Overview:
When you join Hines, you will embark on a career journey fueled by vision and guided by leaders who set the standards of our industry. Our legacy is rooted in innovation and excellence, earning us a spot on Fast Company’s esteemed annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, as well as recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For in 2024. Discover endless opportunities to grow and make your mark at Hines.
Responsibilities:
As a Building Operator with Hines, you will be responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, and optimization of all building systems and equipment to ensure a best-in-class experience for tenants, visitors, and stakeholders. You will support the day-to-day operation of the building by maintaining critical mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, life safety, and building automation systems while ensuring the property operates in accordance with Hines' quality standards, sustainability objectives, and operational performance expectations.
The Building Operator plays a vital role in preserving the integrity, safety, comfort, and efficiency of the property through proactive maintenance, troubleshooting, equipment monitoring, and timely response to service requests. This position requires strong technical expertise, a commitment to safety, and a customer-focused approach to building operations.
At Hines, exceptional client experience extends beyond maintaining building systems. It means combining operational excellence, technical expertise, and a hospitality-first mindset to create an environment where tenants feel valued, supported, connected, and inspired. The successful candidate will serve as an ambassador of the property by delivering responsive service, building positive relationships with tenants and stakeholders, and contributing to an outstanding workplace experience.
Working collaboratively with Property Management, Engineering, Security, Housekeeping, contractors, consultants, and service providers, the Building Operator helps ensure the property operates safely, efficiently, sustainably, and in a manner consistent with the standards of one of Canada's leading commercial office properties. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver, committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and the delivery of exceptional tenant service.
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Support the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and optimization of all building systems and equipment to ensure a safe, comfortable, and efficient environment for tenants, visitors, and staff.
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Ensure all building maintenance activities and operations align with Hines' operational standards, sustainability objectives, and service excellence expectations.
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Deliver responsive, professional, and customer-focused service to tenants and stakeholders, ensuring work orders and service requests are addressed in a timely and courteous manner.
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Support the Engineering and Property Management teams in delivering Hines' Hospitality Standards and maintaining a best-in-class workplace experience.
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Foster a collaborative and professional work environment while actively contributing to departmental goals, building initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
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Perform preventive maintenance, inspections, testing, troubleshooting, and repairs on mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building systems, including but not limited to pumps, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air compressors, fan coil units, air handling units, domestic water systems, and associated equipment.
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Monitor, inspect, and adjust building automation systems (BAS/BMS) and HVAC controls to maintain tenant comfort, energy efficiency, and operational performance.
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Investigate equipment failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime and maintain system reliability.
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Respond to tenant comfort issues and service requests, utilizing technical expertise to diagnose and resolve HVAC, lighting, plumbing, and operational concerns.
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Complete work orders, preventative maintenance tasks, and assigned repairs in accordance with established service levels and maintenance programs.
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Maintain accurate operating logs, inspection records, maintenance reports, equipment histories, chemical treatment logs, and regulatory documentation.
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Conduct routine inspections of mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, life safety systems, roofs, parkades, tenant spaces, and other building areas to identify maintenance requirements and operational deficiencies.
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Perform general building repairs and maintenance, including minor carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, and fixture repairs as required.
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Operate, monitor, and assist in maintaining fire alarm, emergency power generation, life safety, access control, and related building systems.
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Participate in emergency response activities and demonstrate full knowledge of all property emergency procedures, business continuity plans, and life safety protocols.
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Support contractor and vendor activities by coordinating access, monitoring work quality, ensuring compliance with safety requirements, and verifying completion of contracted work.
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Participate in water treatment programs, chemical management procedures, and sustainability initiatives designed to optimize building performance and environmental stewardship.
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Assist with seasonal building operations, energy management initiatives, capital projects, equipment replacements, and building improvement programs.
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Ensure compliance with all company policies, site procedures, Occupational Health and Safety requirements, Alberta Codes and Regulations, environmental legislation, and industry best practices.
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Utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and perform all duties in a safe manner while promoting a strong culture of workplace safety.
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Participate in ongoing training, professional development, certification programs, and technical education opportunities to support career growth and operational excellence.
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Maintain positive working relationships with tenants, contractors, consultants, vendors, service providers, and building staff while representing Hines and Eighth Avenue Place in a professional manner at all times.
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Support after-hours building operations, emergency response requirements, special events, and operational needs as required.
Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements include:
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High School Diploma or equivalent required.
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Valid Alberta Fourth Class Power Engineering Certificate required.
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Post-secondary education in Power Engineering, Building Environmental Systems, HVAC Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Building Operations, Facilities Management, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
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Additional industry training or certifications related to commercial building operations, HVAC systems, building automation systems (BAS/BMS), life safety systems, energy management, or sustainability programs are considered an asset.
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Completion of WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), and other industry-required safety training is required or must be obtained upon hire.
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First Aid/CPR, Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, Elevated Work Platform, and Lockout/Tagout certifications are considered assets.
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Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining current knowledge of building systems, industry best practices, safety standards, environmental regulations, and emerging technologies within the commercial real estate industry.
Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial building operations, facility maintenance, or building engineering within a commercial office, institutional, mixed-use, or Class A office environment.
Experience operating and maintaining complex commercial building systems, including HVAC equipment, chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, air handling units, variable frequency drives, domestic water systems, building automation systems (BAS/BMS), electrical systems, plumbing systems, and life safety systems.
Demonstrated experience performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnostics, repairs, and equipment optimization in an occupied commercial building environment.
Experience utilizing computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order platforms, and building automation systems.
Proven ability to respond to tenant service requests and operational issues in a professional, customer-focused, and timely manner.
Experience supporting sustainability, energy management, water conservation, and operational efficiency initiatives is considered an asset.
Experience coordinating, overseeing, and working collaboratively with contractors, consultants, vendors, and service providers.
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Working knowledge of Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation, Alberta Building Code, Alberta Fire Code, and applicable environmental regulations.
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Experience participating in emergency response procedures, fire alarm testing, life safety programs, business continuity planning, and after-hours operational support.
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Experience working in a premier commercial office environment where operational excellence, tenant satisfaction, professionalism, and service delivery are critical to success.
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Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, work independently with minimal supervision, and effectively manage changing operational requirements in a fast-paced environment.
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Strong commitment to workplace safety, continuous improvement, environmental stewardship, and delivering a best-in-class tenant experience consistent with the standards of Eighth Avenue Place and Hines.
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High degree of emotional intelligence with the ability to think critically, exercise sound judgment, and develop creative solutions to operational and tenant service challenges.
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Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
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Maintains composure, professionalism, and a customer-focused approach in all situations, including emergencies and high-pressure environments.
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Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with tenants, contractors, consultants, vendors, and colleagues.
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Demonstrated knowledge of commercial building operations, maintenance programs, engineering standards, and operational procedures, including successful completion of required Hines engineering and operational training programs, with the ability to apply technical expertise to the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of building systems.
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Strong understanding of commercial HVAC, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and building automation systems.
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Proficient in the use of testing and diagnostic equipment including analog and digital multimeters, pressure gauges, temperature measurement devices, airflow meters, vibration monitoring equipment, and leak detection devices.
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Knowledge and proper use of hand tools, power tools, measuring instruments, and maintenance equipment required for commercial building operations.
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Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, specifications, equipment manuals, operating procedures, and work schedules.
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Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations related to equipment operation, maintenance activities, energy performance, and building operations.
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Proficient with Microsoft Office applications and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), building automation systems (BAS/BMS), and operational reporting tools.
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Thorough understanding of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation, safe work practices, hazard recognition, and risk mitigation procedures.
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Knowledge of fire alarm systems, life safety systems, emergency response procedures, and preventative maintenance programs.
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Ability to properly select, utilize, and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
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Work approximately 80% of the time indoors and 20% of the time outdoors in varying weather and environmental conditions.
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Frequent walking throughout the property, including mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, rooftops, parkades, loading dock areas, tenant premises, and common areas.
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Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time.
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Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, equipment, materials, and supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. (23 kg).
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Ability to utilize visual, auditory, and sensory awareness to identify equipment deficiencies, alarms, leaks, unusual operating conditions, and potential safety hazards.
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Ability to work in mechanical rooms, confined spaces, rooftops, parkades, and other operational areas with varying temperatures, humidity levels, and noise conditions.
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Ability to work safely at heights using ladders, elevated work platforms, and other approved access equipment while following all applicable safety procedures.
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Regular use of computers, tablets, mobile devices, building automation systems, testing equipment, and maintenance management software.
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Participation in an on-call rotation and emergency response activities may be required.
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Availability to work varying shifts, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, statutory holidays, and overtime as operational requirements dictate.
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Required to wear and properly utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the work being performed.
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Regular interaction with tenants, contractors, consultants, vendors, and building staff while maintaining a professional, customer-focused approach.
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Must maintain a professional appearance, positive attitude, and commitment to delivering a best-in-class tenant experience consistent with the standards of Eighth Avenue Place and Hines.
Closing:
At Hines, we strive for excellence as a leading global real estate investment manager, driven by our by our belief that real estate is fundamentally about people. Our diverse portfolio spans $93.2 billion¹ of assets across such property types as living, office, retail, mixed-use, logistics and life science projects – all designed to enhance value, connection and inspiration. Our strategic approach integrates local expertise with global knowledge, taking calculated risks aligned with our convictions to exceed expectations and tailor solutions to our clients' needs.
While our projects are renowned for enhancing cities and pioneering sustainable practices, we recognize that the true driving force behind Hines' success is our 5,000 dedicated employees in 30 countries who draw on our 65-year history to build the world forward. This is why we prioritize investing in our people, offering comprehensive training, competitive compensation, robust benefits and generous vacation packages. By centering our focus on the growth and wellbeing of our team, we cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone, including our clients, can thrive.
Hines is proud to be named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2024. ¹Includes both the global Hines organization and RIA AUM as of December 31, 2023.
We are an equal opportunity employer and support workforce diversity.
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