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First Student Driver Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Take the Wheel and Drive Your Career Forward At First Student, our technicians do more than repair buses. They help protect students, support drivers, serve local schools, and keep the community ...

Take the Wheel and Drive Your Career Forward At First Student, our technicians do more than repair buses. They help protect students, support drivers, serve local schools, and keep the community ...

Take the Wheel and Drive Your Career Forward At First Student, our technicians do more than repair buses. They help protect students, support drivers, serve local schools, and keep the community ...

P roudly serving New Britain Public Schools As a First Student Part Time School Van Driver you will play a vital role in your community and the lives of the students you transport. You will be there ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * $30 - $36 per hour after ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details Depending on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

First Student provides paid training, support, and guidance to help you become a safe and professional school bus driver. School Bus Driver Benefits Pay Details * Hourly Rate: $27.11 per hour after ...

Diesel Technician

New Haven, CT · On-site

$38.13/hr

At First Student, our technicians play a critical role in ensuring students arrive safely to and ... Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing * Annual boot allowance * Annual prescription ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * $29 per hour after training ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

School Bus Driver

Pawcatuck, CT · On-site

$26.50/hr

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details: Dependent on ...

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * Pay Details Depending on ...

School Bus Driver

Stamford, CT · On-site

$16.94/hr

We are here to help you succeed with expert training and guidance to help you become a safe and professional First Student school bus driver. School Bus Driver benefits: * $127 - $166 per day ...

... CDL (don't worry, we will train you for this!) * You have a mechanic's tool set * You want to grow, learn, and develop your skillset through ASE testing For our Mechanic roles, First Student ...

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First Student Driver information

See Connecticut salary details

$14

$20

$37

How much do first student driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for first student driver in Connecticut is $20.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $20.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by new First Student Drivers, and how can they be overcome?

New First Student Drivers often face challenges such as managing large vehicles in busy traffic and maintaining student discipline during routes. To overcome these, drivers receive thorough training in vehicle operation, route navigation, and student management techniques. Support from experienced drivers, supervisors, and ongoing safety meetings also help new drivers build confidence and handle issues effectively. Staying proactive about communication with dispatch and practicing regular self-assessment can further ease the transition into the role.

What is a First Student Driver?

A First Student Driver is a professional bus driver employed by First Student, a major provider of school transportation services in North America. These drivers are responsible for safely transporting students to and from school, field trips, and other activities. They must maintain a high standard of safety, follow specific routes and schedules, and ensure the well-being of all passengers on board. First Student provides comprehensive training and support to help drivers meet licensing and safety requirements.

What is the difference between First Student Driver vs School Bus Driver?

AspectFirst Student DriverSchool Bus Driver
Required CredentialsCommercial Driver's License (CDL), passenger endorsementCDL with passenger endorsement, background check
Work EnvironmentSchool campuses, bus routes, transportation hubsSchool zones, residential areas, bus stops
Employer & Industry UsageFirst Student, school transportation servicesSchool districts, private transportation companies

Both First Student Drivers and School Bus Drivers require a CDL with passenger endorsement and work in school transportation environments. The main difference lies in branding and employer, with First Student Drivers working specifically for First Student, a major school transportation provider, while School Bus Drivers may work for various school districts or private companies. Both roles focus on safely transporting students to and from school.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a First Student Driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a First Student Driver, you need a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) with appropriate endorsements, a clean driving record, and knowledge of safe driving practices. Familiarity with vehicle inspection protocols, basic maintenance, and the use of GPS or routing systems is typically required. Strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to manage student behavior are important soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure student safety, maintain schedule reliability, and foster a positive environment during transportation.
Infographic showing various First Student Driver job openings in Connecticut as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 45% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,964 per year, or $20.2 per hour.
Diesel Technician

Diesel Technician

First Student

East Hartford, CT • On-site

$31/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


First Student rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 315 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 75 rated education support services


Job description

Diesel Technician

Location: East Hartford, CT - Serving CREC Schools
Schedule: Monday - Friday | Full-Time Day Shift
Pay: $31.00 per hour, as set by the union contract
Additional Pay: Up to $2.00 per hour more for qualifying ASE School Bus Series certifications

Keep Buses Moving. Keep Students Safe. Build Your Career with First Student.

First Student is now hiring a Diesel Technician for our shop serving CREC Schools in East Hartford, CT.

If you enjoy solving problems, working with your hands, and being the person others count on to keep things running, this is a great opportunity to put your skills to work in a role that truly matters. Every safe, reliable bus on the road starts with a technician who pays attention to the details, takes pride in their craft, and understands the importance of keeping students moving safely.

As a Diesel Technician, you will help maintain and repair school buses that families, students, drivers, and school communities rely on every day. This is a hands-on, steady, Monday-Friday role where your mechanical skills directly support safety, reliability, and peace of mind.

While First Student is North America's leading school transportation provider, our East Hartford team offers a local, close-knit shop environment where safety, teamwork, and pride in the work come first.

Why Join First Student?
  • $31.00 per hour, as set by the union contract
  • Hourly position - not flat rate
  • Monday - Friday day shift
  • Consistent, year-round work
  • Bonus rate increase available for each ASE School Bus Series test passed and maintained, up to $2.00 per hour more
  • Company-paid ASE testing
  • Company-paid ASE training materials
  • Company-paid CDL Class B training and licensing
  • Medical benefits
  • Dental benefits
  • Vision benefits
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • Paid holidays
  • Paid vacation time
  • Annual boot allowance
  • Annual prescription safety glasses allowance
  • Employee Assistance Program for counseling and support services
  • Discounts on cell phone plans, vehicles, electronics, and more through PerkSpot
  • Career advancement opportunities across more than 540 First Student locations in the U.S. and Canada
What You'll Do

As a Diesel Technician, you will help keep our fleet safe, reliable, and ready for the road. You will perform inspections, preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs that support safe transportation for students and dependable service for our school partners.

Responsibilities include:

  • Ensure vehicles are maintained and safe for passengers
  • Diagnose and perform vehicle maintenance and repairs
  • Repair and inspect brakes and brake systems
  • Perform engine tune-ups
  • Repair suspensions, drivetrains, transmission clutches, and related systems
  • Complete preventive maintenance inspections
  • Complete safety inspections and annual maintenance inspections
  • Complete work orders accurately and on time
  • Assist with mobile emergency repair services when needed
  • Support a clean, safe, organized, and efficient shop environment
What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, mechanically skilled, and ready to be part of a team that takes safety seriously. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys diagnostics, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and knowing their work has a direct impact on the community.

Diesel Technician Requirements
  • At least 1 year of diesel or automotive maintenance and repair experience, or equivalent technical school education and experience
  • Vehicle diagnostic and problem-solving skills
  • Valid driver's license required
  • CDL Class B, or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment
  • Possession of a mechanic's tool set to complete assigned duties
  • Willingness to participate in the ASE certification program
  • Strong computer skills
  • Ability to work safely and follow maintenance procedures
  • Subject to DOT drug testing and physical. DOT Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason.
Take the Wheel and Drive Your Career Forward

At First Student, our technicians do more than repair buses. They help protect students, support drivers, serve local schools, and keep the community moving.

If you are ready for steady hours, great support, career growth, and a role where your work truly matters, apply today to join our East Hartford maintenance team.


First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.


In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia's Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

Company Description

About us
An industry leader famous for our yellow school buses and service and safety excellence, we’ve provided student transportation services to schools for over 100 years. Continually investing in the services of the future, we’re proud to be part of FirstGroup America – the largest provider of safe, reliable and sustainable surface passenger transportation services in North America.
Industry leader
We safely operate more than one third of all contracted school buses in North America.
Together our 50,000 school buses travel nearly 600 million miles per year — the equivalent of 1,200 round trips to the moon.
We operate in around 550 locations throughout 38 U.S. states and 8 Canadian provinces.
Innovation
We were the first school bus company to utilize global positioning systems (GPS), so at any one time we know where all of our buses are and how fast they’re travelling.
Passionate about safety, we’ve installed Safety Crossing Gates on the front of all of our school buses and use the Child Check-MateTM electronic reminder system to make sure no sleeping children remain inside a bus at the end of each route.
Awards & recognition
We won the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award from the National Safety Council two years in a row.
Dedicated to safety, FirstGroup received the National Safety Council’s (NSC) Green Cross for Safety Medal - the highest award for safety in North America.
Teamwork and trust
It takes a diverse team of skilled professionals to provide a safe, effective and efficient student transportation system. From our school bus drivers and location managers to routers, dispatchers and fleet technician mechanics, the work we do every day makes a big impact on the daily lives of students, parents, local communities and school district partners.
We’re very proud of our elite team of over 55,000 dedicated, caring and diverse professionals. And they are the #1 reason we’re trusted by over 1,400 school districts - more than any other provider. Everybody here plays their part in creating a positive school bus experience.
Our culture
We live and breathe our vision and values. They are embedded in our culture and drive our commitment to our customers and communities. Our culture fosters growth and promotes respect, reliability, responsibility and safety. And we recruit people who share these values and will work together to build strong and trusting partnerships in the communities we serve.
Safety – Although our safety record is twice as safe as the industry average, we continually seek out opportunities to enhance our operational and safety initiatives.
Learning – Through our learning culture that spans over 550 locations, we receive and share insight from our people to enhance our service now and in the future.
Making a difference - By doing our job well, we make a positive impact on many lives – including the millions of students who travel with us every school day.
Careers for all – We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer and an Employer of Choice.
By consistently encouraging and supporting an open dialogue with our people and partners, we’re able to share new ideas and develop new ways to meet the needs of our customers and passengers. At First Student, you’ll feel empowered to serve your community. So join the team and start to make a difference.

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