The demand for certified automotive service technicians on Long Island has never been higher - and the gap between open positions and qualified candidates continues to widen. For experienced technicians looking for a better opportunity, or career changers considering a move into the automotive trade, VIP Automotive Group is actively hiring across ten dealership locations on Long Island and in Northern New Jersey.
Bottom Line:
- VIP Automotive Group is hiring service technicians across 10 dealership locations spanning Long Island and Northern NJ
- Competitive pay, manufacturer certifications, medical/dental/401k benefits, and clear career growth paths
- Brand certification programs available: Subaru, Ford, Stellantis/Mopar, Volvo, GM, and Alfa Romeo
- Career progression from technician to service advisor, service manager, and beyond
Why the Demand for Technicians Is So High
The automotive industry is facing a well-documented technician shortage nationwide, and Long Island is no exception. Vehicles are more technologically complex than ever - hybrid systems, advanced driver-assistance features, turbo engines, and sophisticated electrical architectures all require trained professionals to diagnose and repair.
At the same time, the existing technician workforce is aging. Many experienced techs are approaching retirement, and the pipeline of new technicians entering the trade hasn’t kept pace. The result is a job market where qualified technicians have genuine leverage - and smart dealership groups are responding with better compensation, stronger benefits, and clearer career paths.
VIP Automotive Group operates ten dealership locations across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Bergen County, NJ. That scale means consistent work volume, diverse brand exposure, and the kind of stability that independent shops often can’t match.
What VIP Automotive Group Offers Technicians
Competitive Compensation
VIP Automotive Group offers pay structures designed to reward productivity and skill. Whether you’re a line technician building hours or a master-certified specialist handling complex diagnostics, the compensation reflects your capability. Pay is competitive with - and often exceeds - the Long Island and Northern NJ market averages for automotive technicians.
Manufacturer Certifications
This is where a multi-brand dealership group creates a unique advantage. VIP Automotive Group’s stores span six major automotive brands, which means technicians have access to certification paths that would require multiple employers elsewhere:
- Subaru - Subaru Certified Technician program through Grand Prix Subaru, South Shore Subaru, and Mid Hudson Subaru
- Ford - Ford Senior Master Technician and Ford Certified paths through Levittown Ford
- Stellantis/Mopar - Mopar Master Technician certification through Garden City Jeep CDJR and Merrick Jeep CDJR
- Volvo - Volvo Certified Technician program through Karp Volvo
- General Motors - GM World Class Technician path through Paramus Chevrolet
- Alfa Romeo - Alfa Romeo Certified Technician program through Westbury Alfa Romeo
Each certification path includes manufacturer-sponsored training, access to brand-specific diagnostic tools, and credentials that travel with you throughout your career. VIP Automotive Group covers training costs and provides paid time for certification coursework.
Benefits Package
Full-time service technicians at VIP Automotive Group locations receive a comprehensive benefits package:
- Medical insurance - coverage options for individuals and families
- Dental and vision - included in the benefits package
- 401(k) retirement plan - with employer contribution
- Paid time off - vacation days, sick time, and holidays
- Uniforms and tool allowances - reducing out-of-pocket costs
- Ongoing training - manufacturer courses, ASE prep support, and in-house mentoring
Modern Facilities and Equipment
VIP Automotive Group’s service departments are equipped with current-generation diagnostic tools, manufacturer-specific scan equipment, and properly maintained lifts and shop infrastructure. Working with the right tools matters - both for efficiency and for job satisfaction. Technicians shouldn’t have to fight their equipment to do their jobs well.
Career Growth: From Technician to Leadership
One of the most compelling reasons to join a dealership group rather than an independent shop is the career ladder. At VIP Automotive Group, the path from technician to leadership is well-defined and actively supported.
Typical career progression:
- Entry-Level / Apprentice Technician - Learn the fundamentals, work alongside experienced techs, begin ASE and manufacturer certification
- Line Technician - Handle a full range of maintenance and repair work independently
- Senior / Master Technician - Complex diagnostics, warranty work, mentoring junior techs
- Service Advisor - Transition to the customer-facing side, leveraging technical knowledge to build trust and manage service visits
- Service Manager - Oversee the entire service department - scheduling, staffing, customer satisfaction, and revenue
- Fixed Operations Director / General Manager - Several current VIP Automotive Group leaders started on the shop floor
This isn’t a theoretical path. It’s how dealership careers actually work - and a multi-store group provides more opportunities to move up because there are more positions available across locations.
Who Should Apply
Experienced Technicians
If you’re currently working at an independent shop or another dealership and you’re looking for better pay, stronger benefits, or a clearer path forward - VIP Automotive Group is worth a conversation. Your existing ASE certifications and experience translate directly. Many technicians who join from independent shops are surprised by the consistency of work flow and the access to manufacturer-level training and tooling.
Career Changers
The automotive trade is more accessible than many people realize. If you have mechanical aptitude - whether from military service, a trade school background, or hands-on experience in another field - the entry-level technician role is a viable starting point. VIP Automotive Group’s apprentice programs pair new technicians with experienced mentors, and the manufacturer certification programs provide structured learning paths.
The skilled trades are experiencing a resurgence for good reason. Technician roles offer competitive income without student debt, tangible daily accomplishments, and a career that can’t be outsourced or fully automated.
Recent Trade School and BOCES Graduates
If you’ve completed an automotive technology program - whether through a community college, trade school, or BOCES program on Long Island - VIP Automotive Group provides the natural next step. Real-world dealership experience accelerates your learning faster than any classroom, and manufacturer certifications begin building your long-term earning power immediately.
VIP Automotive Group - 10 Locations, 6 Brands, One Team
VIP Automotive Group operates dealerships across Long Island and Northern New Jersey, representing Subaru, Ford, Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge/Ram, Volvo, Chevrolet, and Alfa Romeo. Our service departments maintain thousands of vehicles each month - which means consistent work, diverse challenges, and a stable career for qualified technicians.
Work-Life Balance in the Dealership Environment
Dealership service departments operate on structured schedules - typically five-day work weeks with defined hours. While some Saturday availability is common in the industry, VIP Automotive Group works to maintain predictable scheduling so technicians can plan their lives outside the shop.
Compared to mobile mechanic work, roadside service, or fleet maintenance roles that involve unpredictable hours and travel, a dealership-based technician position offers the stability that makes Long Island’s cost of living manageable. You know your schedule, you know your location, and you know your income.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
A service technician at a VIP Automotive Group dealership handles a mix of scheduled maintenance and diagnostic work. A typical day might include:
- Multi-point inspections on vehicles in for routine service
- Brake and suspension work
- Engine and transmission diagnostics using manufacturer scan tools
- Software updates and recalls - increasingly common as vehicles become more connected
- Test drives to verify repairs and identify intermittent concerns
The variety keeps the work engaging. You’re not doing the same task eight hours a day - you’re solving different problems on different vehicles, using both mechanical skill and diagnostic reasoning.
How to Get Started
Visit our careers page to see current openings across all VIP Automotive Group locations. Applications are reviewed promptly, and qualified candidates are typically contacted within a few business days.
If you’re currently employed and exploring options discreetly, VIP Automotive Group treats all inquiries confidentially. A conversation about what’s available doesn’t obligate you to anything - it simply gives you the information to make the best decision for your career.
For technicians who want to understand what proper vehicle maintenance looks like from the owner’s side - and the kind of work you’d be performing daily - our guide on car maintenance schedules covers what gets serviced and when.
The technician shortage is real. The opportunity is now. Explore open positions at VIP Automotive Group →
Frequently Asked Questions
What certifications does VIP Automotive Group support?
VIP Automotive Group supports both ASE certification and manufacturer-specific certification programs across all six brands - Subaru, Ford, Stellantis/Mopar, Volvo, General Motors, and Alfa Romeo. Training costs are covered by the company, and paid time is provided for coursework and testing. Many technicians pursue multiple certifications over the course of their career with the group.
Do I need prior dealership experience to apply?
No. While dealership experience is valued, VIP Automotive Group also hires technicians from independent shop backgrounds, military vehicle maintenance roles, trade school programs, and other mechanical fields. What matters most is mechanical aptitude, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to quality work. Entry-level and apprentice positions are available for those earlier in their careers.
What brands will I work on?
That depends on which location you join. Each dealership services its specific brand - Subaru at Grand Prix Subaru, Ford at Levittown Ford, and so on. However, multi-brand experience is available for technicians who want to transfer between locations within the group over time. This is one of the advantages of working for a multi-store group rather than a single-point dealership.
Is there opportunity for overtime?
Yes. Service departments at VIP Automotive Group locations maintain strong work volume, and overtime is available for technicians who want it. The specifics vary by location and season - spring and fall tend to be the busiest periods for service - but the opportunity for additional hours is consistent.
What tools do I need to bring?
Technicians are expected to have their own basic hand tool set, which is standard in the industry. VIP Automotive Group provides all manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment, specialty tools, lifts, and shop equipment. A tool allowance is included in the benefits package to help offset the cost of maintaining and expanding your personal tool collection.
