Manager, Infrastructure and Facilities Operations

UBC’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (MKRF) is part of the Faculty of Forestry, and is responsible for managing the University’s obligations and opportunities on 5,157 hectares of private forest located in Maple Ridge, BC. The MKRF provides a world class environment for research and education in forestry. It supports business partnerships within the forest, generating an annual gross revenue of up to $7- 9 million, including: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, a year-round meeting and accommodation facility located 6.5km from the main entrance to the forest; Gallant Enterprises Ltd., a custom-cut sawmill; and Wild & Immersive, an outdoor education program for children, youth and adults. In addition, the MKRF is a working forest, with annual logging and forest management activities operations. Because of the numerous operations that take place in the forest, the MKRF is managed by a close-knit team of individuals who are responsible for a large diversity of projects and tasks.

As the Research Forest grows and diversifies its business activities, the Manager, Infrastructure and Facilities Operations will be responsible for building maintenance services, ground maintenance, on demand service requests, repair and renovation of MKRF’s physical facilities, buildings, above and below ground infrastructure – and collaborating with the Resident Forester on critical road and bridge infrastructure maintenance and project development. This position also includes management of major capital projects across the forest, including upcoming plans for a new Welcome and Education Centre. The position is primarily from Mon-Fri during business hours (8-4 pm), but will also be on the 24/7 call-out list for emergencies, maintenance issues and utility outages. In addition, the position coverage for the Research Forest Manager and/or Resident Forester at the MKRF during both scheduled and unscheduled absences, averaging 30-40 days per year.

Organizational Status
Reports under the general direction of the Manager, MKRF.

Work Performed

• Provides strategic planning for capital and maintenance investments for MKRF facilities and above/below ground infrastructure to the MKRF senior management team.
• Meets regularly with MKRF leadership team to reassess current projects, adjust priorities, develop solutions, and shift priority between preventative and emergency projects.
• Oversee/Manage major, minor, and cyclical maintenance/upgrades, infrastructure projects and the full-cycle of construction and capital projects, which includes:
  • Overseeing tender and RFP processes, reviewing designs, selecting contractors, and managing project implementation.
  • Developing and managing project budgets, recommending corrective action, and implementing new or improved procedures to avoid re-occurrence of budget problems.
  • Managing contracts, to ensure deliverables have met contract requirements.

• Manages the MKRF vehicle fleet (e.g., work trucks, wheel loader, side-by-side, 15-passenger vans) including maintenance, investments, and compliance with UBC Safety and Risk Services requirements.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships and ongoing expectations with a variety of internal and external groups, such as vendors, UBC Vancouver Campus administrative departments, external agencies (e.g., Fraser Health, WorkSafe BC) and community organizations.
• Acts as liaison between MKRF staff and staff from Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre and Gallant Enterprises to limit business disruptions and ensure customer/client expertise are achieved.
• Lead the end-to-end process of recruiting, selecting, evaluating, supervising, and if necessary, terminating service providers, vendors, and contractors.
• Manages and directs wildfire prevention and response for both structural and wildland fires, including annual training for staff & summer fire patrol team, equipment management plan and related control measures.
• Leads emergency preparedness, planning, and response according to provincial and municipal legislation and operational requirements including fire, both structural and wild land, seismic and geotechnical emergencies, utility system failures, other environmental emergencies and theft and vandalism.
• Performs call outs in the event of emergencies and utility outages at the Research Forest.
• Develops and implement industrial safety programs/protocols and risk management at Loon Lake.
• Administers UBC and MKRF policies, procedures, and guidelines to support the objectives of the department.
• Oversee regular inspection of all grounds and buildings are completed in accordance with various codes to ensure compliance and that government certification is up to date to perform appropriate inspections.
• Develops and coordinates practical curriculum requirements for field schools.
• Performs other related duties in keeping with qualifications and requirements of the position.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Manages existing and new facilities and infrastructure to ensure that they meet all standards and policies, legislation, best practices, financial requirements and contributes to the strategic goals of the Research Forest. Failure to execute plans and prescriptions in a timely way threatens the financial viability of the unit. Application of inappropriate plans presents the University with environmental, legal, and financial liabilities – and could degrade the economic viability of the unit. Safety and security of all persons and projects on the Research Forest is a primary responsibility of this position.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Manager, MKRF. Participates in planning meetings with other management positions. Matters involving policy or liability are referred to the Manager, MKRF with suggested courses of action.

Supervision Given
Supervises up to 11 full time staff, temporary staff and part-time employees. In addition, this position directly supervises up to 25 contract employees involved in operation of timber harvesting, road and bridge construction and building maintenance and construction and 15 contract employees providing catering services.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Minimum of six years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- 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

• A university degree in a forestry program. A minimum of 6 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Related experience including specific knowledge of planning and operations on forest land in British Columbia.
• Familiarity with a wide range of Silviculture systems and logging methods is required.
• Class 5 Drivers License is required.
• Computer literacy, including word processing, spreadsheets, GIS/GPS and database applications is required.
• Proven abilities in written and oral communications are necessary.