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Operating Engineer - District Energy
Job Description
Contact – Dave Banns – dbanns@theheadhunters.ca
The Headhunters are looking for individuals passionate about District Energy! Our client, River District Energy (http://www.rdenergy.ca/) is continuing to grow and has an opportunity for an Operating Power Engineer to join their local team.Â
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.
About River District Energy:
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.Â
Each customer building, of which there are currently 22, 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 centres, with 14MW of combined capacity (one of the TEC will be decommissioned in July 2026), and a permanent Community Energy Centre with 20MW of capacity.Â
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.
Operating Engineer responsibilities:
River District Energy is currently seeking a 3rd Class, or highly experienced 4th Class, Operating Engineer to join their team.
OperationsÂ
- Understand and maintain safety operating requirements and regulations.Â
- Operate, inspect and service central heating plant(s), District Piping System and Energy Transfer Stations. Â
- Monitor gauges, plant operational data on the central control system HMI, level indicators, and alarm systemsÂ
- Respond to system alarms, investigate issues, troubleshoot, and timely resolve issues.Â
- Take corrective action as needed to ensure safe and efficient operations.Â
- 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. Â
- Maintain detailed logs and reports on inspections, monitoring, and maintenance.Â
- Liaise with client’s representatives.Â
- Coordinate with outside contractors on site.
- On-Call/After Hour Duties for Emergency Call Outs/Alarms Â
- Ability to operate District Energy Systems safely & independently with limited to no supervisionÂ
- Perform system preventive maintenance on pumps, strainers, valves, heat exchangers etc.Â
- Follow Preventive Maintenance (PM) plans Plant Operating ProceduresÂ
- Provide Input to update standard operating procedures and documents.Â
- Provide Operations and Asset Management input.Â
- Liaise with team to identify and resolve any system and asset deficiencies.Â
- Perform other duties as required.Â
- Technical Safety BC registered Power Engineering Certificate 4th or 3rd Class. Must provide Certificate of Qualification with application.Â
- 3+ years of experience with mechanical and electrical systems, instrumentation automation, and communications systems. Â
- 3+ years of experience related to thermal energy systems and utility operations.Â
- Experience with PLC/BMS systems. Â
- District Energy system experience is an asset. Â
- ]Thorough Understanding of Power Engineer, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (PEBPVRSR) Â
- Ability to interpret, clarify, and convey information in graphic, written, and spoken formats to technical and non-technical individuals or groups. Â
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic work environment, where prioritization of tasks is required. Â
- Independent judgement and critical thinking when making decisions and performing duties. Â
- Strong verbal and written communication skills. Â
- Demonstrated ability to proactively resolve conflicts in a timely and effective manner. Â
- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with general software programs.Â
- Valid Driver’s license required. Â
- The expected work schedule for this role is Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, plus on-call on weekends.Â
- Opportunity to work at one of the few (and new) District Energy Plants in Lower Mainland
- A competitive compensation package ($70,000-$80,000 base and Bonus program) with robust and extensive health benefits. Actual offered salary will depend on individual experience, qualifications, geographic location, market conditions for the role, and internal equity. Note: if you are outside of this range and are still interested in District Energy, feel free to reach out as we have several other opportunities as well.
- A Lifestyle Spending Account which includes coverage for fitness, daycare, and eldercare costs. Wesgroup also covers the cost for all employees to attend two (2) fitness classes per week at partnering fitness facilities to promote wellbeing.
- Wesgroup supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations and employee volunteer activities, including five (5) paid days off to volunteer your time each year and give back to our communities.
Meet Your Recruiter
Dave Banns
MBA, Principal
Recruiting Specialty: Engineering & Operations
As Principal, Dave builds and maintains relationships with our partners. Drawing on over two decades of global recruitment and business development experience, his market knowledge is an invaluable resource to organizations of all sizes. Dave has ambitious goals to work collaboratively with current and new clients to develop cutting-edge, proactive workforce solutions. He has a proven record of exceeding clients’ expectations and cultivating sustainable and mutually-beneficial partnerships.
Dave is also a specialized and consultative recruiter with a focus in Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction and Operations positions. He has a reputation among his clients for implementing unique search strategies to attract top talent and build cohesive teams. Dave has a realistic understanding of how his clients’ businesses function in today’s world and what they will need to thrive in the future. Moreover, he has a deep network, refined ability to spot technical talent and match it with the most suitable company culture.
A former teacher, Dave knows how best to coach and guide individuals he works with. He takes the time to fully understand their goals, encouraging them to develop and follow a career path that is unique to their skills, talents and aspirations. Working with them as their consultant, he opens doors, acting as a conduit between great candidates and high-calibre career opportunities.
Dave holds an MBA in Global Management and a BBA in Marketing. His commitment to community is evident through his enthusiastic support of Big Brothers of Canada and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, as well as his past service as a Board member for The Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres, contributing to the HR & Governance, Finance and Nominations Committees. He is an avid traveler and sports enthusiast who enjoys playing beer-league hockey, golf and skiing. He also dedicates his time to coaching his son's rep ice hockey, baseball and soccer teams.