Foreperson - Electrical Section

Department:	Plant Operations	Effective Date:	January, 2007
Grade:	USG 10	Reports to:	The Director of Maintenance and Utilities

General Accountability

The position is accountable to the Director of Maintenance and Utilities for the operation and maintenance of the University's electrical power distribution system, associated equipment and electrically powered physical plant devices.

Nature and Scope

The position is one of seven directly reporting to the Director of Maintenance and Utilities; the others being two Maintenance Supervisors in the Mechanical section, two Supervisors in the Building Section, the Supervisor of the Controls Section and the Chief Stationary Engineer. The Supervisor of the Electrical Section is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the electrical power distribution system; consisting of primary high voltage (14,000V) cables and switchgear; the individual building=s switch-gear, transformer substations, power and lighting panels, lights, motors and their controls. Other equipment includes the emergency power generator systems, exhaust fans, fumehoods, electric heating and elevators. The Foreperson requires the skills of an experienced electrician who has administrative and supervisory ability. This section is involved in computer technology both in the office and associated with micro-processor controlled devices.

The Supervisor manages a crew of eighteen people, consisting of Electricians, Electrical Helpers, Repairpersons and Technicians. Temporary and seasonal employees may also be hired for short term and summer jobs. Management duties include providing recommendations on the skills makeup and crew size required, recruiting and interviewing new employees, coordinating and monitoring projects performed by electrical contractors, updating capital expenditure forecasts and ensuring the section is performing to budget expectations. As the first line of supervision, (s)he has the responsibility of supervising unionized employees, answering grievances presented as verbal complaints, handling disciplinary actions and communicating on behalf of the University. (S)He assigns and co-ordinates the crew=s resources of labour, material and equipment to meet the demands of maintenance and renovation related work requests. (S)he inspects the workmanship, safety and productivity of the section and takes the necessary corrective and disciplinary action to maintain the Department=s standards. This includes the identification of the need for instruction and training and then providing or obtaining it as required. A monthly safety meeting is held for formal communication and training.

Maintenance responsibilities include the coordination of a preventative and predictive maintenance program. This involves establishing, in consultation with the Director the methods and schedule for the regular inspection, testing, and servicing of the main electrical power systems as well as providing input to the Maintenance Supervisor regarding the activities of the PM crew. This maintenance program is developed and administered in conjunction with the Administrative Systems Supervisor utilizing a computerized maintenance management (work order) system. This activity has a major impact on the cost of maintenance, the reliability and life of the equipment, safety of the campus (lighting, exit signs and emergency power and life safety systems) and the physical environment in the buildings. The environment encompasses the room and grounds lighting of the campus, the air quality (affected by running ventilation units and fume exhaust fans), and the temperature of electrically heated spaces. This in turn affects the morale and productivity of the University community.

The other aspect of maintenance is the diplomatic handling of numerous complaints, special requests, and resolving equipment breakdowns. This involves the application of specialized knowledge and experience in diagnosing and troubleshooting a wide variety of problems. The Supervisor is subject to being phoned for advice or called in to supervise emergency repairs at any time.

The managing of numerous renovation or alteration projects (work requests) is a non-maintenance responsibility. This requires consultation with the requestor, design involvement, material procurement, locating existing services, scheduling of construction activity and utility shutdowns, providing jobsite inspection and commissioning. Contractors and consultants are selected and recommended to provide resources and skills unavailable in the section. Their work is then coordinated, supervised, and inspected.

The Supervisor sources and orders the parts and materials required for the maintenance and alteration work and has signing authority for purchases up to $2500.00

This position impacts upon the operation of the Universities teaching and research programs, as well as the effectiveness of the Electrical Section annual operating budget of approximately 7.5 million dollars.

Statistical Data

Building area serviced: 6,200,000 ft2

Number of Major Buildings: 50

The annual budget of the Electrical Section is as follows:

Labour	$1,350,000
Materials	$100,000
Contracts	$125,000
Signing	$2500.00
Annual value of construction / work request activity	$110,000.00

The Section also has a significant impact on the Utility costs of:

Electricity	$6,000,000

Specific Accountabilities

The safety of the section members. This requires the application of safe methods, codes and standards, to the creation of job procedures; training, informally during job assignment and formally during safety meetings; the correction of hazards identified through suggestions from the crew; inspection of the work place and the investigation of accidents
The productivity, effectiveness and morale of the section members. This is accomplished by effective assignment of the available resources, clear instructions, training as required, evaluation of results, and corrective action as necessary.
Technical support for the section. Much of the effort of the section is devoted to correcting operating problems such as equipment failures. This position is closely involved in investigating, trouble-shooting and devising solutions to these problems either directly or by having resources to call on. Thorough knowledge of electrical codes, familiarity with construction and building codes and knowledge of the potential hazards of all materials and processes encountered (OHSA, WHMIS) is required.
The budget for the Section. The section is managed to a fixed budget by control of overtime, the prudent purchase of materials and services, good maintenance practices, and providing services to other departments on a cost recovery basis where possible (work requests)
The efficiency of the Section. This position has a responsibility to maintain and improve the section and utility system efficiency. This is done by performing facility inspections, maintenance operation reviews, developing and applying improved methods, equipment and techniques to the operating and maintenance functions.