Jobs

Job Background:   

The tradesperson role within the Police Service of Northern Ireland Transport Workshops is a multi-skilled role which covers the core trades of mechanics, auto electricians and coach builders/fabricators.  

The main duties described below cover these three disciplines which are required to maintain the diverse vehicles within the fleet in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification, service standards and government regulation, ensuring vehicles are readily available to support operational requirements.

Hours of Work: Armagh, Maydown & Enniskillen - Monday – Thursday 08:00 – 16:15 and Friday 08:00 – 14:30 (under review). 37 net hours per week.

Carrickfergus & Antrim - Monday – Thursday 07:00 – 15:00 and Friday 07:00 – 14:30 (under review). 37 net hours per week.

Overtime may be a requirement of this post for which the appropriate overtime allowance will be paid.

Salary: Currently £28,734 - £29,337, moving to £30,458 - £31,097 applicable from 1 August 2025 plus £1365 environmental allowance.

Main Activities: 

The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

• Servicing (which includes routine servicing work, safety inspection and major service) and repairing function – (dismantle and inspect a variety of vehicles’ essential electrical and mechanical systems and components for defects and take remedial action) whilst ensuring compliance with the manufacturers specifications and government regulations. 
• Service and maintenance on electric & hybrid fleet vehicles as per service schedule.
• Carrying out maintenance (routine and major) as per the relevant Service Schedule, informing supervisor of relevant parts required. Obtaining authorisation and keeping accurate records of all parts used. 
• Carrying out electrical installations on new vehicles. 
• Completing tyre repairs and/or fitting new tyres, balancing wheels and carrying out four-wheel alignment of vehicles.
• Operating a mobile breakdown/repair service to deal with all minor vehicle maintenance/faults at police establishments.  
• Fault finding and diagnosing electrical/mechanical issues on all modern vehicle systems, including Engine Management, Transmission Systems (both electronic and hydraulic), including two and four wheel drive with and without diff locks, ABS Systems, ESO, SRS, Climate Control, Anti-theft, and where necessary re-programming electronic control units (ECUs).
• Researching faults using manufacturers’ circuit diagrams and specification manuals.
• Road testing police vehicles for diagnostic output, fault finding and quality control purposes.
• Assisting with designing, planning, preparing and modifying vehicles for police personnel, other departments, contractors and suppliers, all under the direction of line management.
• Assisting with researching and developing vehicle modifications and fit outs, including analysing results, modifying as necessary and recording.
• Testing vehicles to standard of MOT using in house brake suspension tester. 
• Quality assuring contractors work, presenting findings to line management and contractors if required to do so. 
• Preparing end of life vehicles for disposal. 
• Complying with Health and Safety at Work regulations.
• Ensuring workspace is kept clean and tidy.
• Ensuring workshop equipment is used and stored in an appropriate manner.  Inspecting all workshop equipment before use and reporting any defects to line management. 
• Completing jobs within agreed times and recording details of tasks undertaken in live time using touch screen technology on computerised fleet management system. 
• Working within documented Quality Assurance Procedures. 

This Job Description reflects the main duties and responsibilities associated with this position. It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive. 

All candidates must successfully complete a driving assessment for class C1 within 12 months of appointment.

There may be an opportunity for shortlisted candidates to visit the Seapark site in Carrickfergus. This will give candidates a better understanding of the role and ask any questions they may have. Successful shortlisted candidates will be notified closer to the time.

Person Specification: 

Essential Qualifications 

• Have completed a recognised apprenticeship AND hold a NVQ level 3 qualification or equivalent level qualifications in Light Vehicle Maintenance/Repairs or Auto Electrical Repairs.

Essential Skills and Experience 

A minimum of 12 months post apprenticeship experience in vehicle servicing, inspection and repair to include:

• Experience of carrying out routine servicing work, identification of worn parts for replacement, safety inspections and major servicing of vehicles including solving problems using computer based diagnostic equipment OR Experience of fitting and wiring of electrical components and reading wiring diagrams to trace/repair electrical faults.
• In depth knowledge of modern day vehicle engineering and electronics together with good experience of health and safety working practices.

Essential Other

• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).
• The successful candidate must have access to a form of transport which will enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the job in full.

Desirable Qualifications

• NVQ level 4 qualification or equivalent level qualification in Light Vehicle Maintenance/Repairs or Auto Electrical Repairs.
• IMI level 3 in Electric/Hybrid vehicle system and replacement.

Desirable Skills & Experience   

• Experience of working specifically on Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Vauxhall, Ford and Land Rover Vehicles.
• Trained and certified to De-Gas, Re-Gas and record A/C systems in reference to F-Gas regulations.
• Certified to work on hybrid and electric vehicles.

Desirable Other  

• Current driving licence with Class C1 vehicle classification.

Short listing will be carried out based on essential criteria. Please note in some instances, for example, where there is a high volume of applicants, desirable criteria may be assessed. 

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising. 

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence. 

Selection Methodology:

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below. This will include both past and future focused questions.  Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website. Please use the 2024 CVF for this role. 

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Value Based Interview 

Competencies – Level 2

• We Take Ownership
• We Analyse Critically
• We Collaborate
• We Support and Inspire