Technician V

University of British Columbia - Staff; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Technician V to supervise and maintain its metal workshop and related facilities. The role supports student training in creative trades and involves various technical tasks including the operation of CNC machinery. The successful candidate will have a strong work ethic, excellent technical skills, and experience in workshop management. Opportunity for professional growth while fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years’ work experience in private sector or educational environment preferred.
• Experience operating and maintaining CNC and workshop equipment.
• Valid BC drivers license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and maintain FCCS metal workshop and studios.
• Train students in metalworking and safety protocols.
• Maintain safety records and equipment.

Skills

Metal working skills

Cross-sectional fabrication

Technical problem-solving

Computer skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Education

Completion of secondary school (grade 12)

Undergraduate degree in Fine Art or Design

Trade certification (Welding, Metal Fabrication)

Tools

CNC Machinery

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

SolidWorks

SketchUp

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category BCGEU Okanagan Support Staff Job ProfileBCGEU OK Salaried - Technician V Job Title Technician V Department UBCO | Technical Management | Department of Creative Studies | Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Compensation Range $5,202.00 - $5,963.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date June 14, 2025

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

Job End Date

JOB SUMMARY

The Studio Technician is responsible for the supervision, operation, safety and maintenance of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) metal workshop, and studios. The position supports and supervises students’ practical activities at all academic levels and supports all FCCS program areas by providing technical instruction in these spaces. Working under the supervision of the FCCS Technical Director (TD), the incumbent will perform a variety of building, fabrication and manufacturing tasks, encompassing a broad range of materials, techniques, trade skills and creative disciplines. The position also assists with UBCO Art Gallery installations and supports the TD with other administrative and research related projects as required.

Key responsibilities include training, supervising and instructing students; delivering metalworking, welding courses and safety training; maintaining studios and workshops; performing high-level manufacturing tasks and operating Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery, including plasma cutters, mills, laser, waterjet cutters and 3d Printers. The position also produces Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings for CNC applications, operates traditional workshop tools and machinery (metal, wood, sculpture & ceramics), and ensures the safe operation and maintenance of all related equipment. Fabricating/installing bespoke furniture and contributing to the ongoing improvement of all FCCS facilities is also key. Administrative responsibilities include purchasing materials, tracking inventory and maintaining Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) documentation.

Success in this role requires a strong work ethic, a collaborative interdisciplinary mindset, adaptability/resourcefulness, advanced problem-solving/finishing skills and a commitment to learning and integrating emerging technologies. The position is physically demanding and requires standing for long periods of time on concrete surfaces and handling heavy objects.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This position reports to and receives instruction from the FCCS Technical Director.

The incumbent will provide technical training and supervision to students supporting fabrications relating to pedagogy across all academic disciplines and levels. They will also work closely with FCCS Technicians, office staff and faculty, extending into the broader campus community; including shipping and receiving, HSE, Facilities Management (FM) and some external suppliers and agencies.

UBCO currently houses one university gallery, but will be opening a new space in 2027-8 in downtown Kelowna that will cater for domestic and international touring exhibitions. FCCS occupies multiple buildings on and off campus, all of which are supported by this position. Travelling to these sites and to other locations to support UBCO’s community art projects is a necessary aspect of this role. This may involve building architectural installations (walls, cabinets, and props), installing and hanging works of art/audio visual (AV) equipment and assisting in the manufacture of new artworks and installations as required. Project installations may be conducted in both indoor and outdoor settings and are carried out year-round.

The workshops and galleries will occasionally be used by other divisions of UBCO and by visiting artists/designers and researchers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Studio Technician responsibilities include:

• Delivering mandatory metal workshop safety training sessions (VISA 090) to all new students (students must pass this training session to work in the metal and/or wood shop).
• Working with students to provide training, supervision, and technical assistance in line with developmental and capstone projects.
• Operating and demonstrating the use of specialized equipment and techniques for a multitude of tools and machinery.
• Assisting with and fabricating complex projects using a variety of modern and traditional workshop machinery, as directed by TD.
• Ensuring workshop safety protocols are adhered to at all times.
• Maintaining and servicing all workshop equipment and tools.
• Assisting in the production and implementation of safety documentation.
• Delivering workshop safety training sessions to faculty as required/appropriate.
• Maintaining records of trained students and other authorized users for the metal shop, consistently updating and evaluating students/faculty on their ability to handle materials and use equipment safely.
• Keeping up-to-date metal/sculpture shop equipment safety manual, with operational guidelines for all equipment.
• Providing consultation to students, research assistants and faculty, recommending appropriate manufacturing techniques and best-practice methods, including logistics and feasibility of project concept.
• Supporting the year-end exhibitions by providing technical guidance and recommending suitable/safe installation/presentation methods.
• Providing supervision to faculty when using the workshop facilities.
• Adapting equipment needs to suit changes in curriculum.
• Creating or editing CAD and vector drawings to facilitate the use of CNC equipment.
• Using CAD to demonstrate outcomes and recommend practical solutions when needed.
• Modifying and adapting existing apparatus to meet specialized requirements.
• Supporting and coordinating projects by applying trade skills, expertise and quality assurances.
• Assisting with the installation and lighting of UBCO gallery and student exhibitions.
• Willingness to be trained in the use of new equipment and software as necessary.
• Performing additional operational/manufacturing duties as requested by TD.

Maintains a safe and well-organized working environment by:

• Ensuring that the studios, workshops and related spaces are clean, tidy, function safely, purposefully and efficiently, according to Work Safe BC and University HSE Standards.
• Developing and implementing training materials for shop safety, consistent with Work Safe BC and University’s HSE guidelines.
• Diagnosing problems, cleaning, repairing and calibrating equipment as required, and maintaining service records.
• Demonstrating safe and proper usage of workshop machinery to staff, faculty and students.
• Recommending practical solutions relative to feasibility, competency level and concept.
• Demonstrating the safe and proper use of all equipment.
• Planning, organizing, coordinating assignments according to priority.
• Ordering materials as outlined by University and School policies and procedures.
• Organising stock items, workshop inventory, consumables and equipment to meet teaching, operational and research needs.
• Consistently updating training materials and maintaining manufacturer’s operation manuals.
• Maintaining Workplace Hazardous Materials and Information Systems (WHMIS) records, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) documentation and associated safety procedures.
• Designing, fabricating and/or purchasing safety equipment such as specialized jigs and guard systems to adhere to evolving safety needs as they evolve.

Manages equipment, purchases and inventory by:

• Making approved purchases and maintaining purchase records for VISA purchases.
• Tracking cost recovery and materials purchases within the Touchnet payment system.
• Sourcing and purchasing equipment and products in line with UBC’s purchasing policy and with approval of line manager.
• Keeping a running inventory of tools and ensuring consumable supplies are stocked.

Performs safety management by:

• Assisting with the implementation of policies, access controls, and procedures to fulfill safety protocols as regulated by university’s HSE policies.
• Storing, dispensing and transporting chemicals, acids, solvents and gasses properly by educating students and faculty on the WHMIS guidelines for the proper handling of chemicals and dangerous substances.
• Monitoring tool lending, procedures and providing safety instruction.
• Maintaining safety gear, eye wash stations, fume hoods, first aid and spill kits.
• Updating SDS records and binders, ensuring they are available in the appropriate locations.
• Following government and HSE guidelines for the handling of hazardous waste and using the Risk Management Hazardous Waste Disposal System.
• Creating work orders through Facilities Management to initiate any base building repairs or hazards.
• Performing other related duties within reason and as directed.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR/JUDGEMENT

Safety and competency:

The employee consistently makes judgements about safety and is responsible for creating and maintaining safety records and for the proper storage/use/disposal of hazardous chemicals. During workshop/project supervision and equipment handling, the employee must remain attentive and assess the situation at all times, continually overseeing and evaluating user competency. Workshop tools and machinery can be potentially very dangerous, and errors in judgement can result in serious personal injury or even fatality. Poorly maintained equipment is negligent and is not only be detrimental to work outcomes, deadlines, and budgets, but can greatly increase the chance of serious personal injury.

This position manages a maintenance, consumables and cost recovery budget which is allocated annually. Mismanagement of this budget or poor tracking of the Touchnet payment system could have significant financial implications for the faculty.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The employee reports directly to the FCCS Technical Director, but is expected to initiate most tasks independently. The TD will provide support to coordinate and prioritize tasks across the various faculty and departmental areas. They will make purchases as approved by the TD, communicate problems, and on occasion write reports.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

This position is required to supervise graduate and undergraduate students’, visiting artists’ and faculty (where necessary) in the workshop and gallery.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Work Experience

• Completion of secondary school (grade 12) or equivalent is essential.
• An undergraduate degree in Fine Art, Design or other relevant area is preferred, but a trade education combined with transferrable work experience will also be considered.
• A minimum of four years’ work experience in the private sector or educational environment is preferred.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining CNC and/or traditional workshop equipment is essential.
• Trade certification in (MIG/TIG) welding and/or metal fabrication is preferred.
• Training in the handling of hazardous materials (WHMIS) is preferred.
• First Aid training is an asset.
• A valid scissor lift license preferred.
• A valid BC drivers license is essential.

Performance Competencies and Criteria:

The working environment for this position involves standing on concrete for long periods of time and being subjected to high levels of noise and particulate. The employee will be in contact with potentially dangerous equipment and hazardous materials. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn for many tasks, such as respirator, safety eye wear, hearing protection, gloves etc. Some ladder and scissor lift work is required. The position is in-person and cannot be performed remotely, but will be required to work/travel off-site occasionally.

• Excellent metal working skills and cross-sectional fabrication experience in multiple creative and/or trade disciplines.
• Track record of resolving unique technical problems in an innovative manner.
• Excellent computer skills using a variety of software such as: Microsoft Office, SketchUp, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Cloud, and the ability to learn new systems as they become available.
• Fine motor skills and acute attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and carry out complex tasks with little supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative, exercise good judgment and resolve technical problems.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, multi-task and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of provincial safety guidelines and experience supervising and maintaining a workshop.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret university policies, procedures, manuals, handbooks and reports.
• Ability to follow instructions, work independently or within a team or with minimal supervision.
• Teaching experience and an understanding of how to adapt to different learning styles.