Job Description

MED Office of Research Competition No. - S104652397 Posting Date - Jan 03, 2024 Closing Date - Jan 09, 2024 Position Type - Full Time - Operating Funded Salary Range - $68,914 to $95,379 per year Grade - 10 Hours - 40 This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA). This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits. Location - This role is in person at North Edmonton Campus. Working for the University of Alberta The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community. The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade. Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just. Working for the Faculty The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) Core Research Facilities provide fee-based access to instrumentation, technology and/or services. These facilities allow our researchers access to essential scientific infrastructure at a reasonable cost. Benefits of using core facilities also include expert consultation, technical assistance, training and education from dedicated staff, enhancement of scientific collaboration, and promotion of higher-level experimentation. The FoMD Autoclave Repair Core provides onsite repair and maintenance services to autoclaves, laboratory washers and other pieces of critical research infrastructure. Position This position reports to the Manager, Core Research Facilities. The Autoclave Repair Core Coordinator manages the day-to-day operations of the Autoclave Repair Core. They will independently design and perform comprehensive maintenance programs on all sterilizing equipment such as autoclaves, equipment washes, tunnel washers, biosafety cabinets, change stations and decontamination chambers. This position must also provide equipment diagnostics, repairs, and modifications to ensure proper functioning of various types of mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic units used in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) research laboratories. The position will identify and provide the required maintenance procedures for all the above equipment and will provide a continuous inventory of the required supplies and parts along with appropriate tools to provide this service in a timely manner. Additionally, this position acts as the faculty expert to provide technical expertise and advice on expected maintenance costs of relevant purchases of scientific and research equipment. This position will directly interact with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors for servicing and parts exceeding normal repair and maintenance as required and will arrange for equipment certification through appropriate associations/contractors as required for regulatory certification. This position provides services in both human and animal research facilities, and as such, is expected to be knowledgeable and have certification regarding relevant biosafety and Health, Safety & Environment regulations that must be adhered to in the performance of equipment maintenance, servicing, and repairs. Duties Equipment Comprehensive Maintenance and Repair 50% Design and implement a comprehensive maintenance program for each equipment type that will be maintained in the various research facilities. This will include for example in HSLAS alone, maintenance programs for over 6 types of autoclaves, over 5 washer types, 2 decontamination chamber types, and equipment in biocontainment level 1,2 and 3 facilities that may have different regulatory and maintenance requirements (e.g. Animal Bio-containment Level 3 (ABL3) autoclaves have additional maintenance and regulatory requirements regarding filter changing requirements). Develops and implements standard operating procedures and quarterly maintenance protocols for each type of equipment. Review annual maintenance contracts for autoclaves and associated equipment for accuracy before providing to the end users. As the signing authority on these contracts, is responsible to ensure obligations are met during the year. In collaboration with the ARC Equipment Technician, schedules and perform comprehensive maintenance on all equipment. Perform equipment diagnostics, troubleshooting and necessary repairs. Equipment maintenance and repairs must be in accordance with manufacturer specifications when required. Ensure equipment meets quality assurance standards by performing temperature and pressure checks and manual equipment inspections (e.g. door closing properly). Autoclave functions must meet minimal sterilization times and temperatures and may require quality assurance validation. Ensure equipment meets yearly certification requirements by performing annual inspections. Ensures autoclaves remain compliant for inspection and certification by ABSA and, for high containment and animal facilities, federal regulatory requirements for these facilities’ continued certification. Purchasing and Inventory Set up and Maintenance 10% Establish the inventory required to perform the comprehensive maintenance program as well as expected parts for routine repairs. Initiates all transactions for purchases of goods and services required for equipment maintenance, repairs, and modifications. Identification of bulk discount purchasing of non-proprietary parts and make preferred supplier arrangements when possible, to reduce costs to the departments and faculty. Regularly maintain and update the inventory of parts, equipment and supplies that is required. Customer (Faculty Members/Departments) Relations 10% Interface with customers, manage, and complete service documentation. Pro-actively liaises with and educates facilities/groups on services provided by the unit. Provide training to customer groups on maintenance procedures that are to be performed by regular equipment users. Respond to routine customer questions regarding equipment operation and performance at the site. Maintain accurate and up-to date records of work performed and provide information to customers as needed. Managerial Duties 15% Acts as the autoclave expert to the entire FoMD and provides advice on issues relating to autoclaves and associated equipment. Independently identifies short-term and long-term issues that may arise (e.g. supplier discontinuing parts) and conducts research to determine viable solutions. Informs end users and leadership in the Office of Research of significant long-term issues, their risks, and predicted financial costs. Once financial approval is given, execute the project or planned activities and coordinate activities with internal and external stakeholders as needed. Advises on requirements for equipment operation (electrical, plumbing, etc.) as part of the design of new facilities/renovations or purchasing processes. Advises departments on equipment (e.g., autoclave) purchases that can range from $150-500K; provide input and feedback as part of equipment selection committees to ensure that maintenance costs are included in operational costs. Coordinates the purchase, delivery, installation and maintenance of new autoclaves and associated equipment with the Departments, FoMD Facilities, Planning & Projects Office, and Facilities & Operations. Identifies recurring maintenance and repair issues and makes recommendations regarding preferred equipment manufacturers or vendors. Monitors installation of new equipment; liaises with departments on the disposal or surplus of outdated or un-repairable equipment. Leads equipment certification initiatives within the Faculty including scheduling and documentation/tracking Develops and maintains operating procedures for the unit e.g., tracking systems, safety, billing, inventory management. Liaises with regulatory groups on campus and externally (e.g., ABSA) to ensure Faculty policies are up to date (e.g., water usage/disposal) and equipment passes necessary certifications. The supervisor will be responsible for the implementing and working toward the longer-term goal of expanding this service to all departments in the FoMD. The supervisor will be involved in the recruitment, training and supervision of additional technical staff performing comprehensive equipment maintenance. Prepares quotes for major autoclave repairs, identifies options and solutions, and presents these to department heads for review. Provides advice and recommendations on the most cost-effective solutions that align with safety standards. Enters work completed, processes orders and generates invoices in Stratocore-PPMS. Provide outstanding support to faculty and manage maintenance in a timely and efficient way; accurately estimate fraction of equipment inventory that can reasonably be maintain while still proving cost effective service to the Faculty. Provide expert advice as well as technical details for purchases of scientific equipment within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry such as but not limited to autoclaves and accessories, cage and rack washers, glass washers, Biosafety Cabinets and decontamination chambers. Perform a major role in maintaining and improving relationships concerned with equipment support both within the University as well as with external groups. Supervision, Training and Mentoring 15% Participate in the design of the Equipment Maintenance Technician position, as well as the recruitment and selection process. Instruct and train customers in the proper operation and daily of weekly maintenance requirements of equipment. Mentor and train technicians to becoming an Equipment Maintenance Technician. Supervise the Equipment Maintenance Technician: assign tasks, manage time, inspect work product, and ensure equipment will continue to operate safely. Track time, monitor work, complete performance evaluations for Equipment Maintenance Technician. Minimum Qualifications Education: The minimum is a 2-year technical diploma or equivalent in equipment repair and maintenance, courses or certification in pressure vessel/boiler certification, mechanical, plumbing, hydraulic and pneumatic certification. Biosafety/Radiation safety certification. WHMIS. Supervisory development. Purchasing and inventory management. Experience: 10 years minimum experience in a related field of work, hospital, manufacturer, or third-party service organization with repair service experience on such units as Steris, Amsco, Getinge, Beta Star autoclaves as well as Steris, Getinge and Betterbuilt washers. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain equipment parts and supplies inventories. Demonstrated ability to diagnose equipment malfunctions and prescribe repair procedures. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and implement creative repair solutions that align with safety standards. Demonstrated ability to instruct others in the proper operation of the equipment. Established thorough and practical understanding of pressure vessels, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and electronic (microprocessor controlled) devices, as well as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Knowledge of PPE required for work in biocontainment level 2 and 3 areas, as well as procedures for equipment maintenance (e.g. Autoclave interlocks cannot be bypassed in level 2 or 3 facilities during maintenance procedures). Able to work independently in the field without direct supervision. Experience in a customer focused service environment. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written. Proficient computer skills. Proficient in Google applications – primarily Gmail and Google Drive. Experience with PPMS-Stratocore or other core management software is an asset. Ability to interpret blueprints and drawings. Follow verbal and written instructions. Superior problem-solving skills related to controls and automated/computer-controlled systems as well as diverse laboratory equipment. Ability to analyze problems and produce solutions. Familiarity with the repair and service of biological safety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges, Ultralow Freezers, and refrigeration systems. Have a developed relationship with local as well as global parts suppliers. How to Apply Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.