Fleet Manager

Fleet Manager

Department: Fire

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hourly Salary: $27.41/hr

Per Mississippi State Statute 21-31-63: Any applicant for a position of any kind under civil service must be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the county in which he resides and must meet only such bona fide occupational residency requirements as may be determined by the civil service commission or the governing authority of the municipality.

Position Overview:
The Fleet Manager is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of the Fire Department’s fleet, apparatus, equipment, and related mechanical systems. This position performs and coordinates preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, testing, and replacement of fire apparatus, staff and support vehicles, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), breathing air compressors, flashlights, power tools, small engines, and other department equipment.

The Fleet Manager works to ensure that Fire Department vehicles and equipment are maintained in a safe, reliable, and service-ready condition. The position maintains accurate service records, coordinates outside repairs when necessary, manages replacement parts and supplies, and assists department leadership with equipment purchasing, replacement planning, and fleet management. This position is classified as a Critical personnel classification for Emergency Response. This means that during an emergency response, this position is part of a subset of essential personnel who must be physically present due to the nature of their role. Critical status is defined as employees whose duties are vital to maintain basic municipal functions during an emergency.

Essential Job Functions:
Essential job duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following:

• Inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair Fire Department apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and mechanical systems.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on fire engines, ladder trucks, rescue vehicles, command vehicles, utility vehicles, trailers, and other department-owned vehicles.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other equipment-related problems and perform appropriate repairs within the scope of the position.
• Maintain, inspect, troubleshoot, and coordinate repairs of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), SCBA cylinders, facepieces, regulators, harness assemblies, and related respiratory protection equipment.
• Inspect, maintain, and coordinate service of breathing air compressors, cascade systems, and associated equipment.
• Maintain and repair department flashlights, battery systems, chargers, scene lighting, and portable lighting equipment.
• Inspect, maintain, and repair small engines and gasoline-powered equipment, including generators, ventilation fans, saws, pumps, and similar equipment.
• Maintain and repair hand tools, power tools, extrication equipment, and other fire and rescue equipment as assigned.
• Establish and maintain preventive maintenance schedules for apparatus, vehicles, and equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections to identify deficiencies before they result in equipment failure or removal from service.
• Respond to apparatus or equipment failures and make emergency repairs when practical to return critical equipment to service.
• Determine when repairs should be performed internally or referred to an outside vendor or specialized repair facility.
• Coordinate repairs, warranty work, recalls, and scheduled service with manufacturers, dealerships, and outside vendors.
• Obtain repair estimates and assist in evaluating repair-versus-replacement decisions.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, maintenance, repairs, parts, costs, warranties, and equipment service history.
• Maintain appropriate documentation for apparatus and equipment testing, certification, and scheduled maintenance.
• Maintain an inventory of commonly used replacement parts, filters, fluids, batteries, bulbs, fittings, tools, and other maintenance supplies.
• Order or assist with the purchase of parts, equipment, tools, and supplies necessary for fleet and equipment maintenance.
• Monitor maintenance and repair expenditures and assist department leadership in developing fleet and equipment maintenance budgets.
• Assist with long-range apparatus, vehicle, and equipment replacement planning.
• Assist with the development of specifications for the purchase of new apparatus, vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Participate in inspections and acceptance processes for newly purchased apparatus and equipment as assigned.
• Monitor manufacturer recalls, service bulletins, warranty issues, and recommended maintenance requirements.
• Ensure apparatus and equipment are maintained in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain the Fleet Maintenance facility, tools, diagnostic equipment, parts storage areas, and workspaces in a safe and orderly condition.
• Maintain accountability for department-owned maintenance tools and specialized diagnostic equipment.
• Communicate apparatus and equipment deficiencies, repair status, expected downtime, and operational concerns to appropriate department personnel.
• Coordinate with company officers and department personnel to schedule maintenance while minimizing the impact on emergency response capabilities.
• Provide instruction to department personnel regarding routine apparatus and equipment inspections, operator maintenance, proper equipment use, and identification of maintenance concerns.
• Conduct research and make recommendations regarding apparatus, vehicles, equipment, tools, maintenance practices, and replacement needs.
• All other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief, Mayor or Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Must possess the required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Considerable knowledge of automotive and heavy-duty vehicle maintenance and repair practices.
• Knowledge of diesel and gasoline engines and associated systems.
• Knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, braking, cooling, charging, starting, and fuel systems.
• Ability to diagnose mechanical and electrical problems using appropriate diagnostic equipment.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance principles and fleet management practices.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to repair a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, schematics, service information, and manufacturer specifications.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, lifting equipment, and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to maintain accurate maintenance, inventory, and purchasing records.
• Ability to prioritize repairs based on operational needs and the impact on emergency response capabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Fire Department personnel, vendors, manufacturers, and repair facilities.
• Ability to work independently, identify problems, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple vehicles or pieces of equipment that may be awaiting maintenance or repair simultaneously.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to utilize fleet maintenance, inventory, purchasing, and recordkeeping software.

Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications must include:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in automotive, diesel, heavy equipment, fleet, emergency vehicle, or related mechanical maintenance and repair.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to obtain any department-required driver's license classification or endorsements within a specified period following appointment.
• Combination of education, training, certifications, and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge and ability required to perform the duties of the position.

Preferred Qualifications may include:
• Experience maintaining or repairing fire apparatus or other emergency vehicles.
• Experience with diesel-powered heavy trucks and commercial vehicle systems.
• Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications.
• Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) certifications.
• Manufacturer-specific training or certifications related to fire apparatus.
• Training or certification related to SCBA inspection, maintenance, or repair.
• Training related to breathing air compressor systems.
• Experience maintaining hydraulic rescue tools, generators, saws, pumps, ventilation equipment, or similar fire service equipment.
• Welding, fabrication, electrical, hydraulic, or diagnostic experience.
• Previous experience managing a municipal, public safety, or commercial vehicle fleet.
• Experience with computerized fleet maintenance and inventory management systems.


Licenses of Certifications
Must possess a valid Mississippi driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Ability to obtain any department-required driver’s license classification or endorsements within a specified period following appointment.


Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties may require the employee to:
• Frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and work in confined or awkward positions.
• Work underneath, on top of, and around large fire apparatus and vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, and manipulate tools, parts, equipment, and components.
• Safely lift and carry items weighing up to approximately 50 pounds independently and heavier items with appropriate assistance or mechanical lifting equipment.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, diagnostic equipment, jacks, lifts, and other shop equipment.
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments and in varying weather conditions.
• Work around vehicle exhaust, fuels, lubricants, cleaning products, batteries, compressed air systems, loud equipment, moving machinery, and other conditions normally associated with a vehicle maintenance facility.

Work Environment and Availability
Work is primarily performed in a vehicle maintenance/shop environment, at Fire Department facilities, and at locations where department apparatus or equipment may require service.
Because the position supports emergency response operations, the Fleet Manager may be required to respond to urgent apparatus or equipment failures outside of normal working hours and may occasionally be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or during significant emergency incidents.



Responsibility and Accountability
The Fleet Manager is entrusted with maintaining equipment essential to the safety of Fire Department personnel and the public. The employee is expected to exercise sound judgment in determining whether apparatus and equipment are safe and operationally ready for service and shall promptly report any condition that may affect the safe operation or reliability of department vehicles or equipment.
The Fleet Manager shall perform all duties in accordance with Fire Department policies, manufacturer recommendations, applicable safety requirements, and established maintenance practices.