Facility Management Operator

Job Number: 1596 
Job Type: Full-Time 
Location: 100 Maple Grove Rd - Regional Operations Centre 
Job Category: Other 
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Facilities Operations Housing 
Division: Engineering and Environmental Services 
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week. Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Union: CUPE 1656 
Grade: CUPE 1656 Grade 009S Skilled Trades 
Salary Range: $37.88 - $39.87 

**Note: As per the collective agreement, probationary employees will receive 5% less than the regular permanent rate of the classification they are employed in, until the completion of four (4) months continuous service or eighty (80) actual days worked, whichever is the greater. They will then commence receiving the regular permanent rate.

 

Our Story:

 

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.

This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.

The Role

Is assigned to a number of sites the Region owns in a designated geographical region, and is the lead to those sites responsible to ensure maintenance, emergencies, and deficiencies are dealt with.

Plans, directs, leads, and performs work for the operation and maintenance of various facilities. This includes delivery of corrective, demand, and preventive maintenance, rejuvenation, and restoration work associated with building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and environmental systems, building envelope and surrounding grounds, parking lots, and roadways at corporate facilities and sites (including social housing) to meet requirements for a safe and reliable workplace. Is responsible for tree trimming, weeds, snow removal, and fire hydrant repair work orders. 

Provides technical and operational advice to other divisional staff. Assigns, delegates, directs, coordinates, and oversees work performed by contractors and students. Assigns, delegates, coordinates, and oversees work performed by other staff. 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

  • Is first on site and determines who should do the work (self, staff, or contractor). After determining best approach, executes or directs schedulers on who is best to perform the work. Trains others, and assigns, delegates, coordinates, and oversees work completed by staff, students, and contractors. 
  • Ensures the completion of and carries out complete maintenance duties and breakdown service on building systems and operating equipment, including but not limited to: HVAC and associated water treatment systems, air handling and exhaust systems, make-up air equipment, steam and hot water boilers and equipment, emergency generators, suspended unit heaters, circulation pumps, electronic and humidification systems, sump and sewage pumps, automatic overhead doors, pressure washers, hot water recovery systems, chillers and cooling tower systems, building security systems, geothermal and fire and life safety systems.
  • Assists to develop a comprehensive preventive maintenance program. Implements and maintains the program and recommends adjustments in scope and frequency. After determining best approach, executes or directs schedulers on who is best to perform demand and preventive maintenance work orders. Assigns, delegates, coordinates, and oversees work completed by staff, students, and contractors. 
  • Develops work plans and reviews site conditions, considering proximity to utilities, properties, and other factors. Assists supervisor to plan and schedule annual programs and set priorities. Reviews daily work and provides updates regarding process. Makes operational, maintenance, and prioritization decisions regarding complex systems.
  • Organizes and sets up own work, including site and equipment clean up, circle checks, building sites. Collaborates to develop and maintain procedures for building maintenance.
  • Performs demand, corrective, emergency, and environmental maintenance, and repairs building operating equipment (e.g., bearings, pumps, motors, fans, pulleys, shafts; plumbing and electrical) according to license. Investigates requests, develops work plans, and recommends resources and level of coordination and effort following approved guidelines. Determines labour hours and parts and material requirements. Sources and procures parts, materials, and consumables from standing contracts and suppliers. Retains contractors per guidelines when required. Plans, directs, and leads work plans to completion to ensure efficient, coordinated jobs.  
  • Takes a lead role in major overhauls of equipment and maintenance repair tasks, as assigned. Oversees work completed by staff and contractors.
  • Monitors and operates building automation systems (BAS), low voltage lighting control systems, and associated computerized systems, and makes adjustments as needed to meet occupant needs. Writes building and project notices that impact public and internal operations. Directs external control systems technician monthly.
  • Participates to develop and implement energy management programs by scheduling BAS and lighting control systems to reduce equipment and lighting operating hours and provide for occupant needs. Recommends/provides input for energy efficient measures (e.g., operating strategy alternatives, product improvements, scheduling improvements).
  • Reviews, assesses, and creates requests to repair roads, parking lots, and potholes. Schedules and coordinates line painting for parking lots and roads.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

  • Responds to staff and client concerns and requests and troubleshoots to identify cause of failure and determine course of action; implements appropriate solutions (e.g., mechanical equipment, upkeep of buildings, property, climate control of individual zones).
  • Reviews plans and provides operational and technical expertise (within scope of trade) to other staff, engineering consultants, and architects regarding proposed plans and specifications, including structural, mechanical, and electrical components. Provides comments and proposes alternatives based on experience, trade practices, and code requirements. 
  • Participates to evaluate products, equipment, and methods used in facility property management.
  • Monitors site supplies and places orders to maintain set levels for operations.
  • Participates in service training and shares knowledge with colleagues. 
  • Participates in special projects (e.g., HVAC, BAS upgrades, site services and systems, renovations) as directed. Prepares scope of work, calls for quotes, establishes timelines, and identifies work restrictions. Assists to evaluate quotes and recommends contractor selection. Reviews, recommends, and signs off on contractor payments.
  • Completes hazardous material manifests and reports. 
  • Reports vandalism to supervisor, secures facility, and makes repairs as required/directed.
  • Deals with difficult and challenging contacts daily, including conflict resolution.
  • Reports tenant issues and concerns to Housing staff, and liaises regarding tenant behaviours and unsafe living conditions.
  • Maintains and completes documentation/records for projects, service work, maintenance, buildings, and equipment. Monitors/audits and ensures equipment and building licences remain current (e.g., elevators, fire life safety, water treatment). Maintains documentation and log books related to safety regulations. Reports conditions for investigation/correction and creates incident reports for insurance when required. Ensures completion of maintenance and work orders, and reviews contracted work as it relates to scope of work, technical accuracy, and performance.
  • Tests and schedules emergency generators, and is principle contact for emergency and fire life safety systems for assigned site(s).
  • Inventories and identifies system components and equipment. Assists supervisor to prepare property management manuals, and updates as appropriate.
  • Takes the lead on building inspections to determine priorities of health and safety and preservation of buildings. Has contact with building inspectors, TSSA inspectors, and contractors regarding equipment repairs/replacement work. Contacts vendors and suppliers for technical support and information.
  • Secures and maintains tools, equipment, and computers/devices in safe working condition. Reports need to repair or replace Region-owned tools/equipment to supervisor. Has a p-card and purchases materials. 
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Must have a Gas Technician 1 or 2 Certificate or maintain status as a Journeyperson in a compulsory trade in an environmental building system discipline (e.g., Construction & Maintenance Electrician, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (313A certificate), or Plumber (306A)). 
  • **The Region will strive to provide incumbents hired with a Gas Technician 2 Certificate opportunity to work on G1 equipment under qualified G1 oversight, so they can pursue a Gas Technician 1 certificate. Those incumbents must be willing to enroll in the G1 program within 5 years of hire.
  • Must have a related community college certificate (e.g., Class I Building Environmental Systems Operator) or equivalent (e.g., education and/or experience in each of 10 components of the certification program). 
  • Must have 5 years of experience in any combination of institutional, commercial, and mid to high-rise multi-unit residential building maintenance and construction, including working with other trades and contractors. 
  • Knowledge of facilities operations, maintenance management systems and procedures, and most building trade disciplines. Ability to keep knowledge and skills current as it relates to new buildings, materials, systems, and technologies.
  • Knowledge of and ability to comply with corporate policies, procedures, and standards; industry standards (e.g., ASHRAE); municipal by-laws; local utilities standards; TSSA requirements; LEED/ net zero carbon standards; and legislation and codes (e.g., fire, building, gas, electrical, health and safety, tenancy). 
  • Ability to remain current and update status with trade requirements. 
  • Proven skills in building maintenance, including HVAC systems, direct digital and pneumatic control systems, electrical, plumbing, variable air volume controls, induction systems, building automation systems, and water treatment systems.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and perform work, including determining time estimates, resource requirements, and coordinating components to complete jobs.
  • Analytical and problem solving skills to assess a range of problems and determine appropriate solutions. Ability to determine scope of work and manage projects from concept to completion. 
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively with limited direction.
  • Communication and human relations skills to interact, communicate, and exchange technical information with co-workers, suppliers, contractors, clients, and tenants, and participate as an effective team member.
  • Ability to read and understand schematics, blueprints, work orders, technical manuals, reports, instructions, and WHMIS, Ability to complete timesheets, work orders, material requisitions, and building records (manually or via computer).  
  • Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, a work order management system, and building automation systems.
  • Ability to program programmable logic controllers, microprocessors, and variable frequency drives.
  • Must have a valid G driver’s license (or G2 with 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable driving record to operate corporate vehicles. 
  • Must provide an acceptable security background check to meet requirements for working unaccompanied in police facilities. 
  • Must provide an acceptable police records check for bondability and for periodically working in housing units. 
  • Ability to participate in a regular standby/on-call rotation to respond to emergencies, call-outs, equipment failures, and breakdowns. Ability to work staggered hours, statutory holidays, weekends, and overtime as required/requested.
  • Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
     

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Internal 1656 applicants are required to submit a document with their name on it (or an optional resume).  1656 staff are encouraged to internally apply with an updated resume, especially for those job opportunities that are a promotional opportunity, so that their qualifications are appropriately captured during the screening phase.

 The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. The Region of Waterloo invites applications from all qualified individuals. We are strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from Black, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons. 

The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request.  Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application  Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).