Work Learn: Safety Student Assistant and Facilities Student Assistant

Role Details

Available Roles: 2

Job Titles:

The job description below describes two available roles that support the the Mech Safety and Facilities team:

  • Safety Student Assistant (CareersOnline ID 978825)
  • Facilities Student Assistant (CareersOnline ID 978823)

Hours Per Week: 10  | Total Hours: 300

Salary/Wage: $26.02

Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2024

To Apply: please visit CareersOnline to and search the ID to find the job description and apply. The roles are open to current students in either an Undergraduate, Masters, or PhD Program.

Rolling Basis Interview: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The role will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.


Job Description

Position Summary:

The Mech Safety and Facilities team provides first hand service for all stakeholders working within the Mechanical Engineering Department. The Facilities Student Assistant will work with the facilities team to ensure the smooth operation of department labs, to help coordinate projects related to facilities such as renovations and moves, and to execute facilities related tasks.

Typically, this includes:

  • Ensuring safety equipment in the labs are in good working order through testing and careful record-keeping;
  • Reviewing lab manuals and safety instructions;
  • Working with researchers, technical staff, and student groups to analyze the gaps between current space availability and user needs, including technical specifications (power requirements, ventilation, etc.).
  • Updating, auditing, and maintaining a comprehensive workbook of facilities, spaces, and major equipment in the Department;
  • Planning sequential moves, determining task dependencies and creating Gantt charts;
  • Working with the facilities team, Building Operations, Project Services, and external architects and contractors;
  • Creating checklists for work packages and accompanying labourers who are clearing spaces to ensure everything is completed correctly;
  • Creating and hanging signage, applying boundary floor marking tape, and helping with physical moving of equipment;
  • Work cooperatively with the Safety Student Assistant in cross-training and support;
  • Manage drop-in enquiries, answering basic questions, and triaging other questions for senior Facilities and Safety team members
  • Observing and critically thinking about operations, processes, methodologies, and policies in the Department and raising opportunities to improve them.

Supervision Received:

The student will receive day-to-day supervision from the Facilities and Administration Coordinator, and mentoring from the Manager, Facilities & Safety.  Tasks will vary in complexity, partially based on the knowledge and background of the selected student, with the intention of steadily increasing the difficulty and complexity of tasks as the student grows in the position. Depending on their experience, the successful candidate will have a leadership role in one or more projects, and will be a team member in others.

Without the support of the Facilities and Safety Projects Assistant, it would not be possible to provide an enhanced level of service and to improve the safety and facilities for the high demand of teaching and research labs.

This position will play a key role in implementing recommendations the Department has received related to safety and facilities, and will assist in moving forward projects that are part of the Department’s commitment to continual improvement and excellence in teaching and research. The Department’s Mission is “To serve society through innovation and excellence in teaching and research,” and it is impossible to complete the mission without safe, appropriate facilities.

Qualifications

Students who meet the qualifications below will be considered, with preference being given to mechanical engineering students who have completed the Mech 2 program.

To be successful in the position, students must:

  • Be open to learning and being challenged;
  • Be willing to search for information from multiple places;
  • Be ready to work on a dynamic and enthusiastic team;
  • Be flexible to perform a wide variety of work;
  • Have excellent problem-solving skills;
  • Be ready to bring forward their own ideas and actively engage with their team;
  • Have a basic understanding of the facilities, tools, and equipment used in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (able to identify them, ask relevant questions – but not necessarily use them);
  • Have strong communication skills, both oral and written;
  • Be able to work safely in technical facilities;
  • Be able and willing to work on-site during a subset of our business hours (which hours is flexible).

The ideal candidate will be engaged, interested in contributing to the Mech community, and will show initiative and a desire to contribute.