Supervisor, Mechanical Services

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, June 25 at 11:59PM. 

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Mechanical Services, the Supervisor, Mechanical Services is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of trades staff responsible for the maintenance, repair, and operation of mechanical infrastructure systems across campus facilities.

The Supervisor coordinates maintenance work, assigns staff resources, and ensures that work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with University standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Accountabilities

Operations Management

• Coordinates daily mechanical maintenance activities related to pumps, piping systems, mechanical distribution infrastructure, and associated equipment across campus facilities.
• Assigns work tasks to mechanical trades staff and ensures appropriate tools, materials, and technical instructions are provided.
• Monitors work progress and ensures maintenance activities meet operational and quality standards.
• Responds to mechanical equipment failures, infrastructure incidents, and urgent maintenance issues affecting campus facilities.
• Provides technical guidance and troubleshooting support to mechanical trades staff.
• Coordinates mechanical maintenance activities with other Facilities teams to support integrated building operations.

Preventative Maintenance and Asset Management

• Implements preventative and predictive maintenance programs designed to maintain the reliability and performance of mechanical infrastructure systems.
• Conducts inspections of mechanical systems and infrastructure to identify required maintenance activities.
• Ensures preventative maintenance tasks are scheduled to minimize disruption to campus operations.

Maintenances Work and Project Coordination

• Manages maintenance work requests related to mechanical infrastructure systems across campus facilities.
• Consults with requestors and technical staff to clarify scope of work and identify appropriate repair or maintenance solutions.
• Assigns and coordinates work activities for mechanical trades staff to ensure efficient completion of maintenance tasks.
• Provides technical guidance and troubleshooting support related to mechanical equipment, piping systems, and infrastructure.
• Coordinates internal trades staff and external contractors when specialized mechanical work is required.
• Monitors work progress and reviews completed work to ensure operational reliability and compliance with technical standards.
• Ensures work orders, documentation, and reporting requirements are completed in accordance with departmental procedures.

Staff Supervision

• Provides direct supervision of mechanical trades staff including scheduling, work assignment, and coordination of daily maintenance activities.
• Monitors work performance and ensures effective use of staff resources.
• Provides day-to-day leadership, guidance, and technical support to staff.
• Supports recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of employees.
• Conducts performance discussions and provides coaching to support staff development.
• Addresses operational concerns, employee relations matters, and workplace issues in accordance with the CUPE collective agreement and University employment policies.

Health and Safety

• Ensures all maintenance activities are performed safely and in compliance with health and safety legislation, University policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promotes safe work practices and ensures staff follow established safety procedures when working with mechanical infrastructure systems and equipment.
• Conducts workplace inspections and identifies hazards within operational environments.
• Participates in incident investigations and supports implementation of corrective actions.
• Facilitates regular safety meetings and supports required safety training for staff.
• Promotes a strong safety culture within the mechanical services team.

Other

• Supports continuous improvement initiatives within mechanical services and the Facilities department.
• Supports service delivery improvements related to residence maintenance operations and student living environments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certificate of Qualification in a relevant mechanical trade, or a college diploma in mechanical engineering technology, building systems, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Additional training in facilities maintenance supervision, mechanical systems operations, or infrastructure maintenance is considered an asset.

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in mechanical systems maintenance, facilities operations, or infrastructure maintenance.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and supervising mechanical trades staff.
• Experience working in a unionized environment is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical building systems, infrastructure operations, and maintenance practices.
• Ability to coordinate daily mechanical maintenance activities and supervise trades staff responsible for mechanical infrastructure systems.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess mechanical system issues and prioritize maintenance work.
• Ability to respond effectively to mechanical equipment failures or operational issues affecting campus facilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, campus stakeholders, and contractors.
• Knowledge of applicable mechanical codes, safety standards, and facilities maintenance regulations.
• Experience using facilities maintenance systems or work-order tracking tools.

Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.