HGV/LGV Vehicle Technician/Mechanic

You will be entitled to 29 days annual leave rising to 34 days after five years. You will also receive eight days Bank Holiday entitlement.

WMFS overview

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the second largest fire and rescue service in England serving an area of 902km square and a population of more than 2.9 million people.

Our vision is Making the West Midlands safer stronger and healthier.

This vision and the strategic goals outlined in Our Strategy are what drives the people professionalism and pride with which we serve our communities

The role and department

Our Transport Engineering Workshops in Perry Barr provide a mechanical and engineering support service to our fire stations across the West Midlands.

The departments primary responsibilities are the design purchase maintenance and repair of the services 136 emergency response vehicles and 144 support vehicles as well as the associated equipment required by a fire and rescue service such as ladders plant and rescue equipment totalling more than 2000 assets.

The team of vehicle technicians also provide a 24-hour emergency call-out service for our breakdowns and urgent repairs to ensure the continued availability of frontline fire appliances and equipment in responding to emergency incidents.

The Vehicle Technician role is responsible for day-to-day servicing predictive and preventative maintenance and repairs to our vehicles plant and equipment to ensure these remain safe and

operational. Maintaining a safe and clean work station the successful candidate will possess the competence to diagnose faults in mechanical and electrical systems to determine the effective repair methods required.

Job Purpose

To be responsible for the day to day servicing repair and maintenance of vehicles plant and equipment maintaining Fleet strength 24 hours a day working as part of a team of multi-skilled vehicle technicians.

Responsibilities and duties

scheduled routine maintenance of the services LGV PCV and PCL vehicles and equipment and of other services vehicles and equipment to ministry standards and in line with manufacturers standards and specifications

carry out improvements - mechanical electrical and bodywork related - as required to the initial design or function of various vehicles and equipment including accident repairs

use various items of diagnostic equipment and processes to ascertain the serviceability of a vehicle or auxiliary equipment

carry out mechanical and electrical fault-finding diagnostics on various vehicles and equipment including the use of computer-based programs and diagnostic equipment

provide mobile technician duties to fire stations and other locations when required to carry out scheduled maintenance and/or ad-hoc repairs to vehicles and/or equipment in a professional manner in line with service values

complete and process all documentation in relation to the servicing and repairs of vehicles and equipment to comply with legislation as prescribed by the principal workshop technicians using fleet management systems

through ongoing training be able to deliver a high level of technical knowledge and advice to maintain the high standards required to support compliance with legislation and statutory duties and to facilitate the delivery of effective services

be able to understand and contribute towards the West Midlands Fire Service objectives supporting the team to deliver the functions and objectives of our action plan

carry out duties in a proactive and responsible way to reduce the downtime of vehicles/equipment and to help reduce the impact of your work on the environment

help to support through negotiation and team meetings any changes that you feel need to be made to improve standards procedures or processes

liaise with other departments both internally and externally to progress work through the workshop in the timeliest and most cost-effective manner ensuring that work standard remains at the pinnacle of expectations

ensure all work areas tools and workshop equipment are kept clean safe and serviceable both on and off site complying with safe working practices alongside the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

uphold and actively promote the services equality and diversity policies

mentor instruct train and guide Apprentice Technicians on a one-to-one basis. Issue work to apprentices and monitor work rate and accuracy in line with TEW standards

work alongside TEW stores in the procurement of various parts and/or tools when maintaining/repairing vehicles and equipment

carry out training as required to meet greener solutions to protect the environment (EV or hybrid vehicles)

other duties commensurate with the grade of post as required.

Experience and skills

Essential

City and Guilds Level 3 Craft Certificate in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair or equivalent. Evidence of qualifications will be requested and verified prior to confirmation of appointment

hold an LGV category C driving licence or possess the ability to achieve it within the 12-month probationary period

ability to demonstrate experience in multi-make commercial vehicle maintenance and repair (or possess the ability to achieve this)

ability to demonstrate high level of competency in diagnostic/electrical fault finding and rectification using diagnostic equipment

experience driving a range of vehicles from small cars to Large Goods Vehicles or possess the ability to achieve this

ability to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of health and Safety at work requirements relevant to the role including risk assessments safe systems of work Coshh PUWER/LOLER manual handling and knowledge of the construction and use regulations

willing to attend training courses both in house and away from home

ability to work independently and as part of a team

good organisational skills.

ability to meet deadlines and time management requirements

high level of verbal and written communication skills

flexibility to work out of working hours when required (to complete tasks assigned)

quick thinking and excellent problem-solving techniques ability to work accurately and efficiently under pressure

demonstration of a can do attitude to the role and a willingness to find a solution in the face of a vast array of technical problems

demonstrate a professional attitude at all times

Desirable

knowledge of vehicle electrics hydraulics plant maintenance vehicle recovery and attendance of vehicle manufacturers courses

LGV/PCV category C licence. Training will be given to the correct candidate.

PCV cat D licence

able to wear respiratory equipment if necessary

experience of workshop job sheet computer applications.

Benefits

We offer a friendly clean and modern working environment and benefits including:

ongoing training

provision of all relevant personal protective equipment

free on-site gym facilities

free on-site parking

service-wide progression opportunities.

We also offer access to an in-house occupational health (OH) facility including OH health and fitness advisors sports therapists physiotherapists cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners and counsellors.

In addition employees have access to:

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing programmes

blue light discounts across many retailers through partner schemes

Sports and Welfare scheme (for a small fee) with access to discounted products and services.

Diversity

We welcome applications from all eligible candidates. However as women and Black and minority ethnic employees are currently under-represented in our service we particularly encourage applications from these groups.

WMFS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and adults. We expect the same of every staff member.

Successful candidates will be subject to necessary pre-employment checks including - where applicable - relevant level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check qualifications medical clearance identity and right to work. All applicants will be required to provide two suitable references.

How to apply