Principal Workshop Technician – West Midlands Fire Service

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.