James E. Fulton & Sons - Technician Jobs in Kalamazoo, MI

About Us

We are a family owned excavation company with 50 years of experience. Our doors opened in 1972 and we have been servicing the community ever since. Our focus is typically on commercial and industrial site development. We handle site development, underground utilities, finish grading and everything in between! We also maintain a fleet of commercial vehicles and equipment that are used on our dirt work projects as well as commercial trucks for over the road contracting.

Photos

  • F550 for equipment mobilization and aggregate hauling.
  • One of our Kenworth tractors with East train.
  • 262 Cat skid steer. One of our tire machines, used for snow removal and in the field.
  • Company service truck inside of our tire bay.
  • One of our operators loading a 10 yard Kenworth in a 310 Cat excavator.
  • Our office
  • The exterior of our old shop. This space will become our field equipment storage once the new shop is completed.
  • One of our John Deere 644J loaders.
  • A few of our excavators and dozers lined up during the offseason.
  • One of our crews on a pipe installation that had to be completed during the night.

Under The Hood

Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?

Our shop is heated during the colder months. We have a system of ventilation and exhaust fans for the warmer months.

What is the size of the team I’d be working with?

We currently staff one full time diesel mechanic and two maintenance/service techs. You will also on occasion coordinate and work closely with our foremen in order to perform maintenance and repairs in the field.

What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?

We run one shift. Shop personnel arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, and their day typically wraps up between 4:00-5:00 PM.

What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?

A basic tool box is made available for all mechanics to work out of in both our shop and service truck. We provide any specialty tools that may be required to perform tasks specific to our industry. Personnel are encouraged to bring in their own tool boxes if they so choose.

What type of break room facility is provided?

Break rooms and restrooms are provided in the shop area. Microwaves for heating food and coffee pots are available for shop employees.

How many bays does your shop have?

Our new shop is equipped with four bays and it will be attached via a ramped service door to our maintenance shop where we have another bay set up for tire changes and a fifth and final wash-bay with heated floors and heated power washing unit.

How many repair orders do you average per month?

Repair orders vary from month to month. Typically we have 4-5 moderate to major repair projects a month and many smaller repairs (services, brakes, exhaust repairs, sensor replacements).

What is your parts ordering process?

Major purchases are approved by foreman or owner. Many parts, fluids and necessary components are kept in-stock and automatically ordered by salesmen or the shop foreman.

What is your policy on side work?

We have no policy preventing mechanics from performing side work in their own free time.

Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?

Our new shop is outfitted with full length crane systems and mobile, blue-tooth enabled, independent post vehicle lifts.

Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?

Continuing education and skills training are encouraged.

Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?

We strive to foster an environment of growth and development. Our goal is to promote from within whenever possible. Individuals who show initiative and work hard are readily moved up in pay and responsibility.

Can you describe your performance review process?

The first performance review is carried out by the President at the employees 90 day mark.

What type of safety training is required?

We put an emphasis on safety and team work. Shop orientation, OJT training for equipment tools and in-person and/or online training takes place on a regular basis. Safety training including first aid and CPR is performed annually for all employees. Various safety trainings and continuing education courses are required to be on certain sites or to work on certain equipment. We strive to ensure all employees are trained properly and given the tools to succeed in a safe and effective manner.

Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?

Senior mechanics/technicians are encouraged to work closely with junior mechanics/technicians to help develop their skills and abilities. Ample opportunity is provided for cross training and mentorship.

How does your shop get involved with the local community?

Our company has been involved with numerous community outreach and fundraising programs. We feel it is integral to give back to the community we live and work in whenever possible.

Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?

We are currently in the process of developing an internship program with local community colleges to offer real world, hands on learning experiences to individuals enrolled in diesel and automotive programs.

Where do you see the shop in five years?

We want to continue to fine tune our shop and maintenance operations to meet the growing needs of our company.

Do you have an application form and how long does it typically take to complete?

We have application forms on our website as well as in our office. The forms are simple to understand and typically take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?

You will typically receive a quick phone call from your interviewer to set up the in-person interview and get some more basic information if it is needed.

What do your in-person interviews entail?

In person interviews are typically had with the President/owner. They involve going over work history, your individual goals, a little bit more on the company and often a short tour of the shop to show where you would potentially be working.

Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?

We perform motor vehicle record checks through the State of Michigan and all candidates are required to perform a pre-employment drug screening.

Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?

No skills assessment is required before an individual is hired.

After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?

We do not like to leave candidates hanging. After an in-person interview you will be given an answer within 2-3 business days.

Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?

Timelines are largely depended on the candidates availability to interview for the position. Typically we can complete the hiring process in 1-2 days, and new employees are able to start anytime after the onboarding process is complete.

Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic Pay Range: $52,000 - $69,000/year ($25.00 - $33.17/hr)

This position is paid hourly with regular opportunities for overtime if needed by the company or desired.

Health Insurance Offered
We offer health insurance with three different plan types to suit your individual or family needs. Eligibility to enroll in health insurance after 90 days.
Dental Insurance Offered
We offer dental insurance for individuals or families. Eligibility to enroll in dental insurance after 90 days.
Vision Insurance Not Offered
Retirement Plan Offered
We offer 401k with a 4% match after one year closest to the quarter of your hire date.
Sick Leave Not Offered
Vacation Offered
Employees are eligible for up to 10 days of paid vacation time.
Paid Holidays Offered
We offer 6 official paid Holidays guaranteed, with the potential for 2-3 more depending on where the Holidays fall during the week for that calendar year.
ST / LT Disability Not Offered
Life Insurance Not Offered
Uniforms Offered
Employees are provided with t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts and quarter-zips which all feature the company logo. Additionally, mechanics and service technicians are provided coveralls and/or pants that are cleaned by a third party service for use in the shop and on service calls.
Other Not Offered

Shop Talk

Hear why we are the BEST place to work!

Learn about a typical work schedule and our workflow at the shop

Staff member Tony discusses his training philosophy

Meet one of our awesome staff members, Tony