Utilities Electrical Engineer

Job Title

Utilities Electrical Engineer

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Facilities Management, Level G

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

Electrical Utilities Management | Electrical Utilities | Engineering and Utilities | Energy and Water Services | Facilities

Compensation Range

$10,459.67 - $15,675.58 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

December 9, 2026

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

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks.

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

The Utilities Electrical Engineer (UEE) is a senior engineering role within Energy and Water Services (EWS) Electrical Utilities Management. The UEE oversees the development, operation and maintenance of the University’s high voltage distribution system including short- and long-range planning of electrical utilities infrastructure and engineering, design and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution (69kV and 12.5kV) assets across the entire Point Grey campus of the university.

The Utilities Electrical Engineer leads the planning of major capital, cyclical and preventative maintenance programs and develops business models. This position is the in-house professional and subject matter expert for all University departments with respect to high-voltage electrical infrastructure supplying academic buildings on campus. They actively contribute electrical expertise to the Campus as a Living Lab strategy and UBC’s Climate Action Plan for campus decarbonization.

The Utilities Electrical Engineer leads the electrical utility design review process for all developments on campus to ensure all projects meet the requirements set out by UBC’s Technical Guidelines. This position must maintain a high degree of knowledge of existing, new and emergent technologies relating to medium voltage electrical distribution and protection and control systems to ensure the department is technically supported to provide the high degree of electrical reliability that the university expects.

The position manages professional staff and consultants and the UEE works very closely with the Manager, Electrical Utilities (including coverage in their absences), as well as Assistant Civil Engineer, Utilities System Specialist, Senior Thermal Manager, Engineering Assistant to ensure all E&W records are current.

The incumbent is expected to stay abreast of updates and changes to all applicable Acts, Regulations, and Codes and to maintain regulatory compliance. The UEE will participate in the BC One Call program at UBC and be on the emergency call-out list, being available 24/7. This individual also works closely with the Utilities Electrical Engineer and will provide ongoing technical advice and direction to these individuals, especially in responding to all mechanically related Electrical emergencies.

This position may represent the university as the registered Field Safety Representative (FSR) Class A as required by Technical Safety BC.

Organizational Status

The Utilities Electrical Engineer reports to the Manager, Electrical Utilities. This position interacts and collaborates with Energy and Water Services professional staff, Building Operations, Infrastructure Development, UBC Properties Trust along with local, Provincial and Federal regulatory bodies. This position is also the technical resource for electrical trade supervisors providing mentoring and coaching.

This role is expected to work closely with UBC stakeholders regarding all electrical utility concerns across the academic campus.

Work Performed

Provides senior engineering leadership and management for professional staff and consultants, including planning, design engineering, estimation, scheduling and coordination for medium voltage electrical distribution projects. Projects may include underground cabling networks, unit substation installations/replacements, protection and control systems upgrades, SCADA system upgrades, and energy metering installations.

Works closely with the Manager, Electrical Utilities to provide short- and long-range utility system planning to accommodate campus electrical load growth and increase network resiliency to meet UBCs Campus Vision 2050 requirements.

Creates and provides engineering direction for the 5-year Capital Plan and 30-year infrastructure plan for electrical system renewal and expansion as aligned with the university’s Campus Vision 2050 and Climate Action Plans. Audits existing electrical utility assets and prioritizes infrastructure renewal following utility best practices.

Develops projections for electrical consumption, costs, revenue generation, and prepares reports which analyze performance.

Creates and manages policies, procedures, and standards of practice for Emergency Response Plans for all electrical utility distribution systems.

Performs system event reports annually or as needed including, but not limited to power outages, power quality events, building performance metrics, equipment failure analysis.

Researches new and emergent technologies for electrical distribution, protection, control, SCADA, and metering systems and provides technical guidance to the electrical utility team.

Acts as a subject matter expert on existing electrical utility distribution systems and provides technical support and guidance to the electrical utility team as well as key stakeholders.

Develops specifications to tender contract work and administers such contracts, including both service and construction types. Reviews and evaluates tender submissions.

Provides professional engineering services for in-house designs by Energy & Water Services on infrastructure replacement or improvement projects.

May act as the Class A Field Safety Representative for Energy & Water Services’ Electrical Operating Permit as well as installation permits. Liaises with the Building Operations Field Safety Representative. Communicates directly with Provincial regulators regarding electrical operating concerns or deviations from codes and standards.

Ensures a high standard of quality control for all external and in-house medium voltage and electrical utility service projects and that all appropriate codes, regulations, and safety standards are adhered to.

Performs electrical system modelling updates and reports. Performs electrical arc flash analysis and device coordination studies using ETAP software. With modelling, performs campus electrical load forecast analysis for both short-term and long-term scenarios.

Creates executive presentations from engineering studies, data analysis, statistics and site investigations using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.

Provides technical consultation and oversight for numerous UBC stakeholders and consultants to plan and review new projects during all phases of development, design and construction, ensuring projects are efficiently coordinated and timely executed to meet UBC’s technical requirements. Reviews commissioning documents of new projects and provides peer review of all project documentation related to electrical utilities.

Provides peer review of Design, Building Permit, and tender applications by development professionals on behalf of the university to ensure the lowest Total Cost of Ownership.

Oversees the design and installation of electrical civil infrastructure including duct banks, manholes, ground grids and transformer pads.

Provides leadership with diplomatic skills to ensure the department and university’s best interest during design, construction and commissioning reviews.

Administers and updates UBC’s Technical Guidelines pertaining to high voltage and electrical utility systems and infrastructure.

May act in place of the Manager, Electrical Utilities during their absence. May provide direct and indirect supervision of multiple professional and skilled trades staff.

On occasion, may be required to work non-standard hours or may be on-call outside of regular working hours.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

All electrical standards and procedures relating to the University’s utility system will be created or modified by this position.

As the Class A Field Safety Representative, all electrical standards and procedures will be established and/or approved by this position. Decisions from moderate to considerable complexity will be made on a continuing basis which could have an impact on the entire University community.

Deals with an extensive electrical distribution system (69kV and 12.5kV) and provides operational and electrical engineering acumen to the Division. Close attention is required to prevent electrical failures and to identify and correct problems that could result in both a serious financial and/or power loss to the University.

Errors with poor equipment selection, construction and commissioning could result in a complete or partial shutdown of the entire University, resulting in significant damage to University property and research as well as compromising the safety of personnel resulting in loss of life. Errors may potentially increase the operating cost to the University or increase the rate of degradation to the University infrastructure.

Supervision Received

Works within policy guidelines and departmental priorities established by the Senior Manager, Electrical Utilities. Work is reviewed in terms of overall results on projects and coordination of departmental activities independently to an established policy and a broad framework of laid out procedures. References other professionals and the Manager, Electrical Utilities in problem situations that cannot be resolved within established procedures.

Supervision Given

May supervise professional and technical trades staff, consultants, contractors and students as required. Make continuous checks on work progress to ensure that the best methods, materials and procedures are being used. Position provides guidance and direction to reporting staff on more difficult issues and reviews assigned tasks for compliance to department and University policies. Creates and sets objectives and priorities and then determines the status of measures accomplishments against the strategic business plan goals, objectives and performance standards.

Ensures all staff, students, contractors and consultants performing electrical work are trade qualified and competent, and work in compliance with UBC Energy & Water Services and University goals, objectives and procedures.

Provides direction and guidance to UBC staff, contractors and consultants to ensure that projects and improvement initiatives are completed successfully and in a timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Minimum of eight years of related architectural and planning experience, including experience with major construction or renovation projects, 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

Registered as a Professional Electrical Engineer with EGBC. Designation as a Utilities Electrical Engineer is preferred. A minimum of 8 years of engineering (or equivalent) experience, including a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with medium and high voltage equipment and distribution systems is required.

Experience in protection and control systems is recommended. Must be competent in project planning, design review, project management, and coordination. Strong leadership with the ability to lead a team of professionals and field personnel. Must have the experience and education to obtain a Technical Safety BC FSR Class A certificate within a reasonable timeframe if not held at the time of hire.

Demonstrated knowledge of applicable electrical acts, regulations, codes, and standards. Ability to determine priorities, meet deadlines, and be flexible and adaptable to changes. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities. Strong customer service focus. Ability to convey complex concepts to diverse groups. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Skilled at managing multiple stakeholders with differing priorities. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, and electrical modeling software (ETAP, SKM, EasyPower). Ability to learn complex proprietary software for microprocessor-based equipment and systems related to electrical power systems.

Hold a valid BC driver’s license.