EOAS Building Operations & Technical Services Manager

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Building Operations & Technical Services Manager to oversee the operation of their research facilities. This role will manage multiple buildings, support lab operations, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and lead renovation projects. Candidates need relevant trade certification and experience in facilities management. An excellent opportunity to contribute to a dynamic environment in Vancouver.

Benefits

Diverse workplace

Opportunities for professional development

Competitive salary package

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of related experience or equivalent education/experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the management of three EOAS buildings and support over 40 wet labs.
• Plan, coordinate and execute health and safety programs.
• Manage targeted lab and office renovation projects.

Skills

Project management

Budget oversight

Health & Safety compliance

Facilities management

Effective communication

Education

Journeyperson certification in an appropriate trade

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Facilities Management, Level B Job Title EOAS Building Operations & Technical Services Manager Department Administrative Leadership | Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences | Faculty of Science Compensation Range $6,251.00 - $8,986.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date August 27, 2025

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

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

The Building Operations & Technical Services Manager provides comprehensive management and operational oversight for building and research facilities within the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) at the UBC Vancouver campus. This includes the management of three EOAS buildings and support for over 40 wet labs, environment-controlled spaces, clean labs, a departmental machine shop, the EOAS Stores facility, and specialized research units such as:

• Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR)
• Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction Facility (EMXDF)
• Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU)

The Manager also oversees all aspects of facilities operations for other units located within the Earth Sciences Building (ESB), including the Dean of Science Office, Department of Statistics, and the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.

This role is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of health and safety programs within EOAS. This includes annual inspections, emergency preparedness and response, and active participation on the EOAS Local Safety Team (LST) and the Faculty of Science Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC).

Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and managing the allocation of departmental resources across minor, major, and cyclical capital projects.
• Overseeing operations of the Departmental Machine Workshop, EOAS Stores, Fleet management and Shipping & Receiving services.
• Ensuring that EOAS technical services effectively support the Department’s evolving research and teaching missions over time.
• Health & Safety programming.

Organizational Status

The Building Operations & Technical Services Manager reports directly to the EOAS Director of Resources and Operations. The position works closely with building occupants, including faculty, students, and ESB Department Administrators, as well as with key university service units such as Campus Security, Secure Access, Building Operations, and Project Services to ensure the effective operation and maintenance of EOAS and ESB facilities and physical infrastructure.

The Manager supervises a range of personnel, including student workers, support staff, technical staff, professional consultants, and contractors.

Work Performed

Project and Facilities Management

• Manages targeted lab and office renovation projects, including coordinating logistics, scheduling with contractors, and overseeing budgets and timelines.
• Leads contract development by identifying deliverables, drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and preparing budget estimates. Ensures effective communication with stakeholders and resolves project-related issues in consultation with the Director of Resources and Operations.
• Liaises with contractors, consultants, and UBC maintenance staff to ensure compliance with project specifications, timelines, and budgets.
• Contributes to the development of long-range plans for building improvements and infrastructure renewal within EOAS facilities by participation on departmental committees.
• Serves on committees such as the EOAS Local Safety Team and the Faculty of Science Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC), contributing expertise and insight to discussions on health and safety, space needs, renovations, and capital projects.

Space and Equipment Planning

• Advises faculty and researchers on the development and configuration of laboratory and research spaces, including recommendations for specialized infrastructure.
• Provides input into the design and functional use of space to meet safety standards and user needs, including HVAC, water, electrical, and data connectivity requirements.
• Acts as a resource on EOAS space management policies and procedures; implements decisions of the EOAS Space Planning Committee.
• Attends site meetings with university units, consultants, and contractors to monitor project progress.
• Oversees renovations to lab and office spaces for new faculty members and supports them in the planning and execution of start-up space and equipment needs.
• Supports facility modifications for new research equipment installations, such as in the EMXDF.

Technical Services & Fleet Management

• Leads the effective operation of the machine shop, technical services team and departmental fleet vehicle program.
• May liaise with faculty users and the machine shop team to negotiate technical project quotes and timelines for delivery.
• Monitors and reports on machine shop and technical services to Director, Operations and Department Head.
• Plans and implements business processes to improve the operations in the machine shop.
• Oversees the purchase of equipment, technical material, components, tools, and any other items required for the operation of the machine shop.
• Accountable for ensuring safety procedure and SOP documentation for machine shop, technical services and fleet management are in place and up to date.

Operations and Emergency Management

• Coordinates with contractors and UBC service providers on access, security, and utility shutdowns.
• Inspects in-progress work and identifies service or scheduling issues requiring corrective action.
• Responds to facility-related emergencies by liaising with first responders, resolving issues, and coordinating appropriate departmental responses.
• Leads the EOAS/ESB disaster response planning in partnership with other ESB departments and UBC central units.

Health, Safety, and Risk Management

• Acts as a primary contact for Campus Security, RCMP, Fire Department, and other safety stakeholders such as SRS.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant UBC and provincial health and safety regulations.
• Serves as Chief Fire Warden for EOAS/ESB facilities; provides initial response to alarms and emergencies in coordination with UBC Fire Life Safety.
• Oversees development and delivery of preventative maintenance and service request programs.
• Manages hazardous materials handling and disposal systems, including compressed gases and biohazards.

Resource and Budget Management

• Oversees reallocation of resources and budgets within EOAS facilities in consultation with the Department Head and Director of Resources and Operations.
• Prepares and monitors the facilities and technical services operating budgets, including forecasting, cost control, and justifications for expenditures.
• Manages financial resources across projects and identifies opportunities for cost efficiencies.

Supervision and Staff Oversight

• Directly supervises three staff members, including technical staff, with responsibility for performance management, workload distribution, and scheduling.
• Provides direction and oversight to additional staff and contractors supporting research labs and facility operations.
• Responsible for recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions in collaboration with Human Resources.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position is responsible for providing planning, procurement, and contract management advice and management and leadership support in the development of major and minor infrastructure projects. This position must exercise good judgment and ensure due process has been followed in all areas, with significant coordination with both internal and external stakeholders.

Failure to manage customer service request satisfactorily or detect and properly follow up on operations and maintenance issues could result in increased costs and setbacks to research programs. Failure to ensure that buildings are properly maintained could result in dissatisfied users, higher costs for increased repairs or maintenance and potential safety and security risks. Poor maintenance and operation of facilities poses significant challenges to on-going research and teaching operations.

Supervision Received
Works independently under established guidelines and policies and receives directives from the Director, Resources and Operations when responsibilities deviate from normal routine. Work is reviewed against set objectives.

Supervision Given
The Manager is responsible for providing direct supervision to two machinists/technical services staff and the Facilities & Technical Services Assistant. The incumbent also provides oversight and direction to multiple other staff members who are responsible for managing research laboratories, facilities and projects. This includes adhering to best practices, research protocols and guidelines to maintain high quality occupational health and safety standards

Minimum Qualifications
Journeyperson certification in an appropriate trade. Minimum of three years of related experience, or an 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

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, red-seal trade certification or a minimum of two years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work effectively, independently and in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to plan, prioritize and execute workflow to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with effective public speaking skills.
• Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
• Effective conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to coordinate and oversee multiple work processes and projects.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and problem solve.
• Experience or exposure to shipping and facilities management.
• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills.
• The ability to exercise tact, discretion, and to maintain composure in tense situations; professionally representing the Department, Faculty of Science, and University in all business dealings and negotiations.
• The ability to work with facilities end-user’s research and administrative staff to understand evolving requirements to accomplish core department work.
• The ability to strategize, and to identify opportunities and problems; to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritize and work on several concurrent complex tasks and to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of relevant occupational, health, and safety standards, as well as chemical safety and training.
• First aid certification preferred.
• A valid BC Driver’s License and safe driving record.