Assistant Shift Operating Engineer

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Medical and dental benefits

Leave provisions

Job summary

National Research Council Canada is seeking an Assistant Shift Operating Engineer to support the Real Property Planning and Management Branch. The incumbent would maintain boiler room systems, air compressors, chillers, a gas turbine and steam distribution for the NRC Main campus on Montreal Road.

Rotating 12-hour shifts, 24/7 operation; must hold a Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate (TSSA) and meet safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of secondary school according to provincial standards.
• Must have a valid Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate issued by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
• Experience working in a complex, high-pressure steam plant.
• Experience performing maintenance and tests, keeping records and responding to power or equipment failures.
• Assets: experience operating in a first-class plant.
• Assets: experience with gas turbine co-generation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain boiler room, air compressors, chillers, gas turbine and steam distribution for NRC Main campus.
• Oversee water treatment of open and closed loops.
• Provide support for Shift Operating Engineers as required.
• Operate within a 12-hour rotating shift schedule (24/7).

Skills

High-pressure steam plant experience

Maintenance and testing experience

Record keeping

Rotating shift work

Education

Secondary school completion

Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate (TSSA)

First-class plant experience (asset)

Tools

Gas turbine knowledge

Water treatment knowledge

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Real Property Planning and Management

Classification:HP-3

Tenure:Continuing

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

Discover the possible

The role

We are looking for an Assistant Shift Operating Engineer to support our Real Property Planning and Management Branch. The incumbent would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.
Our Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) registered First Class High-Pressure Power Plant operates with a small team of Operating Engineers who are typically designated as Shift Operating Engineer and Assistant Shift Operating Engineer. The Operating team operates on a rotational 12-hour shift basis (24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year).
Under the direction of the Assistant Chief Operating Engineer, the Assistant Shift Operating Engineer would be responsible for all maintenance related to the boiler room, air compressors, chillers, gas turbine and steam distribution to the NRC Main campus located on Montreal Road. The incumbent is also responsible for the water treatment of open and closed loops. They are also called upon to provide support for the Shift Operating Engineers as required.
Steam production is provided by 4 boilers with an additional boost from the Heat Recovery Steam generator (HRSG) given the cogeneration aspect. The gas turbine generator forms the basis of the cogeneration having an electrical power output of 4.5 MW. This is a unique installation within a Federal Government facility setting.
As a federal employer, the NRC offers a great pension plan, medical and dental benefits and leave provision (3 weeks vacation, sick leave, family-related, personal leave) and also great opportunities for career growth within the Real Property Management and Planning Branch.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Successful completion of secondary school according to provincial standards.
Must have a valid Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate issued by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) .

• Experience working in a complex, high-pressure steam plant.
• Experience performing necessary maintenance and tests, keeping records and responding to power or equipment failures.

The following experience criteria would be considered an asset:

• Experience operating in a first-class plant.
• Experience with gas turbine co-generation.

Condition of employment

• Must be available to work on rotating 12 hour shifts as the heating plant operates 24/7.
• Must be able to possess and retain the physical capabilities to perform the position which include but may not be limited to: crouching, bending, twisting, walking, climbing stairs & ladders, ability to hear to diagnose mechanical troubles, and the ability to handle heavy and bulky objects.
• Must be able to obtain and retain a Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate issued by TSSA.
• Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Knowledge of operating and maintenance procedures related to the operation of a high-pressure steam and co-generation (gas turbine) plant and its distribution systems.
• Knowledge of electrical generation.
• Knowledge of boiler water treatment and cooling tower water treatment applicable to the occupation.
• Management services - Client focus (Level 1)
• Management services - Communication (Level 1)
• Management services - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 1)
• Management services - Results orientation (Level 1)
• Management services - Teamwork (Level 1)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Services .

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC has been chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers.
• In order to ensure a prompt and efficient processing of applications, candidates are encouraged to provide a copy of their Third Class Operating Engineer Certificate with their application.
• Willingness to work in confined spaces.
• Willingness to work at heights.
• Willingness to work in an environment that may include exposure to chemicals, dirt, noise, noxious odors, hazardous equipment, extreme temperatures and/or working in awkward conditions.
• Willing and able to work occasional overtime, including nights, weekends and statutory holidays.
• Shift work may sometimes be required on evenings and weekends
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (25956) to:

Closing Date: 1 October 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.