Detailed Job Description
Where your career meets Canada’s future
At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the work we do matters. Every day, our people help connect Canada to global markets, strengthen supply chains, support sustainable growth, and shape the future of Canada’s largest port.
If you're looking for purposeful work where your contributions make a difference, you'll find it here - supported by a team that is collaborative, innovative, and committed to excellence.
Why join us
At The Port Authority, We’re Committed To Delivering An Employee Experience That Is As Rewarding As The Work Itself. We Offer
- Meaningful work that contributes to Canada’s trade and economic prosperity
- Opportunities for learning, development, and career growth
- A collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
- Flexible programs that support employee wellbeing and work-life integration
Join a team that embraces innovation and continuous learning while delivering technology solutions that support one of Canada’s most important trade hubs.
Help build and maintain critical infrastructure that supports Canada’s trade gateway, working alongside industry-leading professionals on projects with a lasting impact on communities, the economy, and environmental protection.
Build a career with purpose
If you’re looking for work that is meaningful, challenging, and connected to something bigger, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and discover how your career can help shape Canada’s future.
The Facilities HVAC Technician is responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing HVAC, refrigeration, and mechanical systems across the facility. This role supports preventative maintenance, emergency response, and system upgrades while ensuring compliance with codes, safety standards, and standard operating procedures. They collaborate with contractors and tradespeople, interpret technical documentation, maintain accurate records, and contribute to asset reliability, energy efficiency, and operational continuity through proactive maintenance and problem-solving.
What Success Looks Like
- Maintain, service, inspect, and repair HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical and building automation systems, including but not limited to heating and cooling equipment, air handling and ventilation systems, hydronic distribution, control systems, pressurization and exhaust systems, and filtration systems.
- Conduct routine and detailed inspections to identify wear, performance degradation, leaks, pressure and temperature irregularities, control faults, or safety and code compliance issues, etc.
- Perform preventative maintenance following PM schedules, task checklists, manufacturer specifications, and industry best practices. Typical tasks include calibrating controls, verifying operation sequences, replacing filters and belts, lubricating moving parts, testing sensors and motors, inspecting electrical connections, etc.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot system issues including but not limited to equipment failures, temperature inconsistencies, airflow problems, refrigerant leaks, and control or sensor errors. Complete corrective repairs within trade scope, escalating complex issues.
- Respond to alarms, service calls, tickets, and operational disruptions to support emergency response, maintain occupant safety, and ensure continuous building operations. Implement temporary solutions and coordinate follow-up repairs.
- Maintain accurate records of inspections, repairs, maintenance activities, and system modifications to support compliance, traceability, asset management, and knowledge sharing. Prepare reports summarizing work completed, issues identified, and recommendations for improvements.
- Monitor inventory of tools, consumables, and parts, and coordinate reordering as needed to ensure maintenance readiness and operational continuity.
- Support capital and operational projects involving HVAC, refrigeration, and mechanical upgrades, replacements, and retrofits by reviewing design documents, provide input on maintainability of designs, coordinating infrastructure tie-ins and system shutdowns, and assisting with system integration.
- Collaborate with engineers, consultants, and contractors to ensure project compliance with all applicable codes, standards, drawings, specifications, and best practices.
- Review and interpret technical documents such as blueprints, schematics, and specifications to ensure accurate installations and integration with existing systems.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to enhance system performance, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainability. Contribute to lifecycle planning, energy management initiatives, asset management, and long-term infrastructure improvements.
- Adhere to all workplace safety regulations, environmental codes, trade standards, and legislation. Stay current on regulatory updates and emerging technologies, and participate in training, toolbox talks, audits, and inspections to promote continuous improvement and a strong safety culture.
- Identify and mitigate any hazardous situations, taking immediate action to make safe and reporting unresolved concerns to supervisors.
- Support inspections, maintenance, repairs, and projects as required, collaborating with tradespeople, contractors, and other personnel under the supervisor's direction.
- Guide assigned workers in the performance of the work, as required.
- Perform other assigned duties as required.
What You Bring
- Completion of a high school diploma, along with a valid HVAC and Refrigeration trade certification and a minimum of 4 years of post-certification experience in HVAC and refrigeration systems within a similar environment.
- A valid Gas Fitter Class B license with electrical endorsement is required. Completion of a building automation and energy management course is also required or must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite, building automation systems, and maintenance management systems is required.
- A 5th-class power engineering certificate is considered an asset.
- Must be a dependable, safety-conscious individual with strong technical knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration and mechanical systems.
- Requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment while exercising sound judgment and initiative.
- Must be physically capable of performing demanding tasks, including work in confined spaces, at heights, and near water.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential for interacting effectively with team members, contractors, and the public.
- A proactive approach to preventive maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement is expected.
What We Offer
- Market-competitive base salaries and variable incentive plan
- Generous and inclusive benefits offering including retirement benefits plan
- Flexible remote work program
- Earned time off program
- Paid vacation and personal care leave
- Learning, development, and advancement opportunities
- Onsite gym with towel service in a national landmark in the heart of Vancouver’s waterfront
- Friendly, unique, and respectful workplace
Salary: The starting rate for this position is $60.13 per hour, with scheduled wage progression in accordance with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 517 collective agreement. Based on a 40-hour work week.
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Job type: Bargaining Unit, Full-Time, Permanent, In-office
Working environment: This position is required to work in diverse environments, including exposure to noise, odors, dust, fumes, and varying weather conditions. Tasks may require working at heights, over water, or in confined spaces, with occasional heavy lifting and potential exposure to unsanitary conditions.
MARINE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CLEARANCE
The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid Marine Transportation Security Clearance as this position is required to access restricted areas/information as defined by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.
At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community. We believe our strength comes from the diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our people. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.
Reasonable accommodation can be provided in the selection process and while working with the port authority. If you require assistance with applying to our openings or are seeking accommodations to apply in an alternative format, please contact us through a confidential, secure inbox at accessibility@portvancouver.com. We are committed to supporting your needs and will do our best to provide the necessary assistance.
We recognize and acknowledge that we are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To learn more about our First Nation relations and commitment to reconciliation, please visit our website.
