Photos
Under The Hood
Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?
Yes, we have waste oil heaters and electric garage doors with remotes for each tech. (no more getting out to open the doors in bad weather)
What is the size of the team I’d be working with?
Our team consists of 1 owner, 2 Awesome Service Advisors, 1 Service Manager, 1 Parts Manager (Also backs up the SA's), 5 Technicians, 1 support staff, and 1 Incredible Office Manager/HR person.
What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?
Shop hours - Monday thru Friday 8:00 to 5:30, Technicians work 8:00 to 5:00
What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?
We provide tech workstations with a large toolbox, computer, and tablet. There are 3 diagnostic roll-around workstations stocked with Pico scope w/In Cylinder Pressure transducers, Automotive Test Solutions E-Scope, NVH, Engine Pressure & Vibration Analysis tools. 2 Borescopes, 3 Autologic tools, I-Scan 3, ATS E-Scan, Snap-On Zeus, Autel. All special tools/equipment needed for any job we do. Hunter Hawkeye Elite alignment system, Flush mount Hunter scissor lift w/LED's and auto turn plates. Hunter Auto 34 tire machine and Road Force balancer.
What type of break room facility is provided?
We have a well-equipped break room with a full kitchen! We stock it with various free snacks and water. We also stock it with sodas for 25 cents.
How many bays does your shop have?
We have 10 bays, 7 with Rotary In-Ground lifts, 2 with Rotary above-ground lifts, and 1 Hunter flush mount Alignment lift. We are in the process of adding another 2 bays with ADAS calibration as well.
How many repair orders do you average per month?
We average 290 R.O's with an Avg. of $850 per R.O.
What is your parts ordering process?
Techs fill out a "parts req" form and turn it in with the R.O. Service advisors look up parts and labors, confirm labor times with the tech, then order parts after customer approval. We also have a Parts manager who will assist with parts look-up and maintaining inventory. We have a large inventory, so techs don't have to wait for parts very often. We often will pre-order parts as well.
What is your policy on side work?
We allow staff to use the shop for personal vehicles with prior notice only due to insurance. All staff pays the cost for parts only (no mark-up)
Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?
We keep the facility very clean at all times. We have a very comfortable training room with surround sound and a 65" 4K TV for webinars and just for fun! We have a summertime festival for our local Food Bank with live bands, local Brewers, and barbeque. We also have a Christmas Party and buy lunch for Birthdays (for the whole staff) and have team building outing from time to time!
Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?
We offer continuous training opportunities. We have subscriptions to several online training sites, and each Technician and Service Advisor is given a subscription to Automotive Video Inc (AVI) with some of the best online training available. We will also attend in-person training that we feel is important.
Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?
With our commitment to training and evolving our services to serve our community better, there is ample opportunity to advance your career to the highest levels.
Can you describe your performance review process?
We track technician time among many other metrics and regularly go over findings in meetings and one on one.
What type of safety training is required?
Every employee must complete a safety training course to comply with OSHA/EPA guidelines. It will be completed in-house on the first day of work.
Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?
New technicians are paired with a senior technician to make sure they know how things are done, where tools and supplies are, and generally speed up the learning curve for a new Technician.
How does your shop get involved with the local community?
Yearly we host a summer open house and festival with live bands and BBQ to raise money for our local Food Bank.
Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?
Not as of yet, but we have plans to in the future.
Where do you see the shop in five years?
We are expanding our Hybrid service to include EV service. We are also adding 2 new bays and an ADAS center for alignments w/calibrations to service the local collision centers and shops.
Do you have an application form and how long does it typically take to complete?
Yes, on our website. Depending on how much information you put in, should only take 15-20 minutes.
Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?
Yes, we do an initial phone screening to determine if the applicant has the qualifications required for the position available. It's also an opportunity for the applicant to see if we are a good fit for them as well.
What do your in-person interviews entail?
We hire as a team at Silverdale Autoworks and culture is a big factor for us. Applicants would first meet with the owner (Bob) to talk in detail about the position. If after that we both want to proceed, the applicant would then get to spend some time with the Service Manager and Service Advisors so they can get an idea of who the applicant is and what talents they bring with them. It's also an opportunity for the applicant to ask the Service Advisors questions about our processes and workflow and how they can benefit them as technicians. Then the applicant would meet the Technicians so they can each get a feel for the other and ask any questions they would like. We can also do a Zoom meeting online for applicants that do not live in the area!
Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?
We always do a background check and sometimes a personality test depending on the situation. The background check only takes 2-3 days.
Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?
Conditional to the situation.
After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?
Typically within 2-3 days.
Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?
Typically within a week.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your hiring process?
N/A
A Level Technician
A Level Technicians are highly skilled technicians that have strengths in their diagnostic and mechanical ability. This level of technician typically has many years of experience and education. We view an A Level Technician as the highest skilled technician in a shop
Pay Range: $80,000 - $125,000/year
($38.46 - $60.10/hr)
Flat rate or Hybrid with produced hour bonus. Bonus starts @ 41 hours and every 5 hours after and applies retroactively to all billed hours. We also have a team bonus for total shop hours billed.
B Level Technician
B Level Technicians are skilled in mechanical repair and, while not their specialty, have some diagnostic skills. B Level Technicians generally have a fair amount of experience and can be trusted to handle most repairs.
Pay Range: $60,000 - $80,000/year
($28.85 - $38.46/hr)
Flat rate or Hybrid with produced hour bonus. Bonus starts @ 41 hours and every 5 hours after and applies to all billed hours. We also have a team bonus for total shop hours billed.
- Health Insurance Offered
- Silverdale Autoworks has Kaiser Permanente Visits Plus Gold and pays 100% for the employee. Supplemental plans are available as well.
- Dental Insurance Offered
- Our Dental plan is grouped with the health care plan.
- Vision Insurance Offered
- Vision is also grouped with our health care plan.
- Retirement Plan Offered
- We have an IRA "Simple" plan that starts the first of the month following 1-year employment/ accrued $6000 in the prior year. It allows you to contribute a portion of your pre-tax compensation to a tax-deferred retirement plan. Company matching is also available up to 3%
- Sick Leave Offered
- An employee accrues 1 Hour of Paid Sick leave for every 40 hours worked at the employee’s normal hourly compensation. Employees are entitled to use PSL beginning 90 days after employment. 40 hours or less can be carried over yearly. PSL accrues January – December.
- Vacation Offered
- Available after 60 days based on accrual. 0-2 years: 40 hours available per year 3-6 years: 80 hours available per year 7+ years: 120 hours available per year
- Paid Holidays Offered
- Employees are eligible for holiday pay starting the first of the month following 90 days of employment. We have 6 paid holidays per year. Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day.
- ST / LT Disability Offered
- Colonial Supplemental Insurance is available on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Gives you the option to receive cash benefits for unexpected medical and other expenses that may not be fully covered by your major medical insurance. This is offered at an additional cost to the employee.
- Life Insurance Offered
- Life Insurance is available through Colonial Supplemental Insurance at additional cost.
- Uniforms Offered
- We provide all uniforms as well as jackets and logoed T-shirts
- Other Offered
- We buy lunch for employees' birthdays and work anniversaries. We also have team-building activities and outings periodically throughout the year. Silverdale Autoworks employees get free enrollment to the YMCA. We also pay for employees' yearly Costco membeship.
