Electrical Technical Specialist

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

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

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

Job End Date

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 Electrical Technical Specialist provides technical solutions related to core university electrical assets (including electrical distribution, controls, conveyance, Fire/Life/Safety (FLS) and lighting systems) and performance of these critical assets and systems on campus that are valued at $500M. This position is the in-house professional, subject matter expert and Electrical Field Safety Representative (FSR) to all University departments with respect to main electrical infrastructure for campus buildings. This position provides technical expertise to consultants, clients and project teams regarding UBC electrical equipment and systems, review of design by others, construction quality control, commissioning quality control and the planned operations and maintenance of all electrical assets within the core academic campus at UBC. This position actively contributes electrical expertise to the Campus as a Living Lab strategy. Reviews, supervises and approves in-house electrical work as required by the University's operating permit with the Technical Safety British Columbia (TSBC).

Organizational Status

Reports to the Senior Manager, Building System Owner Electrical. This position is the University contact for the TSBC with respect to electrical work. Collaborates with Technical Review Team (TRT) providing Technical Guideline improvements and technical expertise and is however ultimately responsible for technical direction for electrical systems and assets. Supports the handover process of new electrical systems construction to Building Operations including the quality control of construction, training on new assets and documentation to support ongoing maintenance, oversight of quality commissioning. Supports the development of proactive maintenance strategies for electrical assets. Interacts with Infrastructure Development, Energy and Water and UBC Properties Trust providing University electrical requirements and technical information. This position is a resource for Electrical Trade Heads providing technical coaching and feedback.

Work Performed

• Provides electrical technical solutions, develops maintenance programs for all new and renewed buildings to maximize the reliability and the life cycle of all related electrical systems and the technical direction of electrical systems and assets.

• Supports the transition team for new building system handover to Building Operations: construction QC, training for operations staff on new assets.

• Ensuring documentation is available for all electrical assets, creating of planned maintenance and operations programs to ensure high performance of asset at lowest total cost.

• Develops maintenance programs for all new and renewed buildings and facilities including: compiling equipment inventory, developing and defining inspection and service routines, and updating in maintenance software and database systems. Coordinate the procurement of the appropriate materials for maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. Manage the maintenance and upgrades of records of electrical services.

• Identifies, treats and/or executes resolutions to risks as assigned on the Risk Registry to mitigate the probability of operational hazards, reputational or financial risks. Investigates electrical malfunction, major incidents and auditing for potentials, identifying corrective actions and ensuring they are completed. Plus supports investigation of contractor work for technical compliance with code and best practice.

• Acts as the Electrical Field Safety Representative for the University's Electrical Operating Permit.

• Provides technical evaluation and risk analysis on the application of codes to campus buildings and operations. Creates electrical systems policies and procedures for University wide application in lieu of by-laws and codes.

• Responsible for ensuring all electrical crews as well as University policies and procedures are kept up to date on changes to related codes, standards and best practices as it relates to the University building electrical systems.

• Advises on the development, review and updating the University s Technical Guidelines with regards to minimizing life cycle costs of buildings related to maintenance and operations of electrical services and systems.

• Responsible for designs by Building Operations staff for major new campus facilities and buildings, major renewal projects, and gives direction to address compliance with the UBC Technical Guidelines and applicable Provincial and Federal codes. Approves all in-house electrical work and main contact for electrical with TSBC.

• Works with Provincial and Federal regulatory bodies on resolving any code compliance changes or issues that affect the University. Provides clarity for University application (by in-house or contractor) of Provincial and Federal electrical codes, standards and guidelines when they require interpretation.

• Analyzes engineering design issues with smaller projects, upgrades and reconfiguration of existing systems and equipment to maintain safe and efficient operation of campus facilities.

• Supports the departmental knowledge of asset condition and the strategies to improve the life cycle cost and reduce the total cost of ownership.

• The University technical expert for consultants and project groups on all phases of capital renewal and operation maintenance for building electrical systems including building transformers, electrical distribution, controls, conveyance, FLS and lighting systems. University technical requirements are known and understood.

• Leads the development of long-range plans for facility renewal plans based on changes to the Facility Condition Index. Provides consulting services for the development of maintenance programs. Supports the departmental knowledge of asset condition and the strategies to improve the life cycle cost and reduce the total cost of ownership.

• Reviews proposals for exceptions to regulation proposals and coordinates with enforcing authorities.

• Provides consulting services for the design, development and installation of sustainability initiatives and opportunities.

• Evaluates and provides direction for addressing safety concerns for maintenance and operation of existing facilities and design and installation details for new facilities.

• Directs the auditing process of electrical construction activities for conformance to UBC technical guidelines, Canadian Electrical Code, TSBC Regulations and UBC Utilities best practices.

• Provides consulting services for the preparation of the annual and 5 year Cyclical, Deferred and Planned Maintenance strategic planning and compliance plans as they relate to the operation of electrical systems and devices.

• Interprets the intent of regulations and provides direction to achieve compliance.

• Reviews existing systems to meet new space requirements; to reduce maintenance costs; ensure maximum reliability of existing equipment and systems and to reduce energy consumption.

• As required by TSBC, maintain new project and electrical deficiencies log. Responsible for creating corrective action plans and ensuring corrections are made to deficiencies.

• Accountable to TSBC to ensure all UBC Building Operations staff performing electrical work are trade qualified and competent. Provides direct ongoing monitoring and coaching as needed with electrical trades.

• Responsible for investigation of electrical malfunction, major incidents and auditing for potentials, identifying corrective actions and ensuring they are completed. Plus supports investigation of contractor work for technical compliance with code and best practice.

• Develop and implement capital planning for electrical building and utilities, build business cases and set priorities for work.

• Develops quality control procedures and key performance indicators (KPI) and detailed plans for preventative maintenance programs and services. Interprets KPIs, responsible for benchmarking maintenance performance and manages implementation.

• Reviews the commissioning of new facilities including: adherence to the University s Technical Design Guidelines, meeting building systems performance requirements, the testing of equipment, meeting project warranties, investigating deficiencies and making recommendations for correction.

• Create electrical policies and procedures for University wide application in lieu of by-laws. Approve all policies and procedures with respect to electrical distribution work.

• Provides technical expertise to building operations and maintenance including trouble shooting and system redesign and optimization analysis and implementation.

• Provides technical support services for special projects designed for operational and/or cost benefits. Utilizes all resources available to present and implement comprehensive recommendations, provides follow up for compliance and identifies tangible results.

• Provides technical expertise for the Cyclical Replacement and deferred Maintenance Programs, including short and long range planning.

• Reviews audits of electrical systems and equipment. Advises appropriate user groups on the correction of deficiencies or assessment of changes or additions to existing mechanical and electrical systems and equipment.

• Provides direction to the development and revision of Technical Guidelines. Interprets the guidelines or provides additional operational information (that assists University of British Columbia Properties Trust (UBCPT), Project Managers (PM), TRT and architects at the design phase of construction.

• Provides technical advice to the UBCPT, Sustainability department, Directors, Trades Managers, Project Coordinators, Project Managers, TRT and consultants to review new projects during all phases of design and construction, ensuring necessary information is available, projects are efficiently coordinated, energy conservation is considered, aids in commissioning of new projects and ensures work is completed on schedule and within budget.

• This position can fill in for other manager roles within the Building Operations Electrical group structure.

• Perform other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

As the named Electrical Field Safety Representative, all electrical standards and procedures will be established and/or approved by this position. Decisions from moderate to considerable complexity will be made on a continuing basis which could have impact on the entire University community.

Decisions resulting in error may result in:

1) Compromising the safety of University staff as well as the University community up to and including death.

2) Damage to complex University assets resulting in large replacement cost.

3) Disrupted electrical service to clients and faculties.

As the technical expert on electrical systems having influence on equipment choices, construction and commissioning of electrical systems and the planned operations and maintenance programs to ensure total lowest cost of ownership and proper performance of the systems.

Decisions resulting in error may result in:

1) Poor equipment selection and poor construction and commissioning can lead to failure of research, disruption of teaching spaces and additional costs to the university.

2) Poor handover and poor understanding of equipment or systems create operational inefficiencies and premature asset wear creating significant financial liabilities for the UBC campus

Supervision Received

This position will report to the Senior Manager, Building System Owner Electrical. Works independently within plans and objectives; work reviewed against objectives.

Supervision Given

May supervise professional staff that include project coordinators and tradespeople.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Minimum of eight years of related architectural and planning experience including experience with major construction or renovation projects, or the 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

Must have Electrical Field Safety Representative A Ticket or with the experience and education to obtain. Preference for an Electrical Engineer, Technologist or Ticketed Electrician with relevant work experience will also be considered. Significant experience in the electrical trades. Minimum of 7 years of related experience including experience in related technical fields, project coordination and cost control or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with controls, conveyance and FLS systems an asset. Knowledge of applicable electrical acts, regulations codes and standards. Knowledge of UBC s Technical Guidelines with respect to electrical expectations and electrical distribution an asset. Strong leadership ability. Ability to determine priorities, meet deadlines and be flexible and adaptable to changes. Strong troubleshooting and problem solving abilities. Strong customer service focus. Ability to convey complex concepts to diverse groups. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, PDF Editor, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, SkySpark, SCADA. Skilled at managing multiple stakeholders with differing priorities.