At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee vehicle repairs and maintenance while managing a team of skilled technicians.
- Company: Join the West Midlands Fire Service, dedicated to community safety and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, job security, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety and community service.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring emergency vehicles are always ready to respond.
- Qualifications: Trade qualifications and supervisory skills in vehicle maintenance required.
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 in Birmingham employer: National Fire Chiefs Council Limited.
The West Midlands Fire Service offers a rewarding opportunity for the Principal Workshop Technician role, where you will play a crucial part in ensuring the safety and efficiency of emergency response vehicles. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to make a real difference in your community, this position not only provides competitive benefits but also fosters growth through hands-on experience and leadership opportunities in a vital public service environment.
Contact Details:
National Fire Chiefs Council Limited. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Workshop Technician – West Midlands Fire Service in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the fire and rescue sector or related fields. Attend local events or workshops to meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have hands-on experience with vehicle maintenance or supervisory roles, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Bring along examples of your work or any relevant projects you've led to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to come to you. Reach out directly to the West Midlands Fire Service or similar organisations. Express your interest in the Principal Workshop Technician role and ask about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job openings listed there, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the vital work we do.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Workshop Technician – West Midlands Fire Service in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your trade qualifications and any relevant experience in vehicle maintenance and repair. We want to see how your hands-on expertise aligns with the role of Principal Workshop Technician!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fire Chiefs Council Limited.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to LGV/PCV repairs and DVSA legislation. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your expertise in vehicle maintenance and repair.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Workshop Technician, you'll be managing a team. Prepare to share your experiences in supervising staff, allocating tasks, and improving workflow. Think of situations where you successfully led a team through challenges or implemented new processes.
✨Safety First
Health and safety compliance is crucial in this role. Familiarise yourself with relevant safety regulations and be prepared to discuss how you've enforced these in previous positions. Highlight any experience you have with risk assessments and managing equipment repairs within budget.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential mechanical issues that could arise and how you would diagnose and resolve them while ensuring minimal disruption to fire cover. This will demonstrate your operational efficiency and quick thinking.
