Summary:  

This position will be responsible for providing preventative maintenance and mechanical repair work related to specialized fire vehicles, heavy fire apparatus, other related fire/emergency equipment, various light to heavy trucks up to class 8, and small construction equipment. This position will report to the Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) supervisor. The duties and responsibilities listed below are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive. 

Position Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for maintaining a safe workplace and ensuring that safety is the highest priority in the workplace. 

• Complies with all Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance requirements and goals.  Provide documentation to these divisions as necessary to ensure adequate and legal documentation. 

• Diagnoses, troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains small construction equipment, specialized fire vehicles, heavy fire apparatus, other related fire/emergency equipment, various light to heavy trucks up to Class 8, and small construction equipment.  

• Corrects deficiencies in components and ancillary equipment.   

• Performs service, maintenance, repairs and overhauls in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations.  

• Performs equipment repairs in response to maintenance requests, in shop or in field locations.  

• Uses diagnostic procedures and test equipment to identify and correct equipment faults.  

• Analyzes and diagnoses mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and electronic faults.  

• Operates shop equipment including overhead cranes, welders, compressors, presses, grinders, hand tools, and tire servicing equipment. 

• Operates recovery vehicle and performs recovery functions, sometimes outdoors in extreme environmental conditions.  

• Performs major maintenance on compressed air foam (CAF) systems units used for, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF). These systems contain from 300 to 600 gallons of aircraft firefighting foam expelled by high-pressure compressed air and include 500 lbs. of dry chemical. These systems use “Tri-Max” technology.  

• Checks operating efficiency of fire vehicles, heavy fire apparatus, and fire mechanical equipment. 

• Repairs and adjusts engines, transmissions, brake systems, hydraulic systems, water pumps, and accessories. 

• Ensures pump systems provide appropriate volumes of water at specified pressures during periodic and required annual pump testing. 

• Tunes engines; cleans, repairs, and replaces carburetors, fuel systems, pumps, strainers, fuel lines, fuel tanks, gauges, and wires; and reconditions electrical systems. 

• Performs general maintenance of all fire equipment, including oiling and lubricating various components. 

• Performs heavy vehicle systems and component failure analyses. 

• Ensures fire apparatus conforms to National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) standards. 

• Responds to emergency callouts and mutual aid requests for mechanic services and perform emergency field repairs on fire apparatus and related equipment. 

• May work day, night or swing shifts depending on operational needs.   

• Assists other mechanics and members of the VMF team as required.  

• Maintains thorough and accurate service logs and records of maintenance performed including diagnosis, root cause, labor, and parts in Maximo or other approved methods. 

• Conducts parts and repair requirements research. 

• Provides input to supervisor regarding equipment utilization, equipment replacement, and equipment needs.  

• Provides classroom and hands-on instruction to Antarctic Fire Department personnel pertaining to maintenance and operation of fire apparatus and related equipment. 

• Assists the VMF supervisor in identifying appropriate training opportunities with a goal of providing succession training for the positon. 

• Keeps tools, equipment, and work area clean, organized, and in good working condition. 

• Road tests vehicles. 

• Observes and follows all safety rules and procedures, including wearing required personal safety equipment. 

• Performs additional duties and projects as assigned. 

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses: 

• High School diploma or GED 

• At least five (5) years’ experience as an Emergency Vehicle Technician or six (6) years’ experience as a vehicle mechanic with the ability to certify as an Emergency Vehicle Technician, or five (5) years’ experience as a vehicle mechanic with one summer or winter Antarctic deployment working as a light vehicle or heavy equipment technician.   

• Demonstrated knowledge of methods and tools used in repair and maintenance of fire vehicle apparatus, including diesel engines, fire pumps, hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic systems. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of N.F.P.A. standards for commercial and fire vehicles. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of automotive repairs and maintenance. 

Expected Skills and Competencies: 

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude. 

• Ability to operate and drive a variety of fire vehicles and equipment. 

• Ability to understand, diagnose, and repair modern fire apparatus electrical systems, including computerized engine, transmission, and brake systems. 

• Knowledge of basic record keeping and work order system procedures. 

• Working knowledge of diagnostic software as it relates to general automotive fleet, fire apparatus and heavy vehicle equipment. 

• Basic computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite applications and computerized fleet work order systems. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires handling multiple tasks at a given time and rapidly adapting to changing priorities and schedules. 

• Cross-cultural sensitivity with an international perspective. 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 

• Ability to become an active and functioning member of a team. 

• Ability to be innovative and be an agent for change. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to facilitate and disseminate information. 

• Proficiency in lifting and bracing large and heavy parts/equipment with jacks, cranes, floor lift and cribbing is required.  

• Ability to use mechanic tools and diagnostic equipment with skill and safety. 

• Ability to follow directions. 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties. 

Preferred: 

• EVT Certifications, ASE certifications, and dealership certifications are a plus. 

• Two years training at a technical school is highly desirable.  

• Relevant overseas automotive mechanical experience is preferred. 

• Hands-on experience working with equipment manufactured by Oshkosh, Pierce or E-One, Ford, International, and Freightliner is highly desirable. 

• Previous USAP experience or experience with remote polar operations is preferred. 

• Knowledge of principles and processes involved in supporting vehicle maintenance functions at an overseas facility. 

• Knowledge of sound mechanical practices as applied to commercial and special-purpose equipment, to include electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems is preferred. 

Physical and/or Other Requirements: 

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods  

• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica 

• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer 

• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF 

• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.  

• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.  

• Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.  

• Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States 

• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.