Foreman, Mechanical Key Maintenance Initiatives

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

Location - This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton, South Campus Edmonton, and Campus Saint-Jean.

Reporting to the Mechanical Manager, the Foreman, Key Maintenance Initiatives (Mechanical) oversees the daily operations of the KMI shop’s regulatory and preventive maintenance program — covering plumbing and piping systems, steam systems, and plumbing/piping commissioning. Working closely with the Plumbing, Sheet Metal, and Millwright shop foremen, this position plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of in-house tradespeople and contractors to deliver the University’s annual mechanical regulatory maintenance commitments safely, on time, and on budget.

The Foreman supervises up to seven full-time journeypersons and technicians, along with up to five supplemental apprentices and journeymen, and serves as a safety champion for the UTPS safety program. This is a leadership role that pairs strong mechanical trade knowledge in both maintenance and construction with planning, coordination, budget accountability, and team development.

• Plan, schedule, assign, and review the work of in-house plumbers/pipefitters and contractors to deliver regulatory and preventive maintenance across campus mechanical systems
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop a mechanical trades team, including performance management, training, attendance management, and day-to-day safety leadership
• Lead the execution of steam system maintenance, the pressure vessel program, shutdowns and isolations, and plumbing/piping commissioning
• Prepare and coordinate job hazard analyses, safe work plans, isolation procedures, and field-level hazard assessments in line with UTOP’s safety program and the hierarchy of controls
• Manage budgets, materials, and labour resources; develop accurate cost estimates for time, labour, and materials; and report on key performance indicators
• Collaborate with Project Management Services on new construction — reviewing plans, attending design development meetings, and coordinating mechanical commissioning
• Maintain compliance with the National Plumbing Code, Canadian and Alberta Building and Fire Codes, CSA standards, and Authority Having Jurisdiction requirements
• Champion continuous improvement and LEAN practices within the shop

• Grade 12 high school diploma or equivalent
• Journeyperson Certificate as a Plumber
• Interprovincial Red Seal certification
• Minimum five years’ experience in the commercial (preferred) or industrial plumbing trade as a Journeyperson Plumber/Pipefitter
• Three to five years of supervisory experience in a related trade
• Supervisory safety training
• Excellent knowledge of the National Plumbing Code, Canadian and Alberta Building and Fire Codes, local regulations, and relevant CSA standards
• Proficiency with enterprise software such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; experience with AssetWorks AiM is an asset
• A valid Alberta Class 5 (non-GDL) driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to provide a recent copy of a three-year driver’s abstract with no more than six (6) demerits and/or two (2) moving violations within the last two years.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.