Education Authority Northern Ireland
Senior Foreperson (Job Share)

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JOB DESCRIPTION
SECTION: Fleet Service
RESPONSIBLE TO: Fleet Locality Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Up to 15 staff
KEY PURPOSE:
- Responsibility for implementing digital or vehicle technology transformation projects at site level in the vehicle maintenance workshop environment, whilst ensuring a business-as-usual service delivery.
- Use system led digital insights and expertise to provide technical advice and supervision to ensure that there are sufficient resources for on-time inspection, maintenance and repair of all types of motor vehicles and associated equipment. Provide the highest level of vehicle operational availability consistent with achieving maintenance standards.
- Ensure that vehicles are maintained to full PSV standard and in accordance with the DVA Guide to maintaining roadworthiness, or EA vehicles under 3.5 tonne are subject to MOT standards as applicable and a 6 monthly safety checks, to include manufacturers recommended checks. Carry out the full range of mechanic duties when required. Ensure workshop activity is aligned with Health and Safety procedures. Supervision to ensure a controlled and organised store provision.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical and Systems Support
- Assist with the setting up, operation, and maintenance of the Fleet Management System and related systems and digital information in the Education Authority vehicle maintenance workshop
- Be responsible for monitoring the planned maintenance schedule on the Fleet Management System, ensuring adherence to the timed events and vehicle maintenance requirements. This includes the raising, completing and costing of all necessary records to comply with operator licence and Education Authority Standards.
- Provide technical support and advice in all areas relating to Education Authority vehicles, attending immobilised vehicles where necessary, arrange recovery utilising proper techniques to minimise risk of additional damage or danger to the public
- Investigate and apply in a logical and progressive manner appropriate vehicle diagnostic solutions to technical problems, formulating technical solutions where required, and contribute to the broader development of the usage of diagnostic equipment in the workshop environment. This includes making recommendations to enhance safety or reliability.
- Technically evaluate vehicle faults to assist in the provision solutions including warranty recoveries, repair or replacement comparisons and other techniques designed to reduce costs.
- Assist with the development of the maintenance programme of the EA Fleet Service Involves monitoring defect levels, assisting in the co-ordination of problem solving and change management issues,, escalation, and reporting, to ensure a high level of support is provided to all Education Authority vehicle users. Ensure work is carried out in accordance with defined standards.
- Provide guidance and technical information to all vehicle users on all matters relating to vehicle familiarisation, optimal utilisation, and that all vehicle safety and legal requirements are satisfactorily achieved.
- Liaise with suppliers of vehicle parts, goods and services in the delivery of the vehicle maintenance service to ensure supply of immediate requirements, managed stock levels and controlled issue of parts and consumables.
- Liaise with External Service Providers in respect of work undertaken through maintenance contracts.
- Agree costings with the Insurance Company Assessors with respect to accident damage. Arrange for accident repairs and refer to the Fleet Locality Manager where extensive or specialist repairs are required. This includes completing records and estimating costs.
Operational
- Undertake a variety of operational activities commensurate with the Senior Foreperson post in support of the Fleet Service as necessary.
- Create and maintain a timetable schedule for operational activities including optimising labour efficiency and productivity in excess of 85%25 in accordance with standard working hours targets, controlling overtime, housekeeping and storage, and maintenance of tools and workshop equipment.
- Ensure the depot and premises are always secure. Ensure the workshop and equipment are utilised for authorised activity only.
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Training
- Assist Education Authority personnel with the operation of new vehicle technology or maintenance technology developments.
- To participate in the planning, design and delivery of a programme of technical training and the production of related documentation.
- Ensure that all staff within the depot receive adequate training/instruction in the procedures and equipment they will use, including ICT systems, and the vehicles they will maintain.
- Establish and control any apprentice training programme.
Administrative and Resource Management
- Assist in the setting up and maintenance of the Fleet Management System resources (hardware and software), in relation to configuration, sizing, profiling, performance and access controls.
- Assist with the monitoring of expenditure on all budgeted items, supplying information as required. Ensure workshop costs are contained within tendered amounts and that financial targets are achieved.
- Assist in the maintenance of an up-to-date electronic inventory of vehicle parts and sundries
- Ensure that PSV and MOT pass rates in the Education Authority are maintained, and that prohibition notices are not received.
- Help ensure that all Risk Assessments are maintained and up to date.
- Provide regular reports as required by the line manager.
- Monitor that safe working practices are deployed in the workshop environment ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to. This includes ensuring that correct notices are displayed, PPE availability and that all equipment meets legislative requirements.
Research and Development
- Engage in an active programme of fault diagnosis and resolution to ensure that vehicle problems that drivers may encounter are minimised.
- Engage in project work requested by Education Authority units and agreed with the line manager.
- Assist with the enhancement of the Education Authority’s vehicle specifications.
- Keep fully conversant with various developments in vehicle technology, particularly in relation to zero-emission vehicles, technology and equipment which may impact on the work of the Fleet Service.
- Liaise with vehicle suppliers and parts manufacturers and contact help lines or technical support facilities in order to minimise chargeable faults.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
- You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
- You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
- The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
- Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
- Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
- In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.


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Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifications/Experience | Hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3 Motor Vehicle or equivalent and have a minimum of three year’s demonstrable working experience of carrying out maintenance on a range of buses, large vehicles, plant and machinery, including PSV and MOT. AND Hold a minimum of two year’s demonstrable experience in the successful supervision of a large workshop environment. Your answer must include details of how you manage schedules to ensure adherence to timed maintenance events by optimising labour efficiency and productivity. AND Hold a minimum full current category B (or equivalent) driving licence. If passenger carrying vehicle Category D (or equivalent) is not held, candidate must be willing to obtain other categories if required. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Skills/Abilities | Proven ability to maintain accurate and up to date records | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Knowledge | Demonstrable knowledge of working with vehicle electrics and the use of diagnostic computer equipment. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Other | When required, undertake job related training and necessary certifications to fulfil the requirements of the role, i.e. Electric Vehicle Maintenance, Use of Alternative Fuels, Basic computer skills or willingness to obtain these skills | Shortlisting by Application Form |
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Skills/Abilities | In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Demonstrable experience of motivating and leading a team to achieve a successful outcome. Evidence of effective organisational and planning skills to achieve results. Ability to maintain accurate and up to date records (electronic & paper based). | Interview |
| Knowledge | Evidence of an excellent knowledge of mechanical, electrical and electronic components of vehicles. | Interview |
| Values Orientation | Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here. | Interview |
Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
Some or all
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