IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is one of the worlds most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada. For over 50 years, scientists at IISD-ELA have conducted whole-ecosystem experiments and made significant scientific discoveries related to issues such as acid rain, mercury from air pollution, algal blooms, and pharmaceutical chemicals in water.The facility is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Developmentan independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional land of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and homeland of the Mtis Nation.

IISD-ELA acknowledges that its research facility is located on Treaty 3 lands, and the care of these lands during experimentation and restoration to their original state is implicit in its mission. Many regional schools come to the facility to learn more about the science of aquatic ecosystems.

Overview

The Facilities Maintenance Technician will be crucial in maintaining the operational efficiency, security, and functionality of the facility. Working closely with the Facilities Manager, they will be responsible for the upkeep of infrastructure, equipment, and access roads. This role requires a versatile individual with strong mechanical aptitude to handle various responsibilities, from troubleshooting equipment issues to performing general maintenance.

Based full-time at the IISD-ELA site, the Facilities Maintenance Technician collaborates closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure the facility is fully operational and secure for both the site and personnel.

Responsibilities

Facility Maintenance and Management

• Provide technical services for maintenance, repair, procurement, and life-cycle management of infrastructure and mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and security systems and equipment.
• Conduct regular maintenance and monitoring of fuel and propane storage facilities, recording and reporting fuel usage, and making fuel orders as required.
• Maintain field equipment (boats, motors, snowmobiles, ATVs) and off-site facilities (trails, boat landings, docks) year-round.
• Manage utilities maintenance, including HVAC, structural/roof, roads/grounds, water supply, power supply, and plumbing.
• Troubleshoot, perform preventative maintenance, and make upgrades to equipment, including operating automated building control systems.
• Perform year-round maintenance on access roads, including winter plowing, washout repair, ditching, brushing, culvert replacement, and ongoing damage control.
  

Data Collection and Record-Keeping

• Assist in collecting data from the IISD-ELA Meteorological Facility and other research projects.
• Keep records for reporting purposes, including maintenance of water treatment equipment, water pumping data, sewage lift station pump hours, and other reporting streams.
  

Supervision and Safety

• Supervise staff and contractors as required.
  
• Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.
  
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Other
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Certification or apprenticeship in mechanical and/or electrical systems.
• Experience in one or more skilled trades is an asset.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled in troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of various equipment; may include vehicles or field equipment such as outboard motors, boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles.
• Knowledge of HVAC, roads/grounds maintenance, water supply, power supply, electrical and plumbing.
• Ability to perform year-round maintenance on access roads, including winter plowing, washout repair, ditching, brushing, culvert replacement, and damage control.
• Ability to collect data and keep records related to water treatment, fuel usage, hours of operation, regulatory compliance, etc.
• Ability to supervise junior staff and contractors as required.
• Strong interpersonal skills; collegial and community minded.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting aptitude.
  
• Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain valid certifications for the following prior to the start of their term. Candidates should also highlight any other training certificates relevant to Occupational Health and Safety, i.e., chainsaw certification, WHMIS, TDG, etc.
  • First Aid/CPR with AED
  • Pleasure Craft Operators card
  • Drivers licence
• Additional interest in the overall research plan of IISD-ELA is an asset. Experience working and living in a remote facility is also beneficial to this position.
• IISD-ELA will require the completion of criminal record and child abuse registry checks.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Working Conditions

• Based at the IISD-ELA research station. IISD-ELA provides on-site living accommodations and food.
• Potential for periods of high workload, requiring efficient time management and adaptability.

Physical Demands

• Time at the IISD-ELA research station involves lifting and carrying heavy objects, equipment, and tools, potentially exceeding 20 kgs, as part of maintenance and repair tasks.
• Outdoor work in various weather conditions, involving exposure to sun, rain, snow, and cold temperatures.
• Frequently bend, stoop, and kneel while performing maintenance tasks, especially in confined or low-clearance spaces.
• Climbing ladders, stairs, or other structures as necessary.
• Endurance, mental alertness, and sensory awareness to perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods, especially during the maintenance of access roads, grounds, and equipment.

Employment Type: This is a full-time term position starting ASAP, with flexible working arrangement.

Salary: CAD 50,000CAD 60,000 annually (based on qualification and experience).

Closing date: Open until filled.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. Please include the following:

• A CV (required; no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (required; one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire(optional; right-click to download)

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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