Vehicle & Equipment Technician

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has a fantastic opportunity available for a Vehicle and Equipment Technician to join our team based in Chelston. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis working 37 hours per week. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £31364 – £33945 per annum + standby allowance.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England. We provide prevention, protection, and response services across the counties of Devon and Somerset.

Our vision is that together, we will work to end preventable fire and rescue emergencies, creating a safer world for you and your family. Keeping people safe is what we do, and we owe our fantastic reputation to our highly skilled and motivated workforce.

About the Role:

As our Vehicle and Equipment Technician you will be responsible for the timely, efficient and cost effective provision of all aspects of Fleet and Equipment assets and whole life maintenance. To include servicing, maintenance, repair, inspection and changeover of Fire Service vehicles of all classes, ancillary equipment including marine craft, vehicles on contract maintenance, and operational and non-operational equipment. You will be required to provide cover as part of a standby rota, for which you will receive a payment of a standby allowance in addition to your salary- as detailed above.

You’ll ensure a customer-focused approach is maintained at all times, providing minimal disruption and maximum effectiveness to the end user.

Key responsibilities as our Vehicle and Equipment Technician will include:

• Carrying out planned and unplanned maintenance to a standard suitable for an emergency blue light Service and achieving Firefighter / staff and public safety (to include fault finding, testing and inspection).
• Managing, inspecting and assessing repairs/replacements to components; applying correct testing methods and inspections using specialist testing equipment and being responsible for the safe and appropriate use of such equipment.
• Carrying out assessments/evaluations and provide solutions or options that meet customer requirements with regard to vehicle/equipment repairs, modifications and stowage using workshop tools and specialist equipment.
• Assessing damage to assets and provide/deliver innovative solutions to return business critical assets to operational use whilst not compromising safety or legislation.
• Communicating technical information to a wide range of levels internally and externally and to be capable of translating the impact of a technical problem on a user’s business.
• Completing all necessary records for vehicle and equipment maintenance, including electronic job cards, standard test records, spare parts and stock management written reports on condition and written audits as required.
• Undertaking equipment standard testing and the general upkeep of the reserve appliance fleet to maintain a high standard of operational readiness and carry out appliance / reserve vehicle changeovers as and when required.
• Being conditioned to and undertaking the Duty Vehicle and Equipment Technicians standby rota system providing 24-hour cover for vehicle and equipment repair or replacement.
• Driving and road testing light and large goods vehicles and to hold a current valid LGV licence.

Find out more:What we’re looking for in our Vehicle and Equipment Technician:

• Vehicle Engineering Qualification (City and Guilds/NVQ/Equivalent)
• In line with continual professional development, to achieve the IRTE (IRTEC) accreditation with an appropriate and agreed timescale.
• To be registered at IRTEC Certificate advanced technician level, to adhere to the IRTEC code of conduct and to be prepared to work towards achieving the higher standard levels as required.
• Holder of a current LGV licence or the ability to gain one.
• To have served an approved Vehicle Apprenticeship Scheme and to produce evidence in support of such Apprenticeship.
• Proven recent experience (in last five years) of working within a heavy and light vehicles maintenance and repairs environment.
• Experience of fault finding and diagnosis in vehicle electrics and electronics.

If you apply for this role and are successful, but do not hold an LGV and IRTEC Licence you will be supported by the Service to obtain this. Full training will also be provided for all Fire Service equipment.

Closing Date: 2359hrs Sunday 21 January 2024

If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our Vehicle and Equipment Technician please click ‘apply’ today, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply:You will be required to complete an application form and submit a supporting statement. As part of your supporting statement please ensure you provide evidence of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role, as detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification attached to the bottom of this advert. The evidence provided will be used to shortlist the applications received.

Our valuesAs a Service and as individuals:

• We are proud to help
• We are honest
• We are respectful
• We are working together

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recognise and celebrate the vast diversity of the local communities that we serve and aspire for this to be reflected within our workforce. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds, experiences and beliefs, who share our values, to consider working for us.