Facilities Maintenance Technician

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water. The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Métis Nation.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that its research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many regional schools come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems.

**Overview**

The Facilities Maintenance Technician will be crucial in maintaining the operational efficiency, security, and functionality of the facility. Working closely with the Facilities Manager, they will be responsible for the upkeep of infrastructure, equipment, and access roads. This role requires a versatile individual with strong mechanical aptitude to handle various responsibilities, from troubleshooting equipment issues to performing general maintenance.

Based full-time at the IISD-ELA site, the Facilities Maintenance Technician collaborates closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure the facility is fully operational and secure for both the site and personnel.

**Responsibilities**

**Facility Maintenance and Management**
- Provide technical services for maintenance, repair, procurement, and life-cycle management of infrastructure and mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and security systems and equipment.
- Conduct regular maintenance and monitoring of fuel and propane storage facilities, recording and reporting fuel usage, and making fuel orders as required.
- Maintain field equipment (boats, motors, snowmobiles, ATVs) and off-site facilities (trails, boat landings, docks) year-round.
- Manage utilities maintenance, including HVAC, structural/roof, roads/grounds, water supply, power supply, and plumbing.
- Troubleshoot, perform preventative maintenance, and make upgrades to equipment, including operating automated building control systems.
- Perform year-round maintenance on access roads, including winter plowing, washout repair, ditching, brushing, culvert replacement, and ongoing damage control.

**Data Collection and Record-Keeping**
- Assist in collecting data from the IISD-ELA Meteorological Facility and other research projects.
- Keep records for reporting purposes, including maintenance of water treatment equipment, water pumping data, sewage lift station pump hours, and other reporting streams.

**Supervision and Safety**
- Supervise staff and contractors as required.
- Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.

Other
- Perform other duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:
**Qualifications**
- Certification or apprenticeship in mechanical and/or electrical systems.
- Experience in one or more skilled trades is an asset.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**
- Skilled in troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of various equipment; may include vehicles or field equipment such as outboard motors, boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles.
- Knowledge of HVAC, roads/grounds maintenance, water supply, power supply, electrical and plumbing.
- Ability to perform year-round maintenance on access roads, including winter plowing, washout repair, ditching, brushing, culvert replacement, and damage control.
- Ability to collect data and keep records related to water treatment, fuel usage, hours of operation, regulatory compliance, etc.
- Ability to supervise junior staff and contractors as required.
- Strong interpersonal skills; collegial and community minded.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting aptitude.
- First Aid/CPR with AED
- Pleasure Craft Operator’s card
- Driver’s licence
- Additional interest in the overall research plan of IISD-ELA is an asset. Experience working and living in a remote facility is also beneficial to this position.
- IISD-ELA will require the completion of criminal record and child abuse registry checks.

**Working Conditions and Physical Demands**

**Working Conditions**
- Based at the IISD-ELA research station. IISD-ELA provides on-site living accommodations and food.
- Potential for periods of high workload, requiring efficient time management and adaptability.

**Physical Demands**
- Time at the IISD-ELA research station involves lifting and carrying heavy objects, equipment, and tools, potentially exceeding 20 kgs, as part of maintenance and repair tasks.
- Outdoor wo