Division Title:
Motor Coach Maintenance
Division Location:
- Anchorage
- Fairbanks
- Denali Park
- Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge
Number of Employees:
10 Full time mechanics & 6 Seasonal mechanics, 22 Fleet Detailers
Housing Type:
Varies by location
Typical Season:
May 1 – Sept 20
Types of Jobs:
- Full Time Mechanics
- Seasonal Mechanics
- Outside Cleaners
Locations & Shop Descriptions
The Holland America-Princess Motor Coach shops are located along the rail belt in Anchorage and Fairbanks with the McKinley shop and Denali shops trisecting the highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The Anchorage shop is situated on the south western edge of Anchorage and is home to 40 motor coaches, 10 medium duty trucks for baggage transportation and a fleet of 30 light service and support vehicles. The Anchorage shop is a year around operation with five indoor bays and one exterior wash pad. The shop is equipped with drive on and four post lifts suitable for the motor coaches. The shop is also tooled with the equipment necessary to troubleshoot the fleets.
The McKinley shop is situated approximately 40 air miles for the summit of Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain, and is one third of the way between anchorage and Fairbanks. The motor coach shop is located on the campus of the McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge and services 20 motor coaches, one medium duty baggage truck and a fleet of 25 service vehicles. This facility is located on the road system three hours north of Anchorage and is open seasonally with the full time mechanics relocating to Fairbanks for the winter.
The Denali shop is located just north of the entrance to Mount McKinley National park. This shop is adjacent to the Denali Princess Wilderness lodge. Denali houses three motor coaches, ten Thomasbuilt buses, one medium duty baggage truck and 25 service vehicles. Denali is located about two hours south of Fairbanks. Like the McKinley shop the Denali shop is open seasonally and the full-time mechanics relocate to Fairbanks for the winter.
The Fairbanks shop is also a year round shop and is responsible for a fleet of 40 coaches, 5 medium duty baggage trucks and 15 light duty service and support vehicles. The Fairbanks shop is equipped with two drive on lifts and a four post lift. The shop is also equipped with the diagnostic tools needed to maintain the fleet.
Equipment Descriptions
The motor coach fleet is comprised of MCI and Van Hool coaches. The medium duty trucks are Internationals and Freightliners. The coaches and trucks are powered by Detroit 60 series, Caterpillar C13’s and Cummins ISM’s. The transmissions are either Allison Automatics or ZF Astronic Manuals. Holland America-Princess maintains all of the vehicles above and beyond the manufactures standards. A rigorous Preventive Maintenance program has been develop by Holland America-Princess and is the foundation of vehicle dependability and safety. All of our coaches are equipped with many amenities that help enhance the guest experience while traveling through Alaska.
Our service and support vehicle fleet is comprised of newer model Ford, Chevrolets and Toyotas and receives the same Preventive maintenance attention as our Motor Coach fleet.
Job Descriptions
Full Time Mechanic: Performs a variety of maintenance tasks. Routinely, performs preventive and repair maintenance. Maintains maintenance facilities and areas according to established company standards. Performs equipment inspections,determines appropriate action, and performs work.
Seasonal Mechanic: Performs a variety of routine maintenance tasks. Assists with inspections and performs maintenance repairs. Cleans and maintains maintenance facilities and areas according to established Company standards. Performs equipment inspections, determines and performs appropriate action.
Seasonal Fleet Detailer: Responsible for maintaining the exterior appearance of the Motor Caches and service vehicles. Fleet detailer may be responsible for vehicle refueling and inspection of basic fluids and equipment. Work is preformed outdoors in all weather working form motorized lifts.
Division Specific
Work schedules may vary by location, maintenance employees can expect to work at least 40 hours per week. Overtime may be required as individual needs or situations arise. More information is available at the local level. During the summer season, maintenance staff will work a five day work week, eight hours per day. During the winter months most shops work a four day, ten hours per day schedule.
Staff in Anchorage and Fairbanks is responsible for their own housing arrangements. Apartments are generally available in both locations that are convenient and affordable. Applicants should check local news papers for more information and options. Full time and seasonal mechanics relocating to McKinley and Denali are provided with room and board for the duration of the summer season.
A seasonal completion bonus is paid at the end of the summer season. The bonus is ten percent of regular and overtime earnings for the season.
Upon successful completion of the terms of the employment agreement, an attractive discounted travel program may be available including cruises with Princess and Holland America Line. Land excursions like river rafting and horseback riding are available at a discounted price.
