Facilities Maintenance Associate

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryNon Union Technicians and Research AssistantsJob TitleFacilities Maintenance AssociateDepartmentCenter Operations staff | UBC James Hogg Research Centre | Faculty of Medicine (Claire Smits)Posting End DateJune 12, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End DateJul 31, 2026

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
We are looking for a full-time (37.5 hours/week) individual to join our facilities and equipment maintenance team. The incumbent will be responsible for completing various maintenance/renovation/ repair duties throughout our research centre, located at St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver. This position will require the individual to draw on his/her's proven mechanical and troubleshooting abilities combined with a strong desire to learn new procedures and techniques when working with unfamiliar equipment.

The provision of technical support, maintenance, and repairs of facilities/equipment at HLI Research Centre. 

Organizational Status
Working with staff and faculty involved with HLI research Centre. Report and coordinate with the Facilities Maintenance Manager. 

Work Performed

• Completes preventive maintenance and troubleshooting tasks on various mechanical or scientific equipment.

• Communicates and provides input with senior management or lab personnel either verbally or written regarding maintenance, laboratory or safety concerns or questions.

• Performs requested electrical, mechanical, plumbing or carpentry repairs/ upgrades in laboratory or office settings either verbally or using a ticket/work order based database system.

• Assists and coordinates with researchers in projects that may include the installation and start-up of new laboratory equipment.

• Conducts online researches to obtain replacement parts for equipment in need of repair.

• Serve as a member of the Emergency Response Team to address after hour and weekend equipment emergency responses.

• Liaises with 3rd party service providers, contractors and vendors to perform repairs, calibrations, installations or removal of materials and performs follow-up checks to ensure completion of tasks to specified requirements.

• Assist when necessary with shutdown and restart of process and utilities systems during major maintenance activities or unplanned power outages.

• Maintains electronic and hard copy files related to maintenance activities.

• Conduct general office or lab moving events including assembly and disassembly of furniture.

• Participates and assists with the coordination of staff and student events which includes meeting room set-ups and other seasonal events.

• Partakes in any other related tasks as needed including assisting PHC trades, providing site tours to visiting researchers or students.

• Performs visual and computer monitoring checks to identify trends, uptime, failure rates, identifies trends, root causes for the continuous improvement and maintaining of the HLI Freezer Core program.

• Provides introductory instructions and training to new lab staff members on certain pieces of scientific equipment (autoclaves, centrifuges).

• Monitors and ensures the availability of mechanical or scientific consumables and purchases supplies when necessary.

• Aids senior members in the review of invoices, equipment purchases and writing reports.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors could potentially jeopardize research projects, equipment and personal safety.

Supervision Received
This position reports to the HLI Facilities and Equipment Manager, and maintains a positive, close working relationship with all respective research groups within HLI.

Supervision Given
Supervision will be provided when necessary to any staff/faculty of the HLI research centre  involving relevant equipment operation and safety. 

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• four (4) years of hands-on work experience in an equipment maintenance/repair shop, building maintenance or hospital setting (preference will be given to those with a degree, certificate or diploma in the trades).

• Possess initiative, attention to detail, strong organizational & critical thinking skills and exercises good judgment to deal with routine and unexpected daily challenges.   

• Must be physically able to complete assigned tasks that may require heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs), working in inclement weather and being on their feet for extended periods.

• Knowledgeable with choosing appropriate power equipment, electronic devices and hand tools to perform daily or unexpected tasks.

• Ability to understand new concepts and to learn new technical procedures as required to complete task.

• Capable to work with minimal supervision or with other team members to complete daily or weekly tasks in hospital and research environments.

• Proficience in reading, writing, and speaking English to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word, Powerpoint or Excel software.

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

• Experience with the following would be an asset:

A) An understanding of how Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems work, including their components, principles, and maintenance

B) Knowledge of laboratory safety, techniques & protocols

C) Reading construction drawings (As-Built)

D)Understanding and use of BMS (Building Management System) and DDC (Direct Digital Control) systems

Please send cover letter confirming your interest and describing why you are a fit for the position and resume to the CL e-mail address above. We thank you for your interest, however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

---