Manager Plumbing and Gas

City of Vancouver; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 129,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Vancouver is seeking a seasoned manager to oversee the District Plumbing, Gas and Sprinklers Inspectors and administer the Provincial Gas Safety Regulations and Vancouver Building By-law – Plumbing.

In this senior role, you will lead staff, set inspection standards, ensure by-law compliance, and guide policy development on energy efficiency and safety, working closely with engineers, contractors and other city departments.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or diploma with 10+ years post-Red Seal or related discipline experience.
• Certificate of Qualification in Plumbing and Certificate of Competency as a Gas Inspector in BC.
• Management experience with large teams; leadership training recommended.
• Experience administering bylaws related to public safety and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Gas Safety Manager with statutory authority under Provincial Gas Safety Regulations and Vancouver Building By-law – Plumbing.
• Directs District Plumbing, Sprinkler and Gas Inspection staff and enforces bylaws and regulations.
• Directs the Supervisor and manages workload, reviews reports, and provides guidance.
• Oversees recruitment, orientation, training and staff development; manages performance.
• Interprets collective agreements and handles investigations under BC Safety Act.
• Develops and supports energy and water efficiency and safety policies.
• Responds to technical by-law questions from engineers, contractors and owners.
• Collaborates with Deputy Chief Building Official and Manager, Trades Inspection on standards.
• Assists with confidential planning including operations and budget; represents City in grievance processes.

Skills

Leadership

Project planning

Negotiation

Communication

By-law enforcement

Education

Engineering degree / diploma

BC Plumbing Qualification

BC Gas Inspector Competency

Leadership training

Job description

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

This position manages the technical and administrative activities of the District Plumbing, Gas and Sprinklers Inspectors and administers the provincial Gas Safety Regulations and Vancouver Building Bylaw – Plumbing. The incumbent, in consultation with the Chief Building Official holds final technical decision-making authority under the Provincial Gas Act and under provisions of the Vancouver Building By-law, technical decision making for plumbing systems.

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Holds the technical decision-making authority under the Provincial Gas Safety Regulations and provisions for the Vancouver Building By-law for Plumbing and is the Gas Safety Manager for the City of Vancouver.
• Manages and direct activities of the District Plumbing, Sprinkler and Gas Inspections staff who are engaged in responsible inspectional work enforcing compliance with the City of Vancouver Building Bylaw and Provincial Gas Safety Regulations and other related by-laws, codes and regulations.
• Directs the Supervisor reporting to this position with respect to the administration and technical requirements, policies and procedures of the by-laws administered by the branch including compliance and enforcement approaches.
• Ensures appropriate distribution of workloads.
• Reviews inspectors’ reports.
• Evaluates performance of staff and providing day-to-day technical guidance.
• Responsible for recruitment and selection and of Plumbing, Sprinkler and Gas Inspections staff.
• Responsible for orientation, coaching, training and development of Plumbing, Sprinkler and Gas inspections staff.
• Interprets and ensures the terms of applicable Collective Agreements as they relate to Plumbing, Sprinkler & Gas Inspections staff are followed.
• Responsible for investigation of gas incidents as part of the BC Safety Act.
• Develops and supports policies related to energy and water efficiency and safety.
• Answers technical by-law questions from engineers, contractors and owners.
• Works closely with the Deputy Chief Building Official & the Manager, Trades Inspection to develop and set inspectional standards for inspectors.
• Assists the Assistant Director of Inspections with confidential planning including departmental operations and budget management.
• Deals with staff disciplinary matters.
• Represents the Employer in the grievance process as required.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Position Requirements

• Completion of a professional university degree or diploma in engineering, building technology and minimum 10 years of experience after Red Seal qualification or related discipline or a Trades Qualification (Plumbing & Gas). Education should be supplemented by management and leadership training.
• Experience related to the administration of by-laws aimed a public safety and in developing policy.
• Must be a holder of a Certificate of Qualification in Plumbing and a Certificate of Competency as a Gas Inspector in British Columbia.
• Considerable related management experience (or an equivalent combination of experience) preferably in training and managing a large number of employees performing inspectional/regulatory duties.
• Experience planning, directing and coordinating the work of teams and working with individuals at all levels of the organization, including political and other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated ability in the areas of leadership, project planning and negotiating skills.
• A proven high degree of competence in the mechanical field with the ability to provide expert advice on plumbing, gas, and sprinkler design and installation problems.
• Knowledge of the Vancouver Gas and Building By-Laws as well as the Provincial Gas Safety Regulations.
• Knowledge of building design and construction issues as well as associated city approval processes.
• Experience in the administration and oversight of by-laws, governance structure and policy reviews.
• The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff, other inspectional disciplines, other civic departments, contractors, engineers, owners, and other government agencies is essential.
• Ability to influence others while respecting the sensitive and political challenges that impact decisions.
• The ability to provide leadership, including developing support for City-wide policy and procedures while planning, organizing, and managing the activities of the Branch.
• Ability to lead employees through organizational change.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to enforce by-laws and regulations with firmness, honesty, fairness, and consistency; preparing reports, answering correspondence, and making presentations; and the ability to represent the City on various internal and external regulatory and advisory committees.

Business Unit/Department: Dev Svcs, Bldg & Licensing

Affiliation: Senior Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Salary Information: Pay Grade 111: $129,375 to $170,231 per annum

Application Close: October 28, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).More about unceded traditional territories