At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee vehicle and equipment repair operations, manage technicians, and ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Company: West Midlands Fire Service provides mechanical support for 136 emergency response vehicles across the region.
- Benefits: Enjoy a role with a 24-hour emergency call-out service and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: The position is based at the fleet workshops in Perry Barr, Birmingham.
- Why this job: Join a dedicated team ensuring frontline fire appliances are always ready for emergency incidents.
- Qualifications: Essential qualifications include City & Guilds or NVQ level 3 in a relevant trade and supervisory management skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Our Transport Engineering Workshops (TEW) are based at our fleet workshops in Perry Barr, Birmingham. They provide a mechanical and engineering support service to all our fire stations across the West Midlands. The department's primary responsibilities are for the design, purchase, maintenance and repair of the service's fleet of 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 over 2,000 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.
Job purpose: We are looking to appoint a Principal Workshop Technician. Under the direction of the TEW Workshop Manager, the role is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the vehicle and equipment repair and maintenance workshop. You will combine hands on technical expertise with supervisory responsibilities, to ensure all vehicles are serviced, repaired, and maintained to the highest standards. You will also manage a team of technicians, coordinating workflow, diagnosing mechanical issues, ensuring safety compliance, and maintaining accurate service records.
Core responsibilities and duties:
- Team supervision and technical support: manage workshop staff timekeeping, allocate workflow, and provide technical guidance or improvement plans to ensure technicians meet repair schedules.
- Operational efficiency and fleet maintenance: optimise labour and spare appliance use to maintain fire cover, reduce unnecessary crew visits to workshops so they remain available to our communities, update service schedules to meet legislative standards.
- Health, safety and project compliance: enforce safety regulations, update risk assessments, manage equipment repairs within budget, and lead engineering projects with proper documentation.
Core experience and skills:
- Essential: trade qualifications: City & Guilds or NVQ equivalents to level 3, National Craft Certificate (or equivalent); extensive knowledge of repair and maintenance of LGV/PCV, DVSA legislation and standards; supervisory management skills.
- Desirable: formal professional qualifications in supervisory management; LGV driving licence; knowledge of fleet management systems.
Principal Workshop Technician - West Midlands Fire Service employer: Job Search Place Limited
Working at West Midlands Fire Service means contributing to community safety through effective fleet management. The role offers a competitive salary and benefits, including opportunities for further training. Join a team committed to maintaining over 2,000 essential assets for emergency response.
