Building Operator

BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU); Burnaby; On-site; CAD 118,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) is seeking a Building Operator in Burnaby, BC to maintain 13 union buildings across the province. The role reports to the Director of Facilities and uses CMMS daily to manage work orders and record-keeping.

You will operate HVAC, boiler, electrical and life-safety systems, perform routine maintenance, respond to alarms, coordinate contractors, and support safety compliance under WorkSafeBC requirements.

Qualifications

• Proficient in maintaining commercial/institutional building systems.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, boiler, electrical, life-safety systems.
• Experience with CMMS for work orders, preventive maintenance and asset records.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, inspect, and maintain building systems and controls.
• Perform routine maintenance on HVAC, boiler, plumbing, electrical and life-safety systems.
• Conduct scheduled building rounds and record readings.
• Coordinate contractors and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies; document actions and outcomes.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs and asset records.

Skills

HVAC systems

Power engineering

CMMS

Contractor coordination

Emergency response

Safety compliance

Documentation

Education

University degree in facilities management or engineering

Tools

CMMS software

Job description

Location: 4126 Norland Ave, Burnaby, BC V5G 3S8

Job Summary:

This hands-on position reports to the Director of Facilities and works closely with other Facilities staff, the CMMS Management Planner, and the Facilities Systems & Asset Analyst to ensure that the union's buildings are safe, well maintained, and operating effectively to service our membership. The BCGEU operates 13 buildings across British Columbia. The Building Operator checks in with the CMMS Management Planner each workday, receives work orders and direction through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), completes assigned work in a timely manner, and maintains accurate completion records.

Key Responsibilities:

Building Operator Activities

• Operate, monitor, inspect, test, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain assigned building systems, equipment, and controls.
• Perform routine and minor corrective maintenance on HVAC, boiler and pressure-vessel, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, controls, security, life-safety, lighting, building-envelope, interior, exterior, and grounds systems within the position's qualifications.
• Conduct scheduled building rounds, record operating readings, identify abnormal or unsafe conditions, and take appropriate corrective action.
• Act as the designated power engineer for assigned sites, where designated by BCGEU, in accordance with applicable certification and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and promptly report major building-system issues, equipment repairs, replacement needs, or work outside the position's scope to the Director of Facilities and CMMS Management Planner.
• Maintain inventory control of tools, equipment, spare parts, and supplies and advise when replenishment or replacement is required.
• Issue and maintain assigned security cards, keys, and alarm codes in accordance with approved access-control procedures and delegated authority.

CMMS Work Orders and Daily Coordination

• Check in with the CMMS Management Planner each workday to review priorities, site conditions, safety concerns, and assigned work.
• Receive, review, and complete preventive, corrective, inspection, and emergency work orders assigned or directed through the CMMS.
• Complete work orders within established priorities and timelines and promptly communicate delays, access issues, safety concerns, material needs, or changes in scope.
• Update and close work orders with accurate labour, material, equipment‑condition, action, and follow‑up information, including notes or photographs where appropriate.
• Assist the CMMS Management Planner and Facilities Systems & Asset Analyst by verifying asset information, equipment condition, service history, field measurements, and operational records.

Emergency Response

• Respond promptly to alarms, leaks, floods, loss of heat or cooling, power disruptions, equipment failures, security incidents, and other urgent facility conditions.
• Provide scheduled or directed after‑hours emergency response and support safe shutdown, temporary controls, service restoration, and follow‑up documentation.
• Contact emergency services or qualified contractors and escalate urgent conditions to the appropriate BCGEU personnel when required.

Contractor Coordination

• Coordinate contractor site access, orientation, shutdowns, permits, escorts, work areas, and operational requirements.
• Communicate approved scope and relevant building, safety, asbestos, security, and operational requirements before work begins.
• Confirm that required contractor certificates of insurance and WorkSafeBC clearance documentation are current and report missing or expired documentation.
• Monitor contractor work for adherence to scope, site rules, safety requirements, and workmanship expectations and report deficiencies promptly.
• Verify that completed work areas are safe and orderly and that required service reports, test results, warranties, and closeout documents are received.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Perform work in accordance with WorkSafeBC requirements, applicable codes, Technical Safety BC requirements, BCGEU policies, and established safe‑work procedures.
• Use required lockout, fall‑protection, electrical‑safety, hot‑work, ladder, chemical‑handling, and other controls within the position's training and authority.
• Support mandatory inspections and testing for life‑safety and regulated building systems and participate in safety meetings, drills, incident reporting, and corrective actions as assigned.

Policies, Procedures, and Records

• Use the CMMS and other approved BCGEU systems, including records‑management and service‑request systems, to maintain accurate maintenance logs and operational documentation.
• Assist with asset tagging, labels, signage, drawings, manuals, inspection records, equipment histories, and updates to established procedures.
• Follow BCGEU financial, procurement, records‑management, security, privacy, and operational policies and procedures.

Budget Support

• Provide requested maintenance records, contractor quotations, supply needs, and equipment information to assist the Director of Facilities and CMMS Management Planner with preparation of the annual operating maintenance budget.

Other

• Travel occasionally to other BCGEU locations within British Columbia to complete assigned work orders, inspections, emergency response, or operational support; travel is required for the position.
• Support facility and equipment logistics during labour disputes, emergencies, special events, or other operational requirements as directed.
• Perform other Building Operator and facilities‑related duties consistent with the position's responsibilities, qualifications, and assigned authority.
• A valid Class 4 Power Engineer's Certificate is required. Applicants without the certificate may be considered where they have a minimum of eight (8) years of directly relevant building operations, power engineering, facilities maintenance, or comparable work experience.
• Minimum of Eight (8) years’ experience performing at a senior level in commercial facilities management and building operations;
• A university degree in facilities management, engineering, building science, construction, environmental or occupational health and safety, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
• A minimum of two (2) years of direct experience working with asbestos‑containing materials and administering or managing an asbestos management plan is required.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience operating, inspecting, troubleshooting, maintaining, and performing minor repairs on commercial or institutional building systems is required.
• Experience with CMMS work orders, preventive‑maintenance programs, equipment records, and mobile or desktop maintenance technology is required.
• Experience coordinating contractors and supporting multi‑site facility operations and planned maintenance shutdowns is preferred.
• A valid B.C. Driver's Licence and the ability to travel occasionally to BCGEU locations throughout British Columbia are required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of commercial or institutional HVAC, boiler and pressure‑vessel, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, controls, security, life‑safety, and building‑envelope systems.
• Working knowledge of power‑engineering practices, operating logs, safe operating limits, and applicable Technical Safety BC requirements.
• Detailed knowledge of asbestos management plans, asbestos‑containing material controls, exposure prevention, contractor coordination, and required documentation.
• Knowledge of WorkSafeBC requirements, occupational health and safety practices, hazardous‑material controls, and applicable building and fire‑code requirements.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings, floor plans, technical specifications, equipment manuals, service reports, safety data sheets, and written procedures.
• Ability to use a CMMS to receive, update, document, complete, and close work orders and maintain accurate maintenance information.
• Ability to diagnose building‑system problems, perform safe minor repairs, recognize work outside the position's scope, and expedite appropriately.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergencies and communicate clearly during service disruptions.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, teamwork, customer‑service, verbal, and written communication skills.
• A proactive, detail‑oriented, practical, and accountable approach to maintenance, documentation, safety, and service delivery.

SALARY RANGE:

Bi‑weekly $4,540.28 - $4,932.63

Annually $118,452.73 - $128,688.86

Travel is required; therefore, applicants must hold a valid B.C. Driver's Licence.

The BCGEU supports employment equity. Indigenous workers, workers of color, women, 2SLGBTQI+ workers, and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with the BCGEU.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. To support this, we invite you to voluntarily complete a short self‑identification questionnaire.