Position Summary

The Collision Repair Shop Assistant supports efficient operations in the repair facility by maintaining organization, performing general cleaning, and supporting tasks assisting with parts and yard management. This role ensures technicians and supervisors can focus on repairs by handling staging, vehicle movement, inventory support, and shop upkeep. As an extra set of hands in the shop, the Shop Assistant ensures everything runs efficiently and safely. This role supports daily productivity and provides a launchpad into career paths like parts coordinator becoming a technician.

This position is located at the Penske facility located at 333 Colfax Street in Rochester, NY. Responsibilities:Parts & Inventory Support

• Serve as an extra set of hands for parts handling — unpacking, sorting, and moving parts to the appropriate work areas while maintaining safety and order.
• Help with returns and packaging cleanup, including breaking down boxes, consolidating materials, and preparing items for pick-up or recycling.
• Maintain organization of the parts room, rivets, seals, and other shop stock.
• Stage next units for repair by ensuring required parts and vehicles are ready, minimizing technician downtime.

Yard & Vehicle Management

• Safely move vehicles in and out of the yard, body shop, and paint staging areas.
• Organize yard to prevent blocked vehicles and prepare for upcoming repairs.
• Transport units, including occasional non-CDL offsite pickups or deliveries.

Cleaning & Shop Support

• Offer an extra set of hands across the shop — jumping in where needed to keep operations running smoothly and safely.
• Perform daily cleaning of floors, tools, and work areas to maintain a clean, organized environment.
• Handle trash, scrap, and bulk material disposal safely, including breaking down and disposing of large boxes, crates, and pallets.
• Support special projects such as organizing the tool room, cleaning storage areas, or assisting with light equipment adjustments.
• Assist with vehicle washing or detailing when requested.

Use of Equipment & Safety

• Safely operate forklifts, carts, and man lifts as certified.
• Assist with tire changes or basic shop tasks when needed.
• Follow OSHA and company safety standards, including PPE use and reporting hazards.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with parts coordinators, estimators, supervisors, technicians, and painters.
• Communicate clearly about task completion, parts status, or safety concerns.
• Support shop flow by staying proactive, assisting coworkers, and completing tasks with minimal supervision.
• Other projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications:• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Forklift certification a plus (training provided onsite).
• Prior shop, warehouse, or automotive experience preferred but not required.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask required.
• Must be reliable and willing to learn and contribute.
• Demonstrates teamwork, initiative, and readiness to grow into additional technical skills over time.
• The associate will be required to understand and comply with specific instructions, guidelines, rules, regulations, or other information established by Penske management• The associate must be able to perform all work adhering to DOT, OSHA, and all Penske safety and maintenance policies; including but not limited to the correct selection and use of appropriate tools, PPE, machine guarding, and established best safety practice.
• Physical ability to regularly lift 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work indoors/outdoors in varying conditions.
• Regular, predictable, full attendance is an essential function of the job• Willingness to travel as necessary, work the required schedule, work at the specific location required, complete Penske employment application, submit to a background investigation (to include past employment, education, and criminal history) and drug screening are required.
• As this position requires driving Penske and customer vehicles, it is regulated by the DOT and requires a current driver qualification file to be maintained as required by the role. The driver qualification file includes: an annual motor vehicle records (MVR) check, a successfully completed DOT Physical, and Safety Performance History records request from prior employers in the last 3 years. Additionally, CDL holders will have a DOT Drug Screening within 30 days of start and subject to a FMCSA Clearinghouse review. This position is regulated by the Department of Transportation or designated as safety sensitive by the company, and the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner is required. Associates must have the ability to accept responsibility for their own safety, as well as the safety of others. Whether it’s on the racetrack or in the body shop, our people love working here. Our supportive team culture will make you feel like you’re not just getting a job but joining a family. So, it’s time to do what you love, love what you do.
  Physical Requirements: The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate will be required to move frequently, stand, walk, climb, bend, and sit for extended length of time throughout their scheduled working period.
• The associate is required to use their hands on a routine and daily basis to grasp, reach, touch, handle, feel, and/or otherwise operate required tools or controls.
• The associate must be able to work safely at heights using applicable ladders and elevated working platforms.
• The associate must be able to safely work in all weather conditions.
• Given the frequent movement of large trucks through the workplace, the associate must be able to see and hear in order to safely navigate the work environment.
• The associate must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50lbs/23kg and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100lbs/45kg. This position also requires the ability to push/pull truck tires on a regular basis that exceed 100 pounds.Pay: $21-$23 per hour
  Benefits: Our excellent benefits plan keep associates and their families happy, healthy and secure. To learn more visit https://penske.jobs/benefits/

Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.