Service Coordinator

Education and Training: Certificate or associate’s degree in Automotive technology required.
Average Salary: $47,000 per year
Job Outlook: Fair

Automotive service coordinators perform and oversee automobile repair and maintenance operations housed in repair shops and automotive dealerships. They are also responsible for virtually all operations of the business including personnel management, customer service, vendor relations, inventory control, budget, and marketing. Their main functions are to ensure repairs are being done efficiently, according to industry standards, in line with customer expectations, and that the business is making a profit. They spend much of their time ordering parts, working with vendors, managing employees, and speaking with customers.

Education and Training Requirements

Postsecondary training programs are very hands on as students spend the majority of their time learning automotive repair skills. They are also required to pass an internship experience where they spend several hours working in a real repair shop. Upon completion of their postsecondary training they typically become ASE certified.

Completion of an automotive training program combined with industry experience qualifies an individual for a job as a service coordinator. Most automotive technology programs are housed within community, career, technical, and trade colleges. Programs range in length from 1-2 years and confer certificates and two-year associate’s degrees. Ongoing training is required as part of the job.

Most service coordinators must be ASE certified which requires constant certification as standards change. Vehicles are constantly changing and becoming more sophisticated, which requires service coordinators to be knowledgeable of current technology and repair and diagnosis methods.

Getting the Job

Applicants must have the required experience and training to become service coordinators. Applicants must have sound customer relations skills, management skills, and be highly organized. Service coordinator positions are advertised through traditional mediums such as newspaper classified ads, job search websites, car magazines, trade publications, college career fairs, dealership websites, and social media websites.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Job prospects are expected to be fair as many existing automotive service coordinators are expected to retire. Job growth is affected by consumer confidence and spending. The automotive industry has fallen on hard times as consumers stopped purchasing vehicles causing major automakers to suffer major losses. As consumer spending on vehicles increases, jobs will be created to keep up with demand.

Most service coordinators start off as automotive technicians before moving into a managerial role. It is quite common for a service coordinator to stay in that position until retirement.

Working Conditions and Environment

Working conditions are hands-on and fast-paced. The service coordinator spends much of their shift on their feet multi-tasking. They often switch back and forth from speaking to customers, calling vendors, and managing their team of technicians. The job can be stressful during peak times of the day and seasonal peaks when people bring in their cars for winter and summer repairs. The environment can be dangerous as heavy equipment and vehicles are being worked on.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary for a service coordinator is $47,000 per year; salaries vary greatly depending on what kind of repairs are done, geographical location, and level of experience. Some service coordinators receive bonuses and incentives if sales goals are met.

Where to Go for More Information

Automotive Service Association
P.O. Box 929, Bedford, Texas 76095-0929
Physical Address: 1901 Airport Freeway
Bedford, Texas 76021
Toll Free: (800) 272-7467
http://www.asashop.org/

National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
101 Blue Seal Dr. SE, Ste. 101
Leesburg, VA 20175.
(703) 669-6650
http://www.natef.org

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
101 Blue Seal Dr. SE, Ste. 101
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 669-6650
http://www.asecert.org