Description
The Facilities Management is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Lead Hand, Millwright.
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) department, within Facilities Management, is responsible for ensuring that building structures and mechanical systems across all University-owned and leased properties are operated and maintained in a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manner to provide a safe and comfortable environment for campus users. Campus is divided into 6 operating zones.
This position reports to the Manager, Maintenance & Planning and works with a high degree of independence.
The Millwright Lead Hand manages competing priorities, urgent and emergent issues, and complex mechanical systems with minimal supervision. This position is responsible for leading a team of Millwrights and other mechanical trades personnel while coordinating a high volume of preventive and demand maintenance activities.
In this position, the incumbent will actively engage in hands-on fieldwork while simultaneously driving the administrative logistics that keep our operations running smoothly. Duties will be split between direct on-site execution and overseeing critical behind-the-scenes tasks, including project scheduling, daily planning, resource coordination, and team leadership.
Decisions made in this position have a significant operational impact, directly influencing campus infrastructure reliability and service continuity. The Lead Hand is accountable for ensuring the proper installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of all rotating equipment and associated mechanical systems.
The position involves managing a consistently high workload, including peak periods that require sustained physical and mental effort. Responsibilities include diagnosing and resolving issues of moderate to high complexity across a broad spectrum of equipment, ranging from aging and obsolete systems to advanced, modern technologies.
This dynamic and fast-paced environment demands strong organizational and leadership skills to balance operational deadlines, shifting priorities, and multiple concurrent tasks. Effective coordination is essential, as performance directly impacts the functionality and reliability of individual facilities and broader campus systems.
In addition, the position is responsible for coordinating emergency response activities, including deployment of resources and providing leadership and direction to staff during critical events. This requires sound judgment, rapid decision-making, and effective communication to maintain safe and continuous operations under pressure.
This position requires work be carried out with the following conditions: within confined spaces, scaffolds, and lifts of heights up to 4 metres, heavy lifting up to and including 25 kilograms pounds that may require performing physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials, year round indoor and outdoor responsibilities and controlled hazardous environments.
This position is a part of the AUPE Collective Bargaining Unit. The normal shift is 7.5 hours per day, five days per week, usually Monday to Friday, however, transfer to other shifts, with notice, is a possibility. Overtime may be required and the incumbent might be expected to be on stand by. Callouts to the campus can be expected during emergencies.
The primary purpose of the Millwright Lead Hand is to lead, coordinate, and oversee mechanical maintenance operations across campus while performing skilled, trade-level installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. This includes supervising trades staff, managing maintenance programs, ensuring the reliability and performance of mechanical systems, and supporting both planned and emergency maintenance activities. Duties include:
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Reading diagrams and schematic drawings to determine work procedures.
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Operating equipment and rigging devices to move and position heavy machinery and components.
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Installing, aligning, and maintaining mechanical systems, including fitting bearings, aligning shafts and gears, and connecting motors, couplings, and belts to precise tolerances.
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Testing equipment, identifying deficiencies, and making necessary adjustments to ensure proper operation.
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Performing preventive and corrective maintenance, including condition monitoring techniques such as vibration analysis, and replacing defective components as required.
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Troubleshooting mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and programmable logic control systems.
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Completing welding and fabrication work as required.
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Monitoring contractor work to ensure compliance with specifications, standards, and applicable codes.
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Assessing equipment performance, identifying issues, and determining effective solutions.
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Planning and organizing work activities to meet operational requirements and priorities.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
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Ensures all assigned work is completed in compliance with University specifications, standards, procedures, applicable codes, and Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) regulations.
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Oversees day-to-day operations by assigning, prioritizing, and monitoring work activities and work orders to ensure timely and efficient completion.
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Plans and coordinates preventive and demand maintenance activities and aligns resources to meet operational requirements.
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Coordinates work with internal trades, departments, and external contractors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
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Provides leadership, coaching, and mentoring to trades staff, including assigning work, supporting recruitment, and contributing to performance management processes.
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Provides technical expertise on mechanical systems and equipment, overseeing troubleshooting, repair, installation, and maintenance activities.
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Reviews and approves completed work to ensure quality, compliance, and adherence to established standards and procedures.
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Monitors contractor performance to ensure work complies with specifications, standards, and safety requirements.
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Ensures equipment, tools, and workspaces are used appropriately, maintained in safe working condition, and support a safe work environment.
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Promotes a strong safety culture by adhering to and enforcing Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) policies, OH&S legislation, and University procedures.
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Conducts inspections, identifies hazards, and ensures risks are assessed and addressed in a timely manner.
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Maintains awareness of University infrastructure, systems, and evolving industry practices, technologies, and codes, and recommends improvements where appropriate.
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Manages time, priorities, and resources effectively, keeping the supervisor informed of activities, issues, and progress.
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Utilizes CMMS/work order systems to manage, track, and report on maintenance activities, and maintains accurate records and inventory.
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Prepares estimates and supports planning, scheduling, and administrative requirements.
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Demonstrates professionalism, collaboration, and respect in all interactions with staff, contractors, stakeholders, and the University community.
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Supports a positive team environment by sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of others.
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Participates in ongoing training and development and adapts to changing operational requirements.
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Maintains discretion, confidentiality, and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
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Ensures consistent attendance, punctuality, and professional appearance appropriate to the work environment.
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Delivers high-quality customer service by responding to needs and maintaining service standards.
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Works effectively in a variety of environments, including mechanical rooms, service tunnels, laboratories, and other campus facilities
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Performs duties under varying conditions, including working at heights, in confined spaces, and exposure to noise, temperature extremes, dust, fumes, and proximity to animals.
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Conducts all work in accordance with the University of Calgary "Statement on Principles of Conduct".
Qualifications / Requirements:
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Journeyman Millwright certification (provincial or interprovincial) required.
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Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in industrial, commercial, or institutional environments.
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Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including mentoring and developing staff.
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Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, rotating equipment, and associated maintenance practices.
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Proficiency in troubleshooting mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and control systems.
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Familiarity with standard trade practices, tools, instrumentation, and safety procedures.
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Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, shop drawings, specifications, and maintenance manuals.
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Experience with predictive maintenance technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, NDT) considered an asset.
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Experience maintaining rotary compressors, vacuum pumps, and similar equipment considered an asset.
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Working knowledge of building codes, regulations, and safety standards.
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Experience with CMMS systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, email, mobile devices) preferred.
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Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
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Effective communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment or independently with minimal supervision.
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Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and maintaining current trade knowledge.
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Proven ability to provide high-quality customer service and meet service standards.
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Physically capable of performing duties including working at heights, on ladders at various heights, in confined spaces, and in varying environmental conditions.
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Ability to work in diverse environments including mechanical rooms, service tunnels, research laboratories including areas that support animals, classrooms and occupied facilities.
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A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required).
Application Deadline: June 22, 2026.
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Trades Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
