Vehicle and Equipment Mechanic/Firefighter I

PRIMARY ROLE: VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MECHANIC
SECONDARY ROLE: FIREFIGHTING AND APPARATUS OPERATION

SUMMARY The Vehicle and Equipment Mechanic/Firefighter I is primarily responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing the Fire Department's specialized fire, rescue, marine, and support vehicles and equipment. The position performs skilled mechanical work with limited supervision and helps ensure that critical apparatus and life-safety systems remain safe, compliant, and ready for emergency service. The employee must be, or become, qualified as a firefighter and fire apparatus driver/operator; the Town of Ocean City Fire Department will provide training and support toward the required fire-service qualifications. Emergency response is a secondary function of this position and is performed as operational needs require.

JOB DUTIES

PRIMARY FUNCTION: VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
Performs routine inspections and preventive maintenance; diagnoses mechanical and operational problems; and repairs departmental fire, rescue, marine, and support vehicles and equipment. Uses specialized diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot and repair onboard vehicle and life-safety systems, including electrical and electronic systems; carburetion and fuel injection; hydraulic and pneumatic systems; heating and air conditioning; and emergency lighting, sirens, and related systems. Maintains critical, no-fail apparatus and equipment in peak operating condition to support safe and reliable emergency response. Disassembles, installs, cleans, repairs, replaces, rebuilds, reassembles, and tests apparatus and equipment components. Ensures fire apparatus and emergency vehicles comply with applicable Department of Transportation (DOT), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and manufacturer requirements. Coordinates, oversees, verifies, and documents third-party fire pump flow testing, ground ladder testing, and aerial ladder testing and certification in accordance with NFPA requirements. Completes annual DOT inspections of the fire apparatus fleet. Performs fleet maintenance, including engine tune-ups and repairs; brake inspection and adjustment; electrical-system diagnosis, repair, and replacement; and bulb and fuse replacement. Maintains accurate service records and inspection logs for the Fire Department fleet. Maintains portable pumps, small gasoline engines, and emergency generators, and installs sensitive electronic equipment in departmental apparatus and equipment. Performs emergency field maintenance when necessary, including at emergency scenes and along roadsides, in adverse weather and temperature conditions. Provides after-hours on-call mechanical support as assigned, including nights, weekends, holidays, and special events, to return damaged or out-of-service critical apparatus and equipment to service. May serve on the Department's Apparatus Specifications Workgroup and provide technical guidance related to replacement of capital and small-fleet vehicles. May attend pre-bid, apparatus construction, and final inspection meetings, including meetings at manufacturers' facilities, to verify compliance with contract specifications. Orders parts and maintains parts inventory. Assists Command Staff with fleet and equipment budget preparation. Operates heavy equipment, including fire apparatus, as authorized by the employee's driver's license and Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualifications Board (MFSPQB) certifications. Maintains thorough knowledge of the marine fleet and fireboat operations; performs routine maintenance and coordinates repair of marine fleet motors and equipment. Performs other related duties consistent with the mechanical purpose and requirements of the position.

SECONDARY FUNCTION: FIREFIGHTING AND APPARATUS OPERATION
When assigned based on operational needs, responds to emergency calls as a firefighter and/or fire apparatus driver/operator, including fires, alarms, hazardous materials incidents, marine accidents, public service calls, and motor vehicle accidents. Maintains the knowledge required to operate assigned apparatus and equipment and to support firefighting, fire prevention, and rescue operations. Uses and cares for firefighting tools, appliances, equipment, and protective clothing in accordance with approved methods and emergency operating practices. Applies required safety precautions during emergency medical, firefighting, rescue, and related response activities.

BENEFITS
We offer a competitive benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution 457b plan, a flexible spending account, life insurance, disability, twelve paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick leave.

Requirements: High school diploma or GED, preferably in vocational arts; Completion of apprenticeship in automotive mechanics and three years of related mechanical experience (or five or more years of related mechanical experience); Valid Class B Non-Commercial Driver's License or ability to obtain within one year; Emergency Vehicle Technician Level I (EVT Level I) certification or equivalent within two years; Current CPR/AED certification; MFSPQB or equivalent certifications in Firefighter I, Emergency Vehicle Operator, and Fire Apparatus Pump Operator within 18 months

Salary: $52,998.00 - $67,579.00 Annually