Breakdown Recovery Technician
Mechanic Recovery [Army]

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• A commercial driver’s license
• At least one year of commercial driving experience
• Strong communication and time management skills
• Basic mechanical skills
• Attention to detail when documenting work - good at record-keeping
• Physical strength and stamina
• Honest and reliable
• Calm, helpful and diplomatic when dealing with customers
• Efficient and able to work well under pressure
• Wear protective clothing at all times when driving or operating a tow truck
• The ability to operate a tow truck safely and tow vehicles without damaging them
• An understanding of the locking mechanisms of different types of vehicles
• Basic mechanical skills to fix minor mechanical problems or release handbrakes
• Knowledge of their local area

(Source: Autoguru)

Duties and tasks

• Receiving communications from company dispatcher.
• Travels to scene of accident, illegal parking or other situation requiring towing
• Respond to accidents, break-downs, and other roadside incidents
• Interacting with the customer to find out the nature of the problem
• Performing roadside vehicle diagnostics
• Performing minor repairs
• Jump-starting vehicles, changing tyres and reconnecting vehicle parts
• Suggesting a course of action
• Attaches towing equipment to vehicle or winches vehicle onto tilt-deck winch- truck - attach cables, chains or other equipment and winch the vehicle to towing elevation or onto the truck flatbed
• Connect any necessary lights to the back of the vehicle
• Tows vehicle to depot or other location [wrecker's yard or scrapyard]
• Stay in contact with motorists when you are en route
• Perform basic repairs or tow their vehicle to a garage
• Safely load cars onto the back of their truck
• Keep their truck clean and in good condition
• Remove illegally parked vehicles
• Carries out winching and heavy salvage
• Remove any debris caused by, or relating to, the motor vehicle being towed unless otherwise directed by a police officer
• When attending the scene of a motor vehicle accident, they must comply with any reasonable direction given to them by an authorised officer, police officer or emergency services officer who is present at the scene and is exercising his or her official duties
• Maintains and repairs equipment
• Keeps records - completed paperwork in terms of call logs, battery invoices and cash receipts
• Reporting to base and completing paperwork
• Provide Police Impound Insurance tows through Central Dispatch
• Honouring service contracts for car dealerships by providing road side service 24 hours/day

(Source: Zip Recruiter)

Working conditions

​Tow truck operators:

• usually do shift work, including nights or weekends, and are not allowed to work for more than 13 hours in one day or 70 hours in one week
• work from their truck and depot, and outside on roadsides and in parking lots
• work in conditions that can be dangerous, such as accident scenes and busy roads.

Tow truck drivers may be called out at all hours of the night and in bad weather.

Tow truck drivers hook up heavy machinery and vehicles to trucks daily, putting them at risk for many physical injuries including:

* Back and neck injuries
* Musculoskeletal injuries
* Repetitive stress injuries
* Strains and sprains

Tow truck drivers may also be seriously or fatally injured outside of their vehicle. Drivers typically load vehicles onto the tow truck on the side of the road, where they are at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic. Another hazard of the job is workplace assault – irate car owners may become violent with tow truck drivers as their vehicles are being prepared to be towed away.

Tow truck drivers are often called to the scene of horrific accidents. However, unlike fire fighters, police officers and other first responders, they do not have access to formal mental or emotional support systems.

Tools and Technologies

A tow truck operator may drive one of three kinds of trucks. Conventional tow trucks are equipped with a hook and sling that the operators use to raise one end of a disabled vehicle for towing. Operators of wheel-lift or full-float trucks use winches to lift cars and place support wheels under one or both axles for towing. Flatbed trucks are used for transporting more expensive cars. Operators lower the truck beds to the ground, winch disabled vehicles onto the beds, and then raise the beds for driving.

In all cases, operators may attach steering locks, chains, or lights to disabled vehicles so they can be moved safely.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Tow Truck Driver without formal qualifications. Some States require driver certification. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate III or IV in driving operations might be helpful.

Employment Opportunities

Tow truck operators may progress into management roles or set up their own tow truck business.

They may also move into other transport-related jobs, such as heavy truck driving.

Did You Know? (Source: FanPop) Sir Tow Mater KG, most commonly referred to as Tow Mater or simply Mater, is one of the main characters in Cars and its sequels, Cars 2 and Cars 3 as well as Cars Toons. He is voiced by Larry the Cable Guy and inspired by a 1956–57 International Harvester Tow truck and 1955-1957 Chevrolet Task Force. Portrayed as Holley Shiftwell's boyfriend and best friend; and,, Lightning McQueen's best friend and sidekick, he had a breakout role in Cars Toons: Mater's Tall Tales and in other media related to Cars. Mater's Funniest Moments! | Pixar Cars https://youtu.be/h3fKFocGkkk

A vehicle recovery technician is the driver of the recovery vehicle tasked with assisting immobile cars and commercial vehicles on Australian roads.

The vehicle breakdown sector is a huge industry. The wet winter weather or hot dry summer weather can cause a great number of vehicle breakdowns, and the sheer number of cars on the road results in escalating numbers of car accidents. When an immobile vehicle needs to be removed from site, it is the vehicle recovery company which is tasked with collecting the car(s) and its passengers. The vehicle recovery technician will drive the recovery vehicle to site, attempt minor repairs, load the car onto the truck if repair is unsuccessful and deliver the vehicle and its occupants to safety.

Some companies offer only a recovery service, whereas others have more comprehensive arrangements in place to repair stricken vehicles. Repairing a car at the roadside is a potentially hazardous activity, and repairs can only be completed where there is very limited threat to health. Anything beyond simple tyre, electrical or fuel connection issues usually require that the vehicle be towed to a repair facility, in which case the car is safely loaded onto the recovery truck and moved to a local garage.

(Source: Road Sider Response)

ANZSCO ID: 321211
  
Alternative names: Vehicle Recovery Technician, Road Assistance Technician, Road Assistance Mechanic, Breakdown Truck Driver, Breakdown Technician, Mechanic, Car Breakdown Assistance Engineer, Recovery Driver
  
Specialisations: Battery installation, 
  
Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Be able to reassure a motorist who may be in a state of stress or panic

• Have a thorough understanding of car mechanics to fix the car and send it on its way

• Have a strong appreciation for road health and safety threats whilst recovery is in process

• Be able (and licensed) to drive the recovery vehicle safely (if needed)

• Be able and willing to work in difficult roadside conditions, and in adverse weather

(Source: NRMA Roadside Assistance)

Duties and Tasks

• Understand the instructions relating to the breakdown recovery and respond as appropriate

• Reach the stranded vehicle in as timely a manner as possible

• Reassure and assist the stricken motorist

• Load the immobile vehicle onto the recovery truck in a safe and secure manner - if required

• Safely return the driver to an appropriate drop-off point

• Handle all of the recovery and breakdown insurance paperwork

• Deliver the immobile vehicle to the pre-agreed delivery point

• Remain mobile and in constant communication with the office
  

Working conditions

All of the work takes place outdoors. This subjects the candidate to much adverse weather, particularly in Australia where the summer months take their toll on the reliability of motor vehicles. The hard shoulder of a motorway is an uncomfortable, hostile and dangerous place, and the candidate should have an excellent common-sense approach to protecting themselves, the stricken motorist and the vehicle being recovered.

Recovery drivers who attempt to fix cars at the roadside face a trickier task than counterpart mechanics who work in a garage or workshop; sometimes they have to improvise repairs without the appropriate tool falling to hand. Some recovery companies place heavy demands on their recovery drivers during summer months, where there may be as many as fifty “flat battery calls” a day.

Tools and technologies

(Source: Digi Call Assist)

Roadside assistance is an increasingly sophisticated tech operation. The technology starts at the contact centre when a broken-down motorist calls in. Technology systems mean that one third of vehicles are mobilised over the phone – so the motorist is back on the road a few minutes after making the call.

For cars that need hands-on assistance, technology then extends to the despatch system, where the closest available technician accepts the job within minutes and provides an estimated time of arrival. The motorist waiting at the roadside then receives a tracking link via SMS so they can see who is coming to help, and get real-time updates on the location and ETA of the technician, providing peace of mind in an often-stressful situation.

If needed, motorists can be auto-located if they’re not sure where they are. Once the technician has completed helping the motorist at the roadside, all necessary photos and signatures are captured and uploaded on the spot, providing ultra-efficient and cost-effective service.

Education and training/entrance requirements

AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

There is a standard requirement of three years’ experience working in a car mechanic role before candidates can be considered for this job. In addition, candidates are usually required to complete a driving assessment. At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing may be required.

Employment Opportunities

Many recovery drivers who develop their experience working for breakdown recovery service companies choose to set up their own recovery companies later in their careers. This involves a significant risk and the expense of initially injecting capital for vehicle and tool purchase costs. Some recovery technicians choose to specialise with a specific type of vehicle, for example, farming machinery, commercial vehicles or tracked vehicles. Again, this requires specialist equipment and investment on the part of the business owner.
Employers

In Australia, some of the biggest recovery companies include the NRMA, AAMI, RACV. These are companies with a long history of service in the vehicle recovery sector, and are generally recognised as being the market leaders domestically.

(Source: Truck Assist)

A Recovery Mechanic (Mechanic Recovery) serves in the Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME). They experience the unique adventures and challenges that come with providing recovery support to Army’s vehicles and equipment, whenever they have become bogged, broken down, damaged or disabled. They are responsible for the salvage, recovery and towing of the Army's vehicles and equipment when they become bogged, broken down, damaged or disabled. The Recovery Mechanic operates a variety of specialist trucks and armoured (tracked and wheeled) recovery vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with winches, towing equipment and cranes.

 You need to be quick-thinking, confident and enjoy being hands-on – with your expertise as a Recovery Mechanic being in high demand, to aid in the overall battlefield effort. You will receive world-class training so you are able to recover all types of Defence Material, utilising state of the art medium and heavy recovery vehicles, including leading edge, specialised tracked and wheeled armoured recovery vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with winches, towing equipment and cranes.

Recovery Mechanics are employed at bases across Australia and can be deployed operations around the world.

ANZSCO ID: 441111

• able to cope with the physical demands of the job
• enjoy technical work
• good interpersonal and communication skills
• good organisation skills
• meet aptitude and medical requirements
• at least 17 years of age
• Australian citizenship

   
(Source: Defence Jobs)

• Interpret and maintain technical documentation.
• Provide technical maintenance of Army’s Lifting, Recovery and Tie-Down Equipment.
• Use recovery vehicles and equipment along with your training in recovery theory to work out how to retrieve/extricate immobile manoeuvre assets (wheeled and tracked). This may involve the use of winches, cranes, gas cutting equipment and even explosives to get the job done.
• AAbility to work independently or as a small team leader for extensive hours in high tempo conditions in combat, non-combat and peacetime operations.
• Provide assistance over rough going and/or boggy terrain in order to keep the fighting force advancing towards the objective.
• Help to recover damaged vehicles and rescue stranded soldiers
• Work at the centre of the action
• Use cranes, lifting gear and training in mechanical theory to work out how to retrieve immobile vehicles
• To keep the fighting forces moving forwards

Education and training/entrance requirements

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics. To be enlisted or appointed, you must be medically and physically fit for entry to your chosen occupation. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.

You will also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness test before appointment.

All applicants must hold a current provisional/probationary drivers licence. If a candidate has a civilian licence that is under suspension or has been cancelled, they will not be eligible to enlist into this role until such time that the suspension or cancellation has been lifted or has expired.

The application process to join the Australian Defence Force requires you to complete a series of aptitude tests which may include verbal, spatial and numerical ability and a general maths test. Some jobs may also require you to complete additional testing at a later date.

Psychology support staff will explain what is involved with each test.

The aptitude tests provide information about your suitability for the Defence Force and for particular jobs.

Employment Opportunities

Recruitment to the Australian Defence Force is conducted on an Australia-wide basis all year round.

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

Armoured Car Escort	Army Officer	Call Centre Operator	Delivery Driver
Forklift Operator	Furniture Removalist	Garbage Collector	Livestock Transport Driver
Logging Truck Driver	Mechanic	Oversize Load Pilot	Supply, Distribution & Procurement Manager
Transport Company Manager	Truck Driver

Material sourced from
CareersOnline [Army Soldier Tradesperson;]
Zip Recruiter [Tow Truck Driver; ]
Better Team [Tow Truck Operator; ]
HG Legal Resources [Tow Truck Drivers and Mental Stress;]
Work Chron [Tow Truck Worker; ]
Job Hero [Tow Truck Driver; ]
Fair Trading NSW [Tow Truck Diver Info Sheet;]
Defence Jobs [Recovery Mechanic; Reserves; ]
Careers State University [Tow Truck Operator; ]
Wintec [Tow Truck Operator; ]
Web Archive Only - My Job Search [Breakdown Recovery Technician; ]
Digicall Assist [Technology; ]
UK Army [Recovery Mechanic; ]
Your Career [Tow Truck Driver; Defence Force Member - Other Rank; ]