Fairfax County’s Department of Vehicle Services was recognized by Government Fleet magazine and the American Public Works Association as the 15th Leading Fleet for 2018 out of more than 3,000 government level fleets. DVS Director Mark Moffatt accepted the award at The Honors Celebration during the Government Fleet Expo and Conference in San Diego, Calif., last month. 

The award recognizes operations that are performing at a high level, particularly in fleet leadership, competitiveness and efficiency, planning for the future and overcoming challenges. The 50 Leading Fleets represent the best in the industry. The Department of Vehicle Services provides fleet management and maintenance services for the county's and Fairfax County Public Schools’ vehicle fleets of 6,211 vehicles, including 1,625 school buses.

DVS’s four maintenance facilities — Alban, Jermantown, Newington and West Ox — have been awarded the Blue Seal of Excellence by meeting standards established by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. DVS currently has 176 technicians who have earned at least one ASE, 32 employees with at least one master ASE and eight employees with three or more master ASEs. In addition, all technicians who service motor vehicle air conditioners and the team that purchases and supplies stock have completed the ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program. “The professional certifications give our customers confidence and trust that their vehicles and equipment are being maintained and repaired properly, the first time,” says Moffatt.

DVS established a student internship program to train the next generation of technicians and parts specialists and developed new position classifications to hire graduates after high school. Seven students from three different schools participated in the fall and eight students from five different schools participated in the spring. Two interns have been offered full-time positions with DVS.  “This cultivates a stream of talented, young professionals that will carry the department forward,” points out Moffatt.