Mechanic - Mechanical Engineering Field Service Engineer

Job summary

What you’ll do…

As a Mechanical Engineering Field Service Engineer (Mobile Mechanic), you will deliver an efficient, value for money service that supports Forestry England in achieving its operational objectives. You will be responsible for maintaining and repairing vehicles and specialist forestry equipment, ensuring the fleet is professionally and cost‑effectively managed to maximise availability and reliability.

The role will involve carrying out inspections, servicing, repairs, welding and fabrication, and recovery work at operational worksites and other locations as required. Equipment maintained will typically include chainsaws, trailers, quad bikes, agricultural machinery such as tractors and associated attachments, as well as cars, vans, and 4x4 vehicles.

This is a workshop based role but includes a mobile role requiring a proactive and flexible approach to supporting frontline operations.

The post reports to the Mechanical Engineering Chargehand / Service Delivery Administrator.

Please refer to the full job description for further details on the role requirements and candidate criteria.

Where you’ll work…

This role is based from our Santon Downham Workshop situated in the East district, Thetford Forest just outside of Brandon. This workshop covers Forestry England's East, South and West districts so traveling will be expected at times, including infrequent overnight stays. Overtime payments and expenses rates will be offered to cover travel periods.

East England Forest District, covers an area of 35,000 hectares from North Norfolk to Brighton; including Thetford Forest and the outlying beats of Sandlings, Kent, East Sussex, Chilterns and Thames Chase Community Forest. The District has a varied landholding including the largest lowland pine forest in England at Thetford, community woodland on the outskirts of London at Thames Chase, and a range of mixed woodland, many of which are on sites of Ancient Woodland.

Job description

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Repair and Maintenance of Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment

• work as a team to successfully deliver high standards of service delivery for the maintenance and repair of assets across your geographical areas of responsibility

• ensure that all maintenance, whether preventative or otherwise, inspections, servicing, and statutory checks (Such as PUWER, LOLER, PSSR, MOT’s, Fuel Bowser, Plant, Trailers, AV’s, etc) are completed in accordance with the manufacturers specifications and internal FC policy

• ensure regular communication is provided to charge hand / service delivery administrator on the status of equipment throughout the repair or maintenance process

• ensure all assets are assessed for lifespan at each scheduled maintenance event and advise line management should repairs exceed financial expectation

• ensure that records of all and any maintenance event, whether scheduled or otherwise, are recorded within the asset management software

• ensure all workshop equipment safety check processes are completed

• assess and carry out all assigned tasks, identifying the most appropriate method of effecting a repair/maintenance whilst considering cost, downtime and ensuring the safety of all

Financial

• identify any parts required and present as much information as possible to charge hand / admin to order if above delegated authority

• comply with delegated authority limits for any purchases, escalating those which may be required

• highlight to charge hand / admin any instances where parts quotations may exceed financial expectation for further discussion and authorisatio

• goods receive any parts ordered on receipt of parts

• assist in managing parts, consumable and lubrication stocks of assigned workshop vehicle

Communication

• maintain effective communications across your team, colleagues and suppliers through regular and routine discussions, toolbox talks and scheduled reviews

• ensure end users are kept fully informed of the status of assets under repair via chargehand / admin

• seek honest feedback on your own performance and act on that feedback

• attend training and maintain CPD to comply with business and personal requirements

• create and champion an inclusive working environment where people feel valued, safe to challenge and where contribution and success is recognised

Health and Safety

• complete ‘short job risk assessments’ when they identify additional risk’s to a ‘job specific risk assessment’

• keep records for audit / review purposes

• utilise the COSHH database wherever required

• attend weekly toolbox talk’s with your team on matters such as health & safety and regulatory compliance

• ensure the effective safe working and encourage across the department

• ensure that your workspaces are regularly cleaned and are accessible, inclusive and maintain a positive approach to hygiene and welfare standards

Business Sustainability

• assist your team to successfully deliver business objectives/ outcomes/ targets in accordance with PPG 35 – waste

• identify areas where a reduction of waste could be achieved, and in cases where this is not feasible, recycling of packaging is effective

• encourage an inclusive environment where people feel valued, and where new innovations are openly suggested for future improvements

And any other tasks reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge & experience

Essential professional and technical experience

• demonstratable experience working in a customer and technical engineering focused environment
• experience of carrying out maintenance and repair on a wide range of different vehicles, machines and equipment
• experience and knowledge of applying health and safety considerations
• good communication skills

Desirable professional and technical experience

• knowledge and use of fleet management software, including asset records
• experience in working as part of a wider team across multiple geographical areas
• a high level of technical expertise on repair, maintenance and diagnostics of mechanical, electronic and hydraulic systems found on heavy plant machinery and agricultural equipment
• experience in vehicle diagnostics and air conditioning
• diagnostic knowledge for mechanical engineering assets (VME) using husqvarna, snap-on and other tools
• knowledge of electric vehicles
• wielding (arc and MiG) and fabrication skills
• knowledge of risk assessments and COSHH

Qualifications

Essential

• full UK driving license – category B (enables you to drive a manual vehicle up to 3,500kg in the uk)
• mechanical engineering based qualifications, for example:

City and Guilds Motor Vehicle Engineering (3905), Plant/Agricultural NVQ Maintenance Level 2, or equivalent.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission contributes £8,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailore