Operating Engineer - 3rd or 4th Class

at  Wesgroup Properties

River District Energy (http://www.rdenergy.ca/) is BC’s first developer owned and operated publicly regulated thermal energy utility. Wesgroup Properties & Wesgroup Utilities; RDE’s parent company, is a leading Canadian private real estate organization, built on a foundation of developing relationships with long-term tenants in commercial and residential holdings. As a vertically integrated real estate firm Wesgroup works intimately with RDE to optimize the unique opportunities that come with simultaneously being a developer and a utility.
RDE supplies thermal energy to buildings in the River District neighbourhood. The District Energy (DE) system is an all-welded closed loop system that circulates chemically treated hot water to customer buildings for the purpose of space heating and domestic hot water. Each customer building, of which there are currently 19, has an energy transfer station with separate heat exchangers for space heating and domestic hot water. These heat exchangers provide hydraulic separation between the DE system’s closed loop system and the building’s closed loop systems. The system currently has two temporary energy centers, with 14MW of combined capacity, and a permanent Community Energy Centre with 20MW of capacity is in final stages of construction and will be online by end of January 2025.
In addition, RDE will be connected to Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility adding another 10MW capacity with the expectation that emissions will be cut by as much as 90% upon build out. There is significant growth opportunity as RDE continues to expand it service.

PROFILE SUMMARY

River District Energy is currently seeking a 3rd Class, or highly experienced 4th Class, Operating Engineer to join the team. Currently serving 3 million sq. ft. of residential and mixed used buildings, the utility plans to connect 9 million sq. ft. of customer building floor area comprising 10,500 homes for 18,000 residents, and 500,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space at full build out. Reporting to the Chief Engineer, the Operating Engineer will be responsible for the DE system operations, maintenance, and asset management while striving to improve system resilience and efficiency.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Operations

• Understand and maintain safety operating requirements and regulations.
• Operate, inspect and service central heating plant(s), District Piping System and Energy Transfer Stations.
• Monitor gauges, plant operational data on the central control system HMI, level indicators, and alarm systems
• Respond to system alarms, investigate issues, troubleshoot, and timely resolve issues.
• Take corrective action as needed to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Perform standard plant and building maintenance including equipment repairs and replacing components such as, but not limited to, cleaning strainers, Plant cleanliness and organization, maintaining chemical pot feeders, etc.
• Maintain detailed logs and reports on inspections, monitoring, and maintenance.
• Liaise with clients representatives.
• Coordinate with outside contractors on site.
• On-Call/After Hour Duties for Emergency Call Outs/Alarms

Asset Management & Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform system preventive maintenance on pumps, strainers, valves, heat exchangers etc.
• Follow Preventive Maintenance (PM) plans Plant Operating Procedures
• Provide Input to update standard operating procedures and documents.

Other Duties

• Provide Operations and Asset Management input.
• Liaise with team to identify and resolve any system and asset deficiencies.
• Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Technical Safety BC registered Power Engineering Certificate 4th or 3rd Class. Must provide Certificate of Qualification with application.
• 3+ years of experience with mechanical and electrical systems, instrumentation automation, and communications systems.
• 3+ years of experience related to thermal energy systems and utility operations.
• Experience with PLC/SCADA/BMS systems.
• District Energy system experience is an asset.
• Thorough Understanding of Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (PEBPVRSR)
• Ability to interpret, clarify, and convey information in graphic, written, and spoken formats to technical and non-technical individuals or groups.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment, where prioritization of tasks is required.
• Independent judgement and critical thinking when making decisions and performing duties.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively resolve conflicts in a timely and effective manner.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with general software programs.
• Valid Driver’s license required.

Asset Management & Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform system preventive maintenance on pumps, strainers, valves, heat exchangers etc.
• Follow Preventive Maintenance (PM) plans Plant Operating Procedures
• Provide Input to update standard operating procedures and documents

Other Duties

• Provide Operations and Asset Management input.
• Liaise with team to identify and resolve any system and asset deficiencies.
• Perform other duties as required