Summary:  

Directs the maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles as outlined by the VMF Supervisor. Performs extremely complex repairs on a broad range of equipment in the shop and in the field. Functions as a technical expert in the field of equipment and vehicle maintenance and repair. 

Position Responsibilities: 

• Directs the maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles. 

• Functions as recognized technical expert in the field of equipment and vehicle maintenance and repair. 

• Performs extremely complex repairs on a broad range of equipment in the shop and in the field. 

• Responsible for accomplishing corrective maintenance as outlined by VMF Supervisor. 

• Directs the work of VMF staff engaged in the repair and upkeep of mobile and stationary equipment, associated tooling and materials, and supporting parts stock. 

• Ensures work request priorities are completed and adjusts tasking as required to meet urgent needs. 

• Coordinates work orders and assigns personnel to specific tasks. 

• Executes and/or monitors all in-progress work to ensure quality, timely completion and control of material. 

• Documents work order progress and communicates issues with customers, Service Writer, and VMF Supervisor. 

• Maintains records of shop activities, on both individual work orders and permanent technical documentation (printed shop manuals i.e. Caterpillar, Canadian Foremost, some Ford manuals, etc). 

• Prepares and submits reports on the progress of all work projects. 

• Writes end-of-season performance evaluations on the heavy and light equipment technicians, and the technician assistant. 

• Generates purchase requisitions for materials. Provides assessments of and recommendations for equipment. 

• Complies with ASC Environmental Health & Safety and Quality Assurance requirements and goals and ensures that subordinate employees do the same. Provides documentation to others as necessary to ensure adequate legal documentation. 

• Handles confidential matters (personnel actions, management reports, etc.) in accordance with management policy. 

• Responsible for the training and development of the crew assigned, to include a strong safety culture and an environment of technical competence and professional execution of a world-class maintenance program. 

• Responsible for the safety and accountability of the crew assigned, to include maintaining a safe workplace program, and ensuring that safety is the highest priority in the workplace. 

• May work days, nights, or swing shifts depending on operational needs.  

• Assists other mechanics and members of the VMF team as required.  

• Performs other duties as required. 

Required Education, Experience, Certificates and Licenses:

• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience with heavy and light vehicle & equipment maintenance and repair, required.
• Must have proven leadership capabilities
• A minimum of one season VMF experience working in Antarctica required.

Expected Skills and Competencies:

• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Must be able to communicate well to both management and front-line service workers.
• Must possess critical problem solving and decision-making ability.
• Must have ability to work with minimal supervision and frequent interruptions. 
• Must be detail oriented and able to shift focus with changing priorities. 
• Proficiency in lifting and bracing large and heavy parts/equipment with jacks, cranes, floor lift and cribbing is required.
• Requires knowledge of sound mechanical practices as applied to commercial and special-purpose equipment, to include electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.

Preferred:

• Two years’ experience in a supervisory or leadership position
• Two years’ training at a technical school is preferred.
• Experience with generators, mobile cranes, light plants, compaction, ski resort grooming, waste management and firefighting equipment is highly preferred.
• Experience with Fuel Master (or equivalent fuel management software) strongly preferred.
• Must have computer experience, preferably with Windows 10 and Windows Office suite. Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with an asset management and electronic corrective maintenance program (Maximo preferred).
• Previous experience with remote polar operations is preferred.

Physical and/or Other Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to deploy to Antarctica for extended periods
• Successful completion of Medical and Dental examinations required by the NSF for deployment to Antarctica
• Successful completion of drug screening and background check required by employer
• Successful completion of Federal Background Check required by the NSF
• Must be willing and able to lift and move items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum as required by the position.
• Must be willing and able to perform physical activities including heavy lifting, climbing in and out of equipment, crawling, and working outdoors in extreme cold as required by the position.
• Must participate in community programs, such as “house-mouse” (chores), “daisy-picking” (cleaning-up around the station), recycling efforts & safety objectives.
• Valid Driver’s License issued in the United States
• Must be able to obtain and maintain facility credentials/authorization. Note: US Citizenship is required for facility credentials/authorization at this work location.