Facilities Commissioning Agent

Primary Purpose: To strategically develop, implement and monitor a complete commissioning process for minor and major projects within Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC). As a team member of the Facilities Sustainability and Engineering unit within the PDC Team, the Commissioning Agent has a stewardship responsibility for the quality and sustainable operation of USask capital assets in support of University priorities, teaching and research.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this position plays the key role in the initiation and leadership of the commissioning process within USask. The incumbent is responsible for the formation and leadership of multi-discipline commissioning teams which at a minimum includes the project manager, design consultants, general, mechanical and electrical contractors, testing adjusting and balancing contractor, controls contractor, any other installing subcontractors or suppliers of equipment, and university controls, trades and professional representatives. The work covers all building disciplines including mechanical, electrical, architectural, and controls. The incumbent will be expected to strategically develop, implement and hold internal and external stakeholders responsible for their deliverables as it relates to the commissioning process. The nature of the work is diverse ranging from engaging senior administration to making numerous site visits for monitoring projects as required. Multiple new construction commissioning and existing building commissioning projects are ongoing at any one time. Extensive collaboration between units and the interpretation and communication of critical technical issues into real-world language for stakeholders and clients is required. Frequently required to manage differing opinions and make decisions on the resolution. Decisions made in this role will have considerable bearing on institutional credibility, reputation and will impact the campus. Considerable time must be spent on the building sites during construction and the commissioning process as well as post construction problem solving and optimization. Exposure to fumes, dust, noise, dirt, and other hazards etc. may occasionally occur.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Advise the Project Manager to plan, budget, coordinate and schedule project commissioning activities and provide feedback on client issues to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Adhere to the principles of the university sustainability program, LEED green building rating system for LEED projects and best practice commissioning guidelines.
• Facilitate the collaborative sharing of knowledge and expertise with internal and external groups with various needs to achieve the design objectives and optimize building system performance.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of policies and procedures to optimize building performance.
• Balance environmental responsibilities and resource efficiency with research requirements, operations and maintenance standards and occupant comfort.
• Develop and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with senior university administrators, campus stakeholders, external stakeholders, peer institutions, PDC staff and others within the community.
• Facilitate lessons learned from the commissioning process and implements any process improvements to the in-house technical staff and consultants for continuous improvement.
• Support campus and divisional sustainability commitments to provide stewardship of the natural environment in a socially and economically responsible manner by demonstrating and advocating sustainability best practices in decision-making and in daily actions.
• Work with Usask community to create project-specific Owner Project Requirement documentation that outlines expected project outcomes and establishes scope of required commissioning activities.
• Participate and advise on Usask Design Guidelines and Specifications.
• Provide retro-commissioning services throughout campus to improve building operability and efficiencies. Strive to continually improve campus.
• When issues are identified, work with Operations and Engineering teams to determine root causes. Provide solutions to rectify issues discovered.

For major projects:

• Develop scope of work wording for external Commissioning Agent to be hired for project.
• Evaluate bids for Commissioning Scope.
• Act as USask?s subject matter expert for Commissioning Scope throughout the project.
• Review documentation, in particular the final commissioning report and systems manual, for completeness and accuracy.
• Work with project team to complete Room Data Sheets, which provide valuable information for the design and construction of usable space.

For minor projects:

• Compile and prepare documentation as the design/construction process unfolds including generation of testing documents.
• Provide commissioning services.
• Provide guidance to the consulting team from beginning to the end of the project to collaborate to solve system and component performance problems.

Education: A degree in engineering is required or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered. Certification as a commissioning professional and/or LEED Accredited Professional would be considered valuable assets.

Experience: Possess a minimum of five years commissioning experience and documented commissioning agent experience in at least two building projects, or relevant industry certification. The position requires experience with district energy systems, mechanical and electrical systems, and general construction building elements, controls, testing, adjusting and balancing of systems. Knowledge and understanding of sustainability principles and familiarity with LEED project documentation requirements are valuable assets.

Skills:

• Significant experience and advanced knowledge of HVAC, Building Automation, and electrical engineering disciplines.
• Experience using AutoCAD and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Advanced technical, analytical, and decision-making skills with the ability to organize and coordinate multiple and conflicting tasks, with good follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize and reprioritize activities.
• Partnership colleague who can work with a variety of individuals at all levels of the USask organization to gather and convey information.
• Effective customer service and interpersonal skills necessary to interact with technical, administrative, and management personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent work.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to collaborate in a team environment, with the ability to clearly present and explain technical or operational information.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills are required to motivate and collaborate with all project stakeholders to form an effective Commissioning Team.
• Highly developed negotiating and facilitating skills and an understanding of the university culture and processes to ensure that project delivery and outcomes meet client expectations.

Department: Facilities Sustainability & Engineering
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $81,037.00 - 134,978.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 5/5/2023
Closing Date: 6/15/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable Please review the University of Saskatchewan's health and safety requirements for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan?s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M?tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M?tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.