Job Description
Posted Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Position: Property Manager
Number of Position(s): One (1)
Position Type: Full Time Excluded position
Language Requirement: Bilingualism (English/French) is required
Reports to: Director of Property and Administration
Purpose: Ottawa Salus owns and operates 200+ units of housing, including apartments, communal living environments, transitional housing and a single family home, for clients who have serious and persistent mental illness. The Property Manager oversees the administration and coordination of Salus’ property management operations, ensuring the safe, sustainable, and efficient management of its housing stock. The Property Manager is responsible for operating and improving property-related services, including the management and supervision of maintenance staff, and contractor oversight. The Property Manager also plays a key role in achieving the agency’s strategic objectives by providing leadership in facilities management, compliance, and risk mitigation, ensuring that all maintenance and property management activities align with Salus’ vision, mission, and operational goals.
Accountabilities:
Areas of responsibility of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Property Maintenance & Operations
- Supervise and direct the maintenance team to ensure high standards of property upkeep.
- Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules and emergency response plans.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, property standards regulations, including fire code and building codes.
- Prepare RFPs, negotiate, and manage vendor contracts, ensuring cost efficiency and service quality.
- Oversee seasonal maintenance, including snow and ice removal, to maintain safe property access.
- Implement sustainability initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Tenancy Support & Compliance
- Collaborate with Housing Services in the administration and oversight of the tenant support registry in accordance with the City’s Rental Housing Property Management By-law.
- Ensure compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and oversee tenant accommodations up to the point of undue hardship.
- Collaborate with Housing Services to stabilize tenancies, resolving maintenance-related issues impacting tenant well-being.
- Manage capital and operational budgets for maintenance and property management activities.
- Provide input on financial planning for long-term asset sustainability.
- Monitor and manage costs associated with maintenance, repairs, and vendor services.
- Track and report on Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to maintenance efficiency, regulatory compliance and cost control.
New Development, Capital Planning & Warranty Work
- Bring an operational perspective to new developments from design through construction.
- Oversee new building commissioning and integration into existing operations.
- Oversee deficiency and warranty work, ensuring timely resolution and contractor accountability.
- Liaise with architects, engineers, planners, and contractors as needed.
- Conduct capital inspections, update Capital Asset Management Plans, and make capital budget recommendations.
- Support emergency planning, disaster response, and crisis management for Salus properties.
- Coordinate after-hours emergency maintenance services for Salus tenants and four YSB locations.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies to ensure service continuity and tenant safety.
- Ensure all buildings meet fire safety and emergency preparedness standards.
- Provide training for maintenance staff and other program managers to ensure preparedness for on-call emergency coverage and response protocols.
- Supervise, hire, train, and support the maintenance team, ensuring a productive and well-resourced work environment.
- Foster strong working relationships with internal teams, contractors, regulatory bodies, and community partners.
- Represent Salus professionally in external engagements related to property management.
- Promote an inclusive, diverse, and equitable work environment within the property management team.
Key Relationships:
- Internal: Senior Leadership, Management team, Salus staff
- External: Vendors, Contractors, Property Standards Officers, City of Ottawa representatives, emergency services, housing sector partners, architects, engineers, planners.
Suitability:
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a supportive housing environment with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use health challenges.
- Demonstrates competency as a supervisor under the OHSA.
- Capacity to navigate complex legal, regulatory, and financial considerations in property management.
- Strong decision-making skills and ability to balance immediate maintenance needs with long-term property sustainability.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Ability to remain professional, empathetic, and solutions-focused in high-pressure situations.
Knowledge:
- In-depth understanding of building operations, maintenance, and asset management.
- Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Ontario Building Code, Fire Code, municipal property standards, and employment standards.
- Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations, including WHMIS and AODA standards compliance.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.
- Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and procurement processes.
Skills:
- Strong leadership and staff supervision abilities.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in property management software, Microsoft Office Suite, and financial management tools.
- Ability to assess and manage competing priorities in a high-demand environment.
- Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Diploma or degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., building technology, construction management, property management, or a related field).
- Minimum of five years’ experience in residential property management, including staff supervision, preferably in a unionized environment.
- Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, building envelope, and accessibility requirements).
- Familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), the Ontario Building Code, municipal property standards, fire safety codes, and employment standards.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with mental health and substance use health challenges.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
Hours of Work:
- In addition to regular business hours, this role requires participation in the manager on-call rotation and flexibility to work weekends as needed to support operational needs.
- This includes overseeing maintenance emergencies and seasonal tasks such as snow removal to maintain safe property access.
Pre-hiring Requirement
- Use of own vehicle and valid driver’s license.
- Academic certificates.
- Medical certificate.
- Criminal reference check.
- Eligibility to work in Canada.
- Proof that the successful candidate has received both doses of a Health Canada approved COVID 19 vaccine at least 14 days before the first day of work, subject always to Ottawa Salus’ duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Why work at Ottawa Salus?
Salus has a proven record of successfully supporting clients with serious and persistent mental health and substance use health issues to live their best possible life. Regardless of their role in the organization, our staff are passionate about their work and supporting clients on their journey to recovery. They know they have an impact on their client’s lives and consistently report that working here is a fulfilling experience. If you are someone that wants to make the world a better place and bring hope to others, you will love working here.
We offer all these and many more including:
- Competitive earnings
- Generous Health benefits and pension plan (HOOPP)
- Compressed workweek
- A friendly team who creates a great work environment