Autobody Paint Prepper/Shop Helper

Shop Assistant | Work Alongside Our Paint & Body Teams! Start Your Career in Collision Repair | Paid Training & Room to Grow Looking to get your foot in the door of the collision repair industry? Want to learn a skilled trade and build a career—not just find another job? VIVE Collision is looking for a motivated, dependable, and hardworking Shop Assistant / Paint Prepper / Auto Body Technician Apprentice to join our team.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is hands-on, eager to learn, takes pride in their work, and wants to build a long-term career in automotive repair. Whether you're just starting out, recently graduated from a collision repair program, or have some shop experience, we'll provide the training and support to help you grow.

What We Offer

Many of our Paint Preppers advance into Painter positions. Paid Training & Certifications: Expand your skills while getting paid. Modern Equipment & Technology: Work with state-of-the-art paint and prepping equipment. Competitive Pay: Compensation based on experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance options. Employer-Paid Life Insurance: $50,000 policy. 401(k) with Employer Match Paid Time Off & 8 Paid Holidays: Including Black Friday, plus your birthday as a floating holiday. Supportive Team Environment: Work alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about collision repair.

The specific pay rate or salary offered may vary based on experience, education, specialized OEM certifications, and job location.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare vehicles and replacement parts for refinishing sanding, cleaning, masking, and removing oils, debris, contaminants, and surface imperfections. Mask and protect vehicle components that should not receive paint during the refinishing process. Assist Paint Technicians with paint preparation and refinishing activities as needed.

Apply primers and prepare repaired surfaces for paint application in accordance with company and OEM standards. Buff, polish, and clean painted surfaces after refinishing to achieve a high-quality finish. Inspect completed work and identify defects requiring correction before vehicle delivery. Perform minor finishing corrections as directed by the Paint Technician.

Request paint materials, supplies, and consumables necessary to complete repairs efficiently. Maintain paint preparation equipment, tools, and work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition. Follow all company policies, OEM repair procedures, and federal, state, local, and company safety regulations. Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators, while performing refinishing operations.

Participate in ongoing training to develop technical skills and industry knowledge. Work collaboratively with Paint Technicians, Body Technicians, and production staff to meet repair deadlines. When applicable, safely move and relocate vehicles in and out of the paint area and throughout the facility and lot to support the repair and refinishing process and maintain an efficient workflow.

Perform other duties as assigned to support shop operations.

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age. Previous experience as a Paint Prep Technician or in an automotive collision repair environment preferred. High school diploma, GED, or Auto Body Vocational/Technical certification preferred but not required. Basic knowledge of automotive paint preparation and refinishing processes preferred.

Ability to read and interpret repair orders, work instructions, and written estimates. Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship. Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment. Must be able to wear a respirator and other required personal protective equipment.

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record. Physical Requirements Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and pull as needed. Ability to work for extended periods in kneeling, bending, and squatting positions. Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 80 pounds. Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate equipment and complete assigned tasks.

Ability to perform repetitive motions in a physically active work environment. Your Future Starts Here At VIVE Collision, we believe in investing in our people and helping them build rewarding careers. Whether you're an experienced Paint Prepper or looking to take the next step in your automotive career, you'll have the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop your skills alongside a supportive team.

VIVE Collision is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.