Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are looking for an experienced Vehicle and Equipment Technician to join our team. We are flexible on location and are open to the successful candidate being based at any of our locations throughout the Devon and Somerset area (locations are: Barnstaple, Plymouth, and Wellington). Working within our Fleet department you will join us on a full time, permanent basis working 37 hours per week. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £32,654 - £35,235 per annum + standby allowance (average £3,200 per year) + minimum 28 days leave plus bank holidays & benefits.
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.
Do not just take our word for it, here is what the team has to say;
I’ve now been working for DSFRS for 26 years and started my Career as a mobile technician many years ago, now with several promotions I find myself as Fleet Site Supervisor in a job I very much enjoy doing. During this time I have seen many changes through the organisation, and in the workshops, although the firefighters are very much seen in the public eye without the workshop staff, fire appliances would not be turning out the station doors when needed, I feel very proud of the work the workshops do, making the vehicles our firefighters drive safe and legal and protecting lives-the public-property and the environment. We have a wide variety of vehicles we look after from a standard fire appliance, up to specials like Hydraulic Platforms/Hook Lifts/Environmental Pods etc.
We also look after a large amount of specialist kit for several different roles within DSFRS, Ladders/Road Traffic Collision rescue equipment/fire pumps (small and large) rescue from height lines and equipment to name a few. All training for the specialist kit is provided by the service, if you enjoy working on a wide variety of different kit and not just servicing vehicles then this job is for you.
The workshops are open 37 hrs per week and we run the out of hours standby scheme for the times we are closed with three technician’s on call at any one time, backed up with a duty transport manager – Fleet Site Supervisor
Find out more
As our Vehicle & Equipment Technician, you will be responsible for the timely, efficient and cost-effective provision of all aspects of Fleet and Equipment assets 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 payments in addition to the salary quoted 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 & 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 asset to operational use whilst not compromising safety or legislation
Undertaking equipment standard testing and the general upkeep of the reserve appliance fleet to maintain a high standard of operational readiness, and carry 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 license
The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK.
Closing Date: 2359hrs Sunday 2nd February 2025
Our values
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and all employees must share this commitment and adhere to the Services Safeguarding Policy.
Fire and Rescue Authority roles are listed in Schedule 1 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and as such it is our policy to require all applicants to disclose any criminal convictions (both spent and unspent) including driving offences, cautions and /or reprimands.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority are committed to the rehabilitation of offenders, as such any positive disclosures will incorporate a reasonable and proportionate response.
As a Service and as individuals:
We are proud to help
We are honest
We are respectful
We are working together
Devon & Somerset Fire & 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.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .