District Mechanical Officer - Leading Hand

Country Fire Authority (CFA); Geelong; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful purpose

Work-life balance

Learning and development

Emergency Memberlink discounts

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Country Fire Authority (CFA) – North Geelong VIC is hiring a District Mechanical Officer - Leading Hand. The role combines hands-on servicing, repairs and preventative maintenance of CFA's fleet with leadership duties in the workshop.

You will diagnose complex mechanical and electrical faults, manage workshop workload, and provide technical guidance to apprentices and staff, while ensuring records are accurate and up-to-date.

Qualifications

• Must have strong experience maintaining medium and heavy vehicles, including braking systems, driveline components, engines and body components.
• Advanced mechanical, electrical and diagnostic skills required.
• Ability to lead, guide and support workshop employees and apprentices.

Responsibilities

• Servicing, repairing and maintaining medium and heavy vehicles and firefighting appliances.
• Diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical and electrical faults.
• Completing preventative and corrective maintenance and approved modifications.
• Supporting the OIC with workshop workflow, priorities and allocation of work.
• Providing technical guidance and support to workshop employees and apprentices.
• Undertaking quality checks to ensure work meets required standards.
• Maintaining accurate work, parts and maintenance records in CFA systems.
• Liaising with brigade members about vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Participating in the workshop after-hours roster for breakdowns and operational support.

Skills

Medium & heavy vehicle experience

Advanced mechanical skills

Electrical fault diagnosis

Leadership & guidance

Record keeping & documentation

Education

Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology

Motor Mechanic Trade Certificate

Certificate IV in Leadership & Management

Tools

Forklift High Risk Work Licence (LF)

Job description

District Mechanical Officer - Leading Hand

Country Fire Authority (CFA) – North Geelong VIC

CFA relies on a fleet of more than 2,300 firefighting and specialist vehicles and appliances to support communities across Victoria. Our Fleet Maintenance team keeps these vehicles safe, reliable and ready to respond.

As the Leading Hand, you'll carry out servicing, repairs, preventative maintenance, fault diagnosis and approved modifications across CFA's fleet.

Working under the direction of the Officer-in-Charge (OIC), you'll also perform a Leading Hand role within the workshop, helping to coordinate daily work, providing technical guidance and supporting other employees and apprentices.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Servicing, repairing and maintaining medium and heavy vehicles and firefighting appliances
• Diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical and electrical faults
• Completing preventative and corrective maintenance and approved modifications
• Supporting the OIC with workshop workflow, priorities and allocation of work
• Providing technical guidance and support to workshop employees and apprentices
• Undertaking quality checks to ensure work meets required standards
• Maintaining accurate work, parts and maintenance records in CFA systems
• Liaising with brigade members about vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Participating in the workshop after-hours roster for breakdowns and operational support

About You

You'll be an experienced and qualified mechanic who is ready to take on a Leading Hand role, combining hands‑on mechanical work with providing guidance and support to others. You'll have strong medium and heavy vehicle experience, advanced fault‑finding skills and the ability to work confidently and independently.

You will have:

• Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology, Motor Mechanic Trade Certificate or equivalent
• Strong experience maintaining medium and heavy vehicles, including braking systems, driveline components, engines and body components
• Advanced mechanical, electrical and diagnostic skills
• The ability to lead, guide and support workshop employees and apprentices
• Good organisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• The ability to maintain accurate records and prepare technical reports
• Current first aid qualifications and a forklift High Risk Work Licence (LF)
• Certificate IV automotive qualification in Leadership and Management, or willingness to complete this within the first 12 months of appointment

A Heavy Vehicle Licensed Vehicle Tester qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why choose CFA

• Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
• Growth Opportunities: Learning and development
• Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
• Wellbeing Focus: Healthy for Life programs, flu vaccinations
• Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways

Pre-employment Checks

Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who:

• Successfully complete Reference Checks, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working Rights Check, Driver History/Licence Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check.

CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves. First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.

What to expect from our recruitment process

If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email ***********@cfa.vic.gov.au

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here. For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact ***********@cfa.vic.gov.au

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