Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF) access
In an effort to better control access to the BRDF, Energy & Water Services has removed card access for all Facilities crews for all doors that they control.
Please report to the operating engineer on duty by calling 604-802-1421 for access. Card access will be maintained for the new Biorefining Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) located at the back of the building. Access to this part of the facility is managed by Engineering.
University Boulevard closure extended to May 15
A reminder that the closure of the University Boulevard (UBlvd) bus loop has been extended to May 15, 2022. The bus loop is closed due to three projects under construction simultaneously — School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) Building, Gateway Health Building, and a utility steam tunnel repair.
The work for the steam tunnel repair at the far west end of UBlvd is anticipated to be complete by May 14, 2022. Once complete, access to this area will be available. The UBlvd Lot will remain open.
Learn more on the Facilities website.
Construction on campus
The May 2022 Infrastructure Development/Properties Trust construction project map is now available on the Facilities website.
New job strategy session (NJSS): April 26, 2022
Construction Office
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First Nations Longhouse: Repair of the exterior wooden gate, deck, and garden to be completed before August 31, 2022, prior to the opening date of the Collegium.
Facilities team saves the day for Ukrainian fundraiser
Last week, the generator for the event fell through at a Ukrainian frozen perogies fundraiser organized by the Faculty of Forestry.
Thankfully, Municipal Services’ Streets & Operations Support (SOS) crew, with the help of Stores and the electricians, the teams quickly sprung into action and delivered a generator to the event within an hour.
Thank you for the quick response and excellent team work! Great job!
Metro Vancouver's Watering Restrictions come into effect on May 1, 2022
Did you know that your lawn needs as little as 2 cm of water — equivalent to one hour of rain or watering — a week to stay healthy?
Stage one of Metro Vancouver’s Lawn Watering Regulations will be in effect from May 1, 2022 to October 15, 2022, as outlined in Metro Vancouver’s Drinking Water Conservation Plan. This year, both residential and non-residential watering is only allowed once a week, instead of previous years’ allowance of twice a week.
To find out when you are allowed to water your lawn, visit the Lawn Watering Regulations page of the Metro Vancouver website.
UBC Facilities Apprenticeship Program is growing
We have recently posted an IUOE Millwright Apprenticeship — available on Workday:
What does a Millwright do at UBC?
- Fabricate/Install new University machinery and equipment.
- Operate lathes and milling machines and machine shop tools to fabricate parts and components.
- Perform inspections and conduct preventative maintenance of equipment.
- Diagnose equipment failures and/or malfunctions using the automated Building Management System and repair as needed.
- Undertake equipment performance testing and commissioning.
- Rebuild compressors, pumps, pneumatic/hydraulic systems and material handling systems.
- Read and interpret schematics, blueprints, operating manuals to assist in the installation, diagnostic and repair of equipment.
How do you become an apprentice?
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) manages the apprenticeship system and certifies skilled trades. Most apprentices take four years to complete, with 80% of the learning taking place at the worksite and 20% with an ITA-recognized training provider. An apprenticeship is a work-then-school cycle repeated each year for about four years.
Facilities currently has 3 active apprentices (2 Landscape Technicians, 1 Mechanic) and 3 under recruitment (1 Landscape Technician, 1 Sheet Metal and 1 Millwright).
What is the application process?
Those interested should submit their application in Workday before the posting closes. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to complete a BCIT trades pre-entry test on the four components listed below:
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Reasoning
- Physics
The trades pre-entry tests are designed to show that you have the necessary academic skills to succeed in your trades or technical studies program. For more information, visit the BCIT website
After in-person interviews are conducted and evaluated, the successful candidate will be awarded the position and will begin their apprenticeship journey.
For further details, please reach out to one of the Facilities Apprenticeship Committee Members
Transitioning from COVID-19 Safety Plans to a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework
As of May 1, 2022, UBC is transitioning from COVID-19 Safety Plans to a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework in alignment with the BC Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, and Public Health Guidance for Post-Secondary Institutions. This means the university will replace the seven institutional plans, with a Communicable Disease Prevention Framework to cover all UBC activities.
For more information and an FAQ, visit the Safety & Risk Services website.
Emergency Preparedness Week is May 1-7, 2022
As part of the UBC campus community, join us during Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) to increase our community’s resilience and learn more about emergency preparedness. EP Week is a national event supported by Public Safety Canada.
Preparing for an emergency does not need to be difficult. Start by getting informed on the risks in your community, make-a-plan, and then build a kit. We all have a role to play in an emergency, and we want you to Get Informed, Get Prepared, and Take Action so you, your loved ones, and your community are better prepared for emergencies.
UBC faculty and staff can now receive a 10% discount on items in the Total Prepare website. Use code UBC-SRS-EP at checkout. Some restrictions may apply.
Learn more: ready.ubc.ca/epweek2022
Welcome to the team
- Ethan McIndoe, Steven Smith, and Steve Morris join Facilities as Labourer 2 (Seasonal) this week.
- Clayton Mullen is joining Energy & Water Services as Senior Manager of Thermal Utilities on May 16. He'll be working closely with Jason Rako, Plant Chief Engineer and leading the Thermal Utilities team to improve practices and processes.
- Happy Retirement to Jayant Jethwa, Project Manager in Project Services within Infrastructure Development. His last day at UBC was April 29, 2022.
Job openings
All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Millwright (JR7181) – closing May 4
- Tool Crib/Store Operator (JR7435) – May 5, 2022
- Municipal Engineer (JR6992) – closing May 15
Don't forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review the Apply for an Internal Job Posting guide in the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on how to apply.
In case you've missed it
Here is a quick recap of key events and information that you may have missed. For more details, please click on the links below or refer to our weekly portfolio newsletter, VPFO Update.
EDI – Join us in Mental Health Week: May 2-8
Every year the Canadian Mental Health Association encourages Canadians to focus on mental health – this year, the theme is empathy. When someone is struggling, they don’t always need someone to swoop in and fix things for them. First, they need someone to understand where they’re coming from. Empathy can help us know ourselves and our own feelings, as well as help us lead, communicate and support and connect with others.
What is Mental Health?
Understanding mental health can sometimes be a challenge. Join Miranda Massie (a member of UBC’s Workplace Wellbeing team) on a quick journey to learn more about mental health and boost your mental health literacy.
Watch short video
UBC Resources
We want to highlight some of the resources for UBC faculty and staff as we focus on mental health this week.
Learn more on the UBC HR website
Emergency Tip: Learn basic First Aid and CPR
Following a disaster, first responders will be overwhelmed and assisting those that are severely injured. Having basic first aid and CPR skills is an important part of personal emergency preparedness, and it may help you save the life of loved ones and neighbors. Contact your local chapter of the Canadian Red Cross today to get trained, or visit their website to sign up.
Our Campus Security patrol officers are Occupational First Aid Level 2 (OFA2) certified and provides First Aid for students, faculty, staff, student-staff, and visitors on the UBC Vancouver Point Grey campus. If you are faculty, staff, or student staff and require first aid on campus, please dial 604-822-4444. If you are a student or visitor and require first aid on campus, please dial 604-822-2222. For emergencies, first call 9-1-1 and then call Campus Security for First Aid.
Building Safety Capacity: Safe Driving on Campus
It is important that when you are behind the wheel to abide by the Motor Vehicle Act's rules of the road, especially in a UBC-branded vehicle. This will help to ensure a safe community and set a good example for all drivers.
When driving on and off campus, please ensure the following are consistently practiced:
- Wear your seatbelt at all times.
- Use the vehicle or hand signals prior to any maneuver.
- Stop fully at all Stop signs.
- Pull over to the side of the road or park if you need to use the cell phone.
- Always err on the side of caution.
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health: Why Kindness Matters
Kindness has been proven to release "feel-good" hormones (like oxytocin and serotonin) that make us feel more calm, happy, and energetic, and can also improve overall health and wellbeing by:
- Lowering stress levels
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Preventing illness and reducing pain
- Strengthening relationships
Being kind can be innate, but it is also something we can intentionally practice. In fact, kindness has been shown to be contagious — it makes us feel good to simply see someone being kind and makes us more likely to pay it forward.
Here are some quick and easy things that we can all do to create an atmosphere of kindness at work:
- Show appreciation — when someone has gone above and beyond, let them know you appreciate it. Try using the Kindness Card attached to pay it forward!
- Acknowledge effort — take time at the start of a meeting to thank team members for their contributions, whether big or small.
- Lend a hand — if a co-worker is feeling stressed, ask if there is something you can do to help them out.
- Show you care — don't shy away from showing colleagues you care about them as people first. Ask them how they're doing, listen to what's going on with them and have the courage to talk openly.
Managing your mental health
Human Resources has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view more workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our HR representatives are always available for a confidential conversation:
- Monica Haab (monica.haab@ubc.ca): Building Operations, Energy & Water Services, Customer Services & Informatics, and Municipal Services
- Arvind Kang (akang03@mail.ubc.ca): Custodial Services and Infrastructure Development
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