on the property.
What is your parts ordering process?
We use Xtime and we have a shared parts department with VW and Porsche. Audi has recently changed from one day to two day turn around on parts from our PDC in New Jersey. We can still get parts overnighted if we order before noon.
What is your policy on side work?
Technicians are welcome to work on their own vehicles (and family members) once a repair order is generated and get parts at a discounted rate.
Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?
We at Audi of Cicero are just one of the many dealerships at Drivers Village. Drivers Village is a former shopping mall that has been reimagined into a one stop destination for the driving needs of Central New York. The former mall houses 18 franchises, has insurance agents, a café, businesses, a DMV office and even the Syracuse sports hall of fame all under one roof. Customers can access every dealership without having to walk outside if the weather is poor.
Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?
Yes, all employees are sent to the Audi Academy for training. In addition Drivers Village offers in house training and leadership classes. We have partnered with our other franchises to offer no cost classes and degrees at work through Strayer University (on-line classes and studies)
Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?
Technicians can rise through the ranks as they progress along Audi career path, writers also move along the same path and management opportunities are available
Can you describe your performance review process?
Technicians have a yearly sit down review as well as informal weekly check ups through out the year
What type of safety training is required?
We provide yearly training from OSHA. There is also safety training, AED training and lift training.
Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?
Younger techs are mentored by the shop foreman who then in turn rotated them through the shop working with senior technicians so they can get a wide range of views and technical know how. Younger techs will assist senior techs on jobs until they can demonstrate proficiency in that area and can then begin to work more independently.
How does your shop get involved with the local community?
We sponsor many local charities and local events including firework nights at AAA baseball (Syracuse Mets) and support our AHL hockey team (Syracuse Crunch). We also work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and provide space to make and volunteer to build beds for any child that needs them in the Syracuse area. We also provide technical support for the local fire department on HV vehicles.
Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?
We work closely with OCM BOCES and local high schools to provide internships. We have also partnered with the local tech colleges to provide internships and work experience. We also provide space on property for the local tech schools to set up classrooms and automotive students can be seen shadowing techs through out the school year.
Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?
Yes, we do it and do not use an outside company for this process.
What do your in-person interviews entail?
We start with a meeting with a manager and then meet with overall service director
Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?
Yes, we contingent offers based on successful background check and drug screening. We do not perform any personality tests
Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?
The verbal interview with the manager and shop foreman (if is a technician position) will provide the information we require.
After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?
Usually this process entails a few days.
Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?
Typically the wait time would be 7-10 days before a decision can be made and then a few more days to complete the background checks.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your hiring process?
We work diligently to fill positions with qualified and experienced people that we feel would an asset to Drivers Village
service writer
Pay Range: $40,000.00 - $70,000.00/year
This is a salaried position with bonus. Weekly salary can range between $700-$900/week based on experience. Performance bonus, CSI bonus and seasonal incentives are calculated and paid out on a monthly basis.
Technician
Pay Range: $38,000.00 - $100,000.00/year
Technician pay depends on experience level. We are not afraid to hire green technicians as everyone deserves a starting point. Pay increases with experience and level of Audi certification. There is also an opportunity for performance bonuses and incentives through out the year
- Health Insurance Offered
- Excellus Blue Cross and employer does participate in cost of insurance, all employees are eligible after 60 days
- Dental Insurance Offered
- Delta Dental and employer does participate in cost of insurance, all employees are eligible after 60 days
- Vision Insurance Offered
- Davis Vision and employer does participate in cost of insurance, all employees are eligible after 60 days
- Retirement Plan Offered
- 401k match up to 2% by employer
- Sick Leave Offered
- 56 hours per year as per NY State law
- Vacation Offered
- 1 week after 90 days, increases to 10 days after 1 year of employment and increases 1 day per year until 20 years. After 25 years increases another 5 days.
- Paid Holidays Offered
- The 5 major holidays, New Years, Memorial, Independence, Thanksgiving and Christmas are days off.
- ST / LT Disability Offered
- Both available at a weekly cost, offered to all new employees without a physical.
- Life Insurance Offered
- $25,000 paid by employer to beneficiary, also has additional coverage for employee's spouse and dependents.
- Uniforms Offered
- Uniforms provided by employer
- Other Offered
- Chaplains are available to all employees and family for mental health or in times of need
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Shop Talk
Top Shop Challenge: Talk about some of the recent things your shop has done to help out local schools.
Drivers Village provides classroom space for our local OMC BOCES program. BOCES students learn from expert instructors starting from the basics to the latest in automotive technology. As part of their education, they shadow and assist technicians for a semester learning what it takes to be a certified automotive technician which prepares them for entering the business with some experience. We have been in this partnership with BOCES for 10 years now, training the next generation of technicians.