Fire Apparatus Mechanic

Under general supervision, performs highly skilled mechanical work in the inspection, diagnosis, repair, and preventative maintenance of specialized Fire and Rescue Department apparatus, fire pumps, aerial ladders, breathing apparatus, small engines, and related equipment; and performs related work as required. This position is considered as an essential employee. Employees in this position operate in a rotating on-call schedule to ensure 24-hour coverage in support of the agency mission. Responds to emergency incident scenes to support the agency mission. This could include working after hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Both scheduled and unscheduled overtime may be required.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Inspects, diagnoses, and repairs advanced mechanical and electrical (AC and DC) problems in Fire and Rescue apparatus, pumpers, aerial devices, and boats and outboard motors;
• Performs complete fire pump overhauls and rebuilds power transfer transmissions, replacing or repairing damaged pump plumbing, rebuilding water valves and rebuilding pumper water tanks;
• Rebuilds aerial ladders and diagnoses aerial hydraulics;
• Performs maintenance and repairs breathing air compressors and generators;
• Performs mandated NFPA Pump Testing;
• Repairs and replaces aerial cables, pre-piped waterways, and stabilization jacks;
• Performs custom fabrication for Fire and Rescue Apparatus;
• Designs, layout, and builds brackets, boxes, and other equipment out of aluminum or steel, utilizing MIG, TIG, or stick welding to assemble the items;
• Diagnose and repairs Fire and Rescue Department rescue boats and outboard motors, power winches, and other miscellaneous small equipment;
• Prepares new vehicles for service to include installing lights, sirens, and custom-built compartments, installs radios, MCT’s and intercom systems;
• Responds to major emergency incidents when Fire and Rescue vehicles will be in prolonged operations.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Proficiency in the diagnosis, adjustment and repair of all assigned vehicles/equipment systems; 
• Ability to learn job related technical information, and to communicate such information to co-workers; 
• Ability to drive Fire vehicles and equipment for testing;
• Ability to lift at a minimum fifty pounds on several occasions;
• Ability to bend, stoop, and climb in confined areas of vehicles;
• Ability to withstand heights.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to:
Completion of the tenth grade; plus five years of experience in problem diagnosis, repair and maintenance of a wide variety of light, medium, heavy and/or specialized automotive equipment; Two years of the required experience must have been at a level comparable to Automotive Mechanic II; Related automotive technical education or trade training above the high school level may be substituted for experience on an hour for hour basis; Possession of a set of personal hand tools commonly used in the automotive section to which assigned is required upon appointment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) certifications, which include:

Fire Apparatus Technician – Level 1

• F1 – Inspections, maintenance, and testing of fire apparatus (EVT)
• F2 – Design and performance standards of fire apparatus (EVT)

• E0 – Inspections, maintenance, and testing of ambulances (EVT)
• E1 – Design and performance of ambulances (EVT) 

• Commercial Driver's License (Class A or B) in the state of residence
• Emergency Vehicle Technician - F1 (Required within 18 months)
• Emergency Vehicle Technician - F2 (Required within 18 months)
• Ambulance Technician - E0 (Required within 18 months)
• Ambulance Technician - E1 (Required within 18 months)