Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Head Trades 3 - Electrician

Job Title

Head Trades 3 - Electrician

Department

Electrical Trades | Electrical | Building Operations | Facilities

Compensation Range

$7,057.00 - $7,567.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

April 27, 2026

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

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 Description Summary

UBC Building Operations provides comprehensive facilities maintenance, operations and renovation services for lands and buildings owned by the University of British Columbia. Electricians operate, maintain and repair lighting and electrical power systems, elevators, fire/life safety systems and automated building controls across campus.

The Head Electrician organizes and directs the work of an assigned area and/or crew of Controls Electricians, and other skilled workers engaged in electrical work in preventive and breakdown maintenance, diagnostic repair, alterations and installations of electrical, electro-mechanical, control systems and building automation equipment.

Organizational Status

Reports to the People and Process Manager, Electrical Trades.

Work Performed

Supervises, organizes and allocates the work of an assigned crew of Controls Electricians and other skilled workers engaged in electrical work in preventive and breakdown maintenance, diagnostic repair, alterations and installations of electrical, electro-mechanical and control systems and equipment.

Provides direction and guidance to crews, helps to ensure operations are running according to policies/procedures. Trains, supervises, and coaches employees and works with the Manager on resolution of any staffing issues that arise. Openly encourages other crew members to voice their ideas and concerns.

Utilizes strengths of crew members to ensure departmental objectives are being met.

Develops and maintains cooperative and productive working relationships with crew members and leads by example, fostering a cooperative and respectful work environment.

Liaises with the Facilities Manager and other stakeholders as required, communicates plans to support departmental objectives and problem solving. Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish strategic objectives. Troubleshoots and Investigates issues, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate.

Works with Manager to ensure service levels are being met based on department objectives. Identifies and where possible implements effective mechanisms to deliver services, solutions for stakeholders. Seeks out and involves clients in assessing service, solutions or alternatives to determine ways to improve service.

Establishes and maintains relationships with stakeholders at the University. Shares information with crews and leadership and readily determines to whom to go to for relevant information. Partners with others to achieve expectations.

Challenges inefficient/ ineffective work processes and offers constructive alternatives.

Works with other journeypersons to educate apprentices on job standards and practices. Monitors work and provides direction where needed.

Participates in relevant training as required.

Carries out inspections and tests; diagnoses defects in plant or equipment, takes remedial action as required or recommends solutions to supervisory staff verbally or in writing.

Deals with day-to-day on-site problems by initiating appropriate action to correct the situation. Participates in or performs the work of assigned trades.

Prepares cost estimates for jobs and orders required materials.

Checks to ensure that work is completed in accordance with requirements and specifications.

Works alongside the Manager in participating in the performance management and performance evaluation process as required.

Maintains work function related records, such as, timekeeping, costing, tools, equipment and

work assignments.

Ensures that employees under his/her jurisdiction work in a correct and safe manner and in accordance with all normal safety standards and practices and university and departmental policies and procedures.

Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification:

Inspects work performed by controls electricians on systems, equipment, and components to ensure compliance with codes and standards

Diagnoses causes of Electrical Distribution and Electrical problems or failures in assigned systems for the purpose of identifying equipment and/or systems to be repaired.

Install, maintain, repair and test hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems.

Troubleshoot, maintain and repair industrial electrical drive systems, automation systems and equipment, robotic systems, electronic control systems and devices as well as microprocessor-based (PLC) systems.

Install, maintain and troubleshoot communication systems used for building automation equipment.

Install, maintain and troubleshoot emergency stand-by systems, heating, ventilation and climate control systems.

Calibrate instrumentation devices using specialized test equipment and software.

Install and maintain, repair automated equipment and robotic systems.

Performs duties normally required in the electrical trade (for which training and expertise has previously been acquired) such as: preventive and breakdown maintenance, trouble-shooting, repair, calibration and installation as a Controls Electrician across the university campus.

Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Work is performed within prescribed and accepted trade standards, in accordance with job requirements and specifications and external regulatory requirements. Makes decisions regarding the organization and allocation of trades and other skilled workers and acceptability of work performed for assigned area and/or crew. Inappropriate decisions may result in service delays, escalating costs and possible safety issues. Errors in judgement could result in damage to University assets and/or an unsafe work environment, thereby increasing the chance of injuries.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the People and Process Manager. Electrical Traded via oral and written instructions, work orders, drawings and specifications. Rreceives specific instructions only on unusual problems and is required to develop appropriate work procedures.

Supervision Given

Supervises, organizes and allocates the work of an assigned crew of Electricians and apprentices.

Minimum Qualifications
A trade certification to a journeyperson level as a Red Seal Electrician or Industrial Electrician. Valid Class 5 BC Drivers Licence. And/or trade certification (Red Seal) to a journeyperson level as a Construction-Maintenance Electrician. Minimum of 7 years of related experience 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

Diploma/Certification in Automation and Instrumentation an asset. A working knowledge of relevant industrial safety regulations and building codes, and current knowledge of trade maintenance concepts, technology, theory and manufacturer s and regulatory maintenance requirements. Perfect eyesight with respect to colour blindness with the ability to interpret drawings and specifications, sketches of work required and maintenance manuals. Proficiency using computers and software. Ability to independently learn new equipment and software technologies. Must have demonstrated experience in good client relationship skills as well as be able to respond to trouble calls outside of normal working hours. Ability to analyze and interpret job specifications and provide recommendations and resolve technical problems using superior problem solving skills and innovation. Ability to adapt to changing workload priorities, effectively reprioritizing or deferring tasks in line with operational and strategic goals. Ability to effectively train, supervise, and motivate employees. Ability to communicate effectively with employees and stakeholders. Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner and effectively resolve complaints in a calm manner; exercising sound judgment. Ability to explain, assign, and monitor work of their assigned crew; communicating clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with crew members and to lead by example; fostering a cooperative and respectful work environment for their crew.

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.