About Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc.

Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. (“WDS”) is a Qualified Insurance Resource (QIR) operating the largest private sector wildfire service in the nation, encompassing a 22-state service area and specializing in wildfire education, loss prevention, and wildfire response services. Qualified Insurance Resources are defined as NWCG qualified or equivalent, wildland engines, tenders, hand crews, fire/liaison officers, and personnel working for or contracted by an insurance company with a mission to mitigate impacts on insured structures threatened by wildfire. WDS holds contracts with insurance companies to provide wildfire loss prevention services. WDS fields experienced, highly trained, safety-focused wildfire officers and fire personnel that hold a wide range of Federal Wildfire Incident Command position classifications necessary to meet or exceed all federal wildfire operation standards and codes including all requirements of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (“NWCG”) or equivalent. WDS is capable of providing more than 180 wildland engines and hundreds of fire personnel and support personnel. WDS has served large and small insurance clients since 2008.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Assembly Manager

A.   Purpose and Scope of Position

The primary roles and responsibilities shall include the proper assembly of fire bodies and fire apparatus to chassis for new resources constructed by Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. (WDS).  The Assembly Mechanic shall ensure that all work is performed in a safe, timely, and cost-effective manner.  The Assembly Mechanic shall ensure that all resources that are constructed are in compliance with all DOT, OSHA, Federal, State and local regulations.  WDS typically assembles Type 3 tenders, Type 5 engines, and liaison officer vehicles. 

Key duties include but not limited to:

Performs tasks related to the assembly/repair of fire bodies and fire apparatus (tanks, pumps, pump engines, hose reels, foam injection systems, etc.).  Key duties will included, installing fire bodies, wiring fire bodies to chassis, function testing fire apparatus and warning lights, cutting and welding aluminum, operating of metal working hand tools, etc. This position is also responsible for resource maintenance record keeping, inventory tracking, and working with outside vendors.

B.   Organizational Relationship

This position reports functionally and administratively to the Assembly Manager. The successful applicant will be responsible for communicating effectively with the team leads and engineers in the Fleet Department

C.   Duties and Responsibilities

·         Receives new chassis and new fire bodies, skid units and fire apparatus.

·         Physically assembles fire bodies and fire apparatus to new chassis, ensuring that newly built resources meet State, Federal, NWCG and company regulations and specifications.

·         Responsible for preparation of chassis for the build process, fire body assembly, fire body wiring, apparatus wiring, function testing of fire pumps and other apparatus, and inspection of resources. 

·         Assists with resource maintenance program, ensuring that vehicles that are returned to the Post Falls work center receive adequate repairs, inspections, and preventative maintenance.

·         Assists with preventative maintenance (PMs), safety inspections, and annual maintenance inspections.

·         General fleet maintenance projects as assigned, including installations and repairs involving small engines, apparatus plumbing, mechanical and electrical equipment

·         Notify supervisor of potentially dangerous equipment and corrective action is taken.

·         Evaluate completed work prior to release and seek approval where required.

·         Assist with road calls and emergency services as necessary.

·         Responsible to perform all assembly and mechanic shop safety and housekeeping duties.

·         May be assigned other fabrication or construction duties to assist the Fleet department and WDS Innovation Lab

D.   Management

·         This position does not supervise others.

E.   Requirements

1)    Basic Qualifications (i.e. education, certifications, etc.)

·         1-3 years of automotive or diesel repair employment experience or combination of education & experience or 1-3 years of experience in the upfit of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.  Upfit experience will preferably include fire bodies and fire apparatus, but may also include assembly of service bodies, dumps, lifts, hoists, snowplows, etc.  

·         Preferred understanding and experience of fire body and fire apparatus upfit, installation, modification, maintenance and repair.

·         Ability to follow specifications for the assembly and installation of fire bodies and fire apparatus.

·         Experience maintaining fleet vehicles with upfit equipment.  Preference will be given to those who have previous experience maintaining municipal or wildland firefighting resources and apparatus.

·         Intermediate diagnostics skills and mechanical knowledge are required.

·         Must have appropriate mechanic’s toolset.

·         Ability to work assigned shifts.

·         Must possess a current driver’s license and have a clean driving record.

2)    Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Experience

·         Experience with fire body assembly to new or used chassis.  Experience with removal of fire bodies from chassis.

·         Experience with assembly of service bodies, hoists, dump beds, box bodies, etc. to chassis.

·         Experience with fire apparatus assembly/installation and/or light to medium duty vehicle maintenance and upfitting.

·         Ability to follow established WDS procedures, practices and specifications.  Ability to read instructions, diagrams, and fire body construction drawings.

·         Ability to quickly learn and understand the varying resource types, their designs, specifications, and intended uses.

·         Ability to understand the application of NWCG and NFPA specifications for wildland firefighting vehicles.

·         Demonstrated history of working in a behavioral-based safety culture in a corporate or shop environment.

·         Must be able to pay attention to detail, be service oriented, and have an excellent work ethic.

·         Ability to adapt with ease to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

F.    Physical Requirements

·         The physical demands described here commonly used and must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Other requirements could apply.

·         While performing the duties of this job, the candidate is regularly required to talk or hear, and must be able to lift up to 75+ lbs., bend, climb, stand for duration of shift, etc.

·         Candidate must have the ability to successfully pass a DOT Physical

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts WDS rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.