Trades 2

Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Trades 2 - Steamfitter

Job Title

Trades 2 - Steamfitter (Utilities)

Department

Steamfitter Trades | Mechanical & Electrical Utilities | Engineering and Utilities | Energy and Water Services | Facilities

Compensation Range

$6, $7,226.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

March 5, 2026

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

This is a leave replacement for a fixed term duration.

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 Description Summary

Utility Steamfitters work under the supervision of the Head Utility Steamfitter. They work in the steamfitting shop with a crew of Steamfitters and assigned Labourers engaged in maintenance, installation and renovation work.

Utility Steamfitting Department assets encompass 2 Power Generation Plants and the primary District Energy System (DES) across campus. UBC houses 2 world class- cutting edge plants; one is a 45MW Natural Gas Class IV Power Plant & other is +15MW Biomass Class II Power Plants.

Duties include: system operating, preventative maintenance, repairs, alterations and reviewing installations of the underground DES piping and all Plant piping works. Operating and ensuring all this work will be performed in compliance with EN253, ASME B31.1 & Technical Safety BC regulations.

Organizational Status

The Utility Steamfitter reports to the Thermal Senior Manager and works under the general supervision of the Head Steamfitter of their assigned crew. The Sub Head provides daily supervision to Steamfitters, Labourers, Apprentices as well as other skilled workers in their assigned crew.

Work Performed

Supervises, organizes and allocates the work of Steamfitters, apprentices and assigned Labourers engaged in scheduled maintenance and installation activities.

Performs maintenance, repair and renovation work such as:

DES Outdoor Isolation Valves, DES Vents, DES Vent-valve-vent assemblies, Primary DES strainers, DES Indoor Isolation Valves, Control Valves, DES Energy meters & all affiliated instrumentation.

Carries out repair on machinery and Plant equipment; routine and inspection tests; leak detection, diagnoses defects in equipment, taking remedial action as required or recommending solution to Sub-Head Plumber verbally or written.

Assisted by the Head & Sub Head Utility Steamfitter, analyzes configuration DES system to determine appropriate reconfiguration for isolation or bypassing portions of the system. Performs quenching and flushing of sections of the DES system, as instructed by the Head & Sub-Head.

Performs regular inspections of DES manholes & chambers including confined space entry up to seven meters deep, following the confined space entry procedures.

Works from oral and written instructions and work orders. Also creates sketches, reads and interprets blueprints, schematics, other drawings and instruction books.

Assembles parts, equipment, fittings and joins them by soldering, brazing, gluing, screwing, caulking, bolting and other methods.

Works in correct/safe manner and in accordance with all safety standards, practices, procedures and ensures protective equipment is worn where required.

Responds to trouble calls and emergencies during normal working hours and after working hours in a safe efficient manner. Shares standby duty to maintain 24 hour, 7 days a week coverage. Shall be within communications range of UBC either by land line or cellular phone. When on standby, must be within 100 kilometers driving distance to UBC, within British Columbia, and not separated from UBC by ferries.

Uses all tools, equipment and instruments he/she is competent to use required for work and is responsible for the correct and safe storing of equipment.

Carries out inspections and tests.

Diagnoses defects in building systems or equipment and takes remedial action as required or recommends solutions to supervisory staff verbally or in writing.

Participates in training workers/apprentices as necessary.

Deals with day-to-day on-site problems by initiating appropriate action to correct the situation.

Participates in or performs the job duties of a steamfitter.

Prepares cost estimates for jobs and orders required materials.

Checks to ensure that work is completed in accordance with requirements and specifications.

Maintains work function related records, such as, timekeeping, costing, tools, equipment and work assignments.

Ensures that employees under his/her jurisdiction work in accordance with all applicable safety standards and practices and university and departmental policies and procedures.

Responds to service requests and emergency call-outs.

Coordinates with other shops.

Ensures good housekeeping is practiced in the steamfitting shop, assigned vehicles and on job sites. Ensures all tools, equipment and instruments required for work are safely utilized, maintained and appropriately stored.

Communicates with clients as required to ensure a quality customer service experience and the efficient delivery of service.

May be required to transport workers and equipment to and from job sites using assigned vehicles.

May be required to maintain, issue and keep records of a store of equipment and material required for work.

Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The Utility Steamfitter makes decisions regarding the organization and allocation of trades and laboring work and acceptability of work performed for their assigned area and/or crew; inappropriate decisions may result in service delays, costs and possible safety issues.

Supervision Received

The Utility Steamfitter reports to the Thermal Utilities Manager and works under the general supervision of the Head Steamfitter of their assigned crew. The Sub Head works from oral and written instructions, work orders, drawings and specifications on a daily basis.

Supervision Given

The Utility Steamfitter monitors and checks the work of apprentice(s) and Labourers as the need arises.

Minimum Qualifications

• Trade certification to journeyperson level as a Steamfitter and Valid BC Drivers License. A valid BC Gas Fitter B License with electrical endorsement for low voltage will come with a premium added to your base salary.

• 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

• Knowledge of relevant industrial safety regulations and building codes.

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Ability to follow Natural Gas line purging procedures. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships. Ability to work various shift patterns dependent upon operational needs. Ability to work in confined spaces and areas with elevated temperatures. Knowledge of welding practices and the ability to assist welders in the fabrication of piping spools. Basic ability to use a smartphone, tablet and PC. Ability to lift up to 40 lbs due to utility assets being housed in manholes, vaults and chambers.

• Ability to analyze and interpret drawings, specification and maintenance manuals and use this information to resolve technical issues using superior problem solving skills and innovation.
• Effective oral and written communication, organizational and problem solving skills.

Ability to work various shift patterns dependent upon operational needs.

• Proficient user of smartphones, tablets, PC's and Microsoft windows and office software.
• Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner and effectively resolve complaints in a calm manner; exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to explain, assign, and monitor work of their assigned crew; communicating clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively train, supervise, coach, mentor and motivate employees and proactively resolve conflicts that arise.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with team members and to lead by example; fostering a cooperative and respectful work environment for their crew.