Technical Support Assistant

As a Technical Support Assistant youwillprovide a range of general technical support, at the Technical Centre and as part of a mobile workshop team working at various Stations or on site across the AF&RS area. You’llcontribute to achieving fleet maintenance objectives, thereby helping to make sure corporate targets and customer needs are met. The postholder will work as part of a team, supporting colleagues as necessary, to ensure continuity of service and to meet customer needs and deadlines, including providing cover where appropriate within the Technical Centre.

Some of the things you’ll be doing

• Under the direction of the Workshop Manager/Supervisor you’ll carry out minor repairs to vehicles, plant and equipment as required, which may include jump-starting vehicles, replacing mirrors, fuel connections or small electrical faults. When required you’ll carry out simple ‘A’ & ‘B’ vehicle maintenance checks and top up fuel, oil, water and other fluids levels to the required level. As directed you’ll maintain any associated records.
• Conduct acceptance testing on specialist appliances before collection and return to and from Fire Stations. Attend refresher courses and maintain competencies through CPD days for all specialist appliances. Attend Boat Handling course and attain day skipper qualification to be able to move AF&RS’s boats around the docks for removal/inspection.
• Provide general assistance to the Ladder Technician in carrying out ladder checks, maintenance and repairs as required. Carry out inspections of ladder gantries, completing preventative maintenance as per schedule and repair ladder gantries, on occasion working alone on station.
• Complete relevant records, including appropriate IT packages, to record job defects and repairs. You’ll be responsible for signing declarations to confirm gantries are safe and fit for service. Contact control when taking appliance off and on the run.
• Carry out standard tests on operational equipment or appliances at the Workshops, and on kitted reserves being held at the Workshops for several weeks, to ensure they are all in working order and ready for operational use. Report any faults or issues of concern to the Supervisor and maintain appropriate records.
• On occasion, under the direction of the incident commander, transport fuel bowsers, ensuring correct procedures for bowser safety at all times. Take the bowser to the operational fireground, decanting into other bowsers in a safe manner, and liaising with the control point of the operational fireground, refuelling appliances in situ. Be responsible for calculating and recording fuel issued, including accurate fuel readings, until the incident is complete.
• At the direction of the Workshop Manager/Supervisor, assist Workshop staff by collecting and delivering spares, fire appliances, workshop vans or other ancillary vehicles and equipment from Fire Stations and suppliers.
• Maintain knowledge of all specialist vehicles and how to operate and drive, including Rescue Pumps, Hovercraft and Turntable Ladder.
• Carry out any additional responsibilities as reasonable and appropriate, as agreed with line manager.
• 25 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 29 days after 5 years, and 30 days after 10 years of service
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Welfare and Wellbeing services
• Staff Networks
• Access to Westfield Health Supplementary Healthcare package.

With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire & Rescue Services to undertake standard DBS checks for all employees. All job roles require a standard DBS check, with certain defined roles requiring an enhanced check. These will be renewed throughout employment.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under-represented at Avon Fire & Rescue Service, particularly women, Disabled people and members of ethnic minority communities.

Additional reading

It is important for you to familiarise yourself with our work at Avon FRS and the framework we follow. Please see some resources below for you to read and explore: