Assistant Chief Stationary Engineer

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The internal deadline for this role is Thursday November 27 2025.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Assistant Chief Stationary Engineer reports to the Chief Stationary Engineer and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the central district heating and air conditioning plants that support all University of Waterloo campuses. This includes high pressure steam mains pressure release valve stations chilled water mains in the distribution tunnels heating and cooling systems in all campus buildings as well as domestic soft water supply.

Responsibilities will align with the Plant Operations goal of contributing towards providing a safe and accessible invitingly clean and comfortable functionally-enriched and well-maintained campus environment through service excellence.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning

• Assists the Chief Engineer with and supports the departments strategic planning efforts addressing stewardship responsibilities and long-term sustainability of the Universitys campus facilities and infrastructure.

General Management

• In coordination with the Chief Stationary engineer oversee the 24/7 operation of the central plant and all UW district energy distribution systems as well as local heating/cooling plans supporting all University campuses and facilities fostering a client-focused service-oriented work environment.
• Organizes onboarding of new staff and ensures safety training is completed. Advises Chief Engineer of delays to planned onboarding schedule training or safety concerns.
• Schedules staff in accordance with the collective agreement including vacations & absence coverage.
• Assists with troubleshooting of issues and operating challenges in the plant and across all three campuses as requested & required by the CUPE members.
• Works closely with the Tool Room on sourcing and ordering parts and materials required for maintenance and alteration work.
• Provides input to the Maintenance Supervisors regarding the activities of CUPE members to assist with coordination of their activities as they relate to overall operational requirements.
• Promotes operational consistency effectiveness and ensures compliance with all applicable legislation regulations codes and standards related to facilities operations including occupational health and environmental safety.
• Coordinates preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Works closely with the Chief to develop and implement re-current schedules for the regular inspections testing and servicing of all heating & cooling generation equipment as well as all related energy distribution systems.
• Monitors productivity effectiveness and efficiency of assigned CUPE staff to ensure effective assignment of the available resources. Issues clear instructions training as required evaluation of results and corrective action as necessary.
• Provides recommendations to the Chief on the skills makeup and crew size required for safe and efficient operation of assigned systems. Assigns and co-ordinates resource allocation (CUPE schedules material procurement and equipment availability) to meet the demands of maintenance work and to support special projects.
• Works closely with the Chief Office of Indigenous relations to support smudging requests.
• Works closely with the Chief and drafts departmental guidelines and standard operating procedures in support of Plant Ops initiatives.
• Inspects the workmanship safety and productivity of the section
• Reviews completed work orders in computerized work order system to ensure compliance consistency and high level of customer services.
• Liaise with Plant Operation IT team to review service level agreements and recommend changes if as required.

Project Management

• Manages small projects and repairs as related to the central plant utilizing external consultants/contractors utilizing UW procurement Policies and BPSD.
• Ensures that contractors and consultants are sourced/recommended to provide resources and skills unavailable in the section. Their work is then coordinated supervised and inspected.
• Consults with clients provides input on design and considers material procurement scheduling of construction activity and utility shutdowns supporting large campus-wide projects that impact Central Plant Operation.
• Participates in on-site inspections and commissioning as required.

Health & Safety

• In consideration of the Universitys commitment to the safety and well-being of all faculty support staff students and visitors responsible for ensuring University facilities and departmental activities are compliant with all applicable legislation regulations codes and standards related to facilities operations as well as occupational health and environmental safety.
• Active in health and safety and incident prevention by establishing adhering to and ensuring assigned support staff are following departmental policy procedures and safe work practices required by the University health safety and environmental management system and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation developing and enhancing a safety culture among support staff.
• Ensures contractor safety performance in compliance with established department standards.
• Responsible for the workplace health and safety of the section members. This requires the application of safe methods codes and standards the creation of job procedures; training informally during job assignment and formally during safety meetings; the correction of hazards identified through suggestions from the CUPE members ; inspection of the work place and the investigation of accidents.
• Assists the Chief Stationary Engineer with the development and delivery of risk management programs (hot work service impairment smudging protocols etc.).
• Maintains the documentation required for all TSSA safety audits and permits applications.

Other

• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned and supports departmental activities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• 1st Class Stationary Engineer certification registered with the Province of Ontario or 2nd Class Stationary Engineer certification actively working towards 1st Class certification within two years.

Experience

• Three years experience working as a Chief Engineer or Assistant Chief in a 1st or 2nd class steam plant within a unionized environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of Boiler and Pressure Vessel codes the Operating Engineers Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act and WHMIS.
• Familiarity with the operation and maintenance of district heating and cooling systems is essential.
• Proven technical administrative and supervisory ability to operate a large first-class plant and related DES.
• Familiarity with a wide range of technologies utilized in the DES.
• Demonstrated track record of effective leadership and collaboration with various constituents at all levels and ranges of expertise
• Proficient in the development of operational specifications standards work practices and procedures. Able to work effectively within the Universitys unique culture and decentralized environment.
• Demonstrated track record of effective leadership and collaboration with colleagues and direct reports.
• Excellent judgment and strong problem-solving skills including the ability to understand the financial impact of relevant options
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a deep commitment to customer service proven innovative approach to problem solving and an aptitude towards service excellence and responsiveness.
• Outstanding analytical and time management abilities.
• Strong ethics and diplomacy.
• Ability to supervise & review design to ensure safety code compliance and operational efficiency.
• Proficient in using MSOffice.
• The engineers operate the facility on a 24 hour a day 7 day a week basis responding to emergency calls fire alarms and monitoring the campus utilizing a computerized energy management system. During nights weekends and holidays these staff receive all maintenance calls. The Assistant Chief Engineer is subject to being phoned for advice or called in to supervise emergency repairs at any time
• Flexible schedule - Evening or weekend shifts will be required.

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 or ext. 45935.