Vehicle Technician / Mechanic in Newry

Primary Location: Down-Newry-Transport Depot Newry

Other Locations: Armagh-Armagh-Transport Depot Armagh

Contract Type: Permanent

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: N/A

Status: Full-Time

Hours per Week: 36

Working Pattern: To be confirmed with successful candidate upon appointment.

Grade/Scale: Vehicle Mechanic | NJC pt 17-20 | £16.5261 - £17.3651 per hour

Additional Allowance(s): Other, please see additional information

Anticipated Interview Date(s): 01 July 2026

Additional Information: Tool Allowance applicable, Base location to be agreed upon appointment.

REPORTS TO: Foreperson

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Up to 5 staff (any semi-skilled staff, apprentices or other staff delegated to work with a nominated mechanic)

JOB PURPOSE:

To service, maintain and repair all types of motor vehicles, mechanical handling equipment and mobile plant/equipment in a safe, efficient and economical manner by deploying the requisite skills and expertise. Work to the highest standards without close supervision and achieve an acceptable level of work throughout whilst maintaining quality standards at all times.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Examine, inspect and report on the condition, roadworthiness and safety of any vehicle or equipment, including functional testing and the application of diagnostic techniques to the line manager.
• Service, maintain, adjust or repair vehicles equipment or components utilising the necessary tools, equipment and facilities in a safe and efficient manner within the standard hour’s targets defined by the Manager (Vehicle Maintenance) or vehicle/equipment manufacturer.
• Interpret and implement technical service data and statutory maintenance standards to ensure that all work performed is in accordance with the defined standards.
• Attend broken down or immobilised vehicles and equipment, utilising proper techniques to minimise the risk of additional damage to the vehicle, or injury to yourself and members of the public.
• Manufacture simple component parts, using hand tools or other machinery provided, to a high standard of accuracy and performance.
• As appropriate to individual skills undertake such duties as are required to effect repair or refurbishment involving electrical or IT components, fabrication of component parts, body repairs inclusive of panels (aluminium and fibreglass), and all types of welding.
• Apply the policies of the Education Authority’s Vehicle Maintenance Service in respect of maintenance practice and standards to ensure these are fully implemented and that maximum benefit is obtained in optimising equipment availability and reducing total maintenance costs.
• Apply in a logical and progressive manner the appropriate diagnostic techniques to determine the cause of reported malfunctions in vehicles, components or systems, including also any recommendations for improvements or modifications designed to enhance safety or reliability.
• Supervise and instruct semi-skilled staff, apprentices and such other staff as may be employed.
• Attend any training courses on vehicles or equipment that may be deemed necessary.
• Use safe working practices and procedures at all times on all necessary occasions including the wearing of protective clothing/equipment and the maintenance of a tidy personal appearance.
• Co-operate in the introduction of management information systems.
• Carry out all duties in the working conditions normally inherent in the job and comply with: The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978; Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; Codes of Practice.
• Achieve vehicle availability targets in accordance with agreed levels.
• Bus driving duties as required by the needs of the service.
• Undertake any other duties or responsibilities commensurate with the mechanic’s experience and ability that may reasonably be required by the Foreperson.

Performance Criteria:

• Co-operate with the agreed Scheme for the Provision of Maximum Flexibility among Motor Trade Employees in Transport Depots.
• Complete work within specified standard working hour’s targets.
• Complete work consistently to a high standard.
• Display initiative in diagnosing technical problems and be effective in overcoming problems.
• Attend break down vehicles and equipment without danger to the public and with the risk of causing additional damage.
• Be well versed in application of vehicle legislation and the Education Authority Vehicle Maintenance Service policies and procedures.
• Communicate skills and knowledge effectively to staff under training.

Reporting:

• Compliance with the working week arrangement as defined by the Workshop Foreperson in accordance with the needs of the service.
• Utilisation of the time keeping process in an accurate manner and in accordance with the procedures lay down by the Workshop Foreperson.
• Completion of documents and records as decided by the Workshop Foreperson including a Job costing system.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS:

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria:

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3 Motor Vehicle or an equivalent qualification.
• Hold a full current category B (or equivalent) driving licence.
• Evidence of a minimum of three years’ working experience of carrying out maintenance on a range of vehicles, plant and machinery.
• Evidence of experience of working with vehicle electrics and of using diagnostic computer equipment.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria:

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

• Evidence of an excellent knowledge of mechanical, electrical and electronic components of vehicles.
• Demonstrable knowledge of vehicle diagnostic systems and methods.

Skills/Abilities:

• Evidence of the ability to safely handle heavy equipment and use a range of manual and power tools to carry out vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills.
• Evidence of effective organisational and planning skills to achieve deadlines.
• Ability to communicate and take instruction in the English language.

Values Orientation:

• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria:

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Hold A vehicle diagnostic qualification.

Our Values:

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND:

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.