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Under The Hood
Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?
Our shop is heated in the winter, and there are various large fans to help move air in the summer.
What is the size of the team I’d be working with?
We currently have 34 employees between two shifts. A tech team is 2-5 guys.
What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?
We are closed weekends. Day Shift is 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday Night Shift is 3p-1a, Monday-Thursday
What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?
We provide all the larger tools and equipment, including scanners and software subscriptions.
What type of break room facility is provided?
There is an employee break room with tables, rolling office chairs, sink, microwave, pizza oven, fridge, and TV.
How many bays does your shop have?
22
How many repair orders do you average per month?
A lot.
What is your parts ordering process?
The tech records the part needed in his service order on his assigned tablet and lets the parts department know what he's working on, and they take it from there.
What is your policy on side work?
Employees are not allowed to work for our customers outside of their work for us. They are not allowed to use our shop to work for their customers.
Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?
We have gym equipment for employees to use.
Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?
We offer periodic training, some of which is in-person, some video, some online courses.
Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?
We have clear tech designations/levels showing skills at each leavel that will move a tech along the path in pay, as well as towards lead tech opportunities.
Can you describe your performance review process?
We have regular (roughlyl every other month) 1-on-1 visits instead of annual or semi-annual reviews.
What type of safety training is required?
Some of our periodic training is safety-related. Monthly employee lunches will include safety information as information needs to be shared.
Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?
Lead Techs work near younger techs and are always available to help answer questions. Our culture is one where knowledge is freely shared between the techs.
How does your shop get involved with the local community?
We have participated in projects with students at a local high school in the past, providing real-life learning opportunities.
Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?
We have a registered apprenticeship that is shared at local high schools. Periodically we host shop tours for high school students who are considering this profession. Any time a student wants to do a job shadow, we are happy to work that into our schedule.
Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?
No
What do your in-person interviews entail?
Typically applicants are given a tour of the shop where they can see what we work on, the environment they would be working in, and talk to current employees along they way if they wish. We then spend time visiting together in a more typical interview with the management team.
Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?
Tech applicants typically complete two different assessments before coming in for an interview. All applicants will pass pre-employment drug screening and remain part of a random screening pool as employees.
Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?
No. We use a mechanical aptitude test as part of our screening process.
After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?
A few days, max, but sometimes the same day, depending on how many candidates we still need to interview.
Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?
This depends on how quickly the applicant is available to complete the assessments and in-person interview, but it can usually happen in a week or so.
A Level Technician
Pay Range: $38.00 - $42.00/hour
We pay hourly plus a productivity bonus. We also have a weekly tool allowance that techs receive on their paycheck.
B Level Technician
Pay Range: $32.00 - $38.00/hour
We pay hourly plus a productivity bonus. We also have a weekly tool allowance that techs receive on their paycheck.
C Level Technician
Pay Range: $28.00 - $32.00/hour
We pay hourly plus a productivity bonus. We also have a weekly tool allowance that techs receive on their paycheck.
Student Tech / Apprentice
Pay Range: $18.00 - $28.00/hour
We have a registered apprenticeship. Apprentice pay increases as additional skills are learned. Students and apprentices do not qualify for the producitivty bonus.
Lube Technician
Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00/year
N/A
- Health Insurance Offered
- We pay 100% of employee premiums and 25% of dependent premiums. It is a high deductible plan. We match $10/week into employee health savings accounts.
- Dental Insurance Offered
- We pay 100% of employee premiums.
- Vision Insurance Not Offered
- Retirement Plan Offered
- We have both Traditional and ROTH versions of the 401k plan. We have a match. Employees are eligible after 6 months employment, and are vested immediately.
- Sick Leave Offered
- This is included in our Paid Time Off.
- Vacation Offered
- We have Paid Time Off to be used for vacations and emergency leaves/sick time. You begin earning PTO at the beginning of employment. The rate of accrual increases at 1 year, 2 year, and on.
- Paid Holidays Offered
- 8 paid holidays each year
- ST / LT Disability Offered
- Provided at no cost to employees.
- Life Insurance Offered
- Provided at no cost to employees.
- Uniforms Offered
- Provided at no cost to employees - shirts, pants, jackets, and insulated coveralls as needed.
- Other Offered
- Employees can purchase parts for their own vehicles at our cost.
Shop Talk
Top Shop Challenge: WrenchWay is conducting a technician pay survey because many believe the BLS data of $46k average pay is not reflective of the industry. Please comment on what someone at your shop can earn.
We pay hourly + bonus, not flat rate. Our tech pay, without overtime or bonus, ranges from $58K/year for the guy who is a brand new tech (not a student) to nearly $90K/year for an experienced, successful tech. That said, the fact is that we are a busy shop and most of our techs have the opportunity to work overtime if they choose to, so overtime and bonus goes on top of these base pay numbers. We also have great benefits, which shouldn't be overlooked by a job seeker. We pay 100% of the premiums for employee health and dental insurance, as well as short and long-term disability insurance. We have a weekly tool allowance. We have a 401k plan with matching funds. We match money into health savings accounts. We have paid time off and paid holidays. We are closed on weekends, so there is never any weekend work required. Plus we have a great culture! It's a pretty good place to work!
Top Shop Challenge: What are a couple of things you'd like to highlight that happened last month?
This month we celebrated the retirement of one of our longest-serving employees. This is the second retirement this year, the other one being our service manager who retired in March after serving here for 47 years. The photo shows our former service manager, Ben (retired in March), Richard (retired this month), and Dick Bascom (owner).
Top Shop Challenge: What is a goal for 2024 that your shop has as it relates to employing technicians?
At the end of December our longest-serving night tech will be retiring - after about 44 years here! We will miss him and his skills. In 2024 we are looking to add more techs, specifically to our night shift and mobile service. Our night shift is perfect for the person who likes a long weekend every weekend because it runs Monday- Thursday, four 10-hour days. It's also good for someone who might be driving into Des Moines from further away since they can commute only four days per week instead of five. We continue to offer great benefits, and strive to be the best shop to work for.