This position is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and service readiness of all Alaska Directional (AKD) equipment used in horizontal directional drilling (HDD), FTTX/FTTH middle-mile, and other telecom and utility construction. The fleet spans Vermeer HDD rigs from the 330x550 maxi-rig class down to the 10x15 compact unit, support equipment including loaders, dozers, excavators, and vacuum excavation trucks, trailers, and the on-road fleet from half-ton pickups through CDL tractor-trailer units. Reporting to the General Manager of Operations, the Shop Manager keeps equipment available and reliable for year-round work in Alaska's conditions, leads the shop and yard team, controls maintenance cost, and ensures DOT/FMCSA fleet compliance and adherence to AKD safety and company standards.
Equipment & Fleet Maintenance
- Directs all maintenance, repair, and service readiness for the AKD equipment fleet: Vermeer HDD rigs from the 330x550 maxi-rig class to the 10x15 compact unit, loaders, dozers, excavators (track hoes), vacuum excavation (hydrovac) trucks, trailers, and the on-road fleet from half-ton pickups through CDL tractor-trailer units.
- Establishes and enforces the preventive and predictive maintenance program, service intervals, and readiness standards to maximize uptime on active projects.
- Performs and oversees diagnostics and repair of diesel, hydraulic, drivetrain, undercarriage, and electrical systems.
- Performs and oversees welding, cutting, and fabrication to repair, modify, and build equipment components such as rod baskets, racks, and custom mounts.
Fleet Compliance & Telematics
- Maintains DOT and FMCSA compliance for the on-road fleet, including annual inspections, DVIRs, maintenance recordkeeping, and out-of-service tracking; coordinates with HR on driver qualification files and CDL/medical card currency.
- Administers the fleet GPS and telematics systems and tracks equipment hours, fuel, fluids, and usage data to forecast service needs and control operating cost.
Shop & Yard Operations
- Schedules shop and yard workflow and manpower, assigns work, and approves overtime.
- Coordinates mobile and field service, dispatching mechanics to remote project sites to keep equipment running and minimize downtime.
- Supports equipment mobilization and demobilization, including load securement, oversize/overweight permitting, and transport scheduling.
- Coordinates warranty work, parts procurement, and OEM service support with Vermeer and other dealers, and manages parts inventory to appropriate levels.
Financial & Business Alignment
- Develops and manages the annual shop budget and controls maintenance and operating costs.
People & Safety Leadership
- Supervises, trains, and develops shop staff and conducts performance appraisals.
- Enforces safety policies, leads safety meetings, and maintains a safe shop and yard environment.
- Supervises shop mechanics, technicians, and assigned yard personnel.
Knowledge & Skills
- Working knowledge of Vermeer horizontal directional drilling equipment across the product range, including drives, mud and fluid systems, locating, and rod inventory.
- Knowledge of diesel, hydraulic, drivetrain, undercarriage, and electrical systems on heavy construction equipment and vacuum excavation units.
- Knowledge of DOT and FMCSA requirements for commercial motor vehicles, including inspection, maintenance, and recordkeeping.
- Proficiency with fleet and maintenance management software and disciplined equipment recordkeeping.
- Ability to read OEM service manuals, schematics, and diagnostic outputs, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Factory or dealer training on Vermeer HDD equipment.
- Welding and fabrication proficiency (MIG, stick, and cutting torch).
- Experience maintaining equipment in Alaska or cold-weather and remote field conditions.
- Fleet and maintenance management software experience.
- Based at the AKD shop and yard in Palmer, Alaska.
- Travel to project sites, including remote and rural locations, as required to support field operations.
- Offer contingent upon ability to pass a pre-employment drug test.
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work at any time without prior notice.
Bristol Bay Industrial (BBI) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
BBI and BBI member companies grant employment preference first to BBNC shareholders, their spouses or descendants, and second to other Alaska Native Corporation Shareholders in accordance with P.L. 93-638.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Associate's degree (A.A.) or certificate from a mechanical technical school and eight (8) years diesel and heavy-equipment mechanic experience on heavy construction and/or horizontal directional drilling equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading and supervising mechanics or technicians in a heavy-equipment or truck shop.
- High school diploma or GED.
Licenses & Certifications
- Valid Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) required.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. A pre-hire post-offer Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) may be conducted. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- MOBILITY: Must be able to access all controls and parts of machinery for service, and to push or pull 50 pounds for 20 feet.
- HEARING: Must be able to hear audible safety alarms.
- VISUAL ACUITY: Must be adequate to perform the listed tasks in a safe manner and to take hand signals from a ground man or flag man.
- LIFTING: Must be able to routinely lift up to 50 pounds floor to waist and 50 pounds waist to shoulder height, and carry 50 pounds for 20 feet.
RANGE OF MOTION: An objective range-of-motion measurement may be conducted during the
