Please see full position summary and how to apply here
About Queen’s University
Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.
We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
Come work with us!
Job Summary
The Queen’s University Biology Station (QUBS) is located near the village of Chaffey’s Lock, approximately 50kms north of Kingston, Ontario, and is the largest inland university-based field station in Canada with over 3,400 hectares of property. Its primary mandate is to provide opportunities for university teaching and research in the biological and related sciences. QUBS has two campuses: Opinicon Lake (hereafter Opinicon), where most research and teaching occurs, and Elbow Lake, known as the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (ELEEC), which offers public and school outreach. The Opinicon Campus provides daily meals, accommodation, lab space, technical equipment, computer systems, weather stations, and safety equipment, with on- site accommodation for over 90 residents.
Reporting to the Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), the Manager, Operations & Stewardship (Opinicon) is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the Opinicon Campus and associated lands, including; liaising with stakeholders/users, booking activities, budgeting and invoicing, records management, maintenance, stewardship, and advertisement/marketing. The Operations & Stewardship Manager (Opinicon), is required to confer regularly with the Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), on all maintenance, outreach, pedagogical and research activities to be undertaken to minimize overlap, achieve economy in operating budgets and maximize income for both the ELEEC and Opinicon QUBS Campuses and to finance short and long term Opinicon Campus costs.
Non-traditional hours, including evening and/or weekend commitments are required during peak periods. Ability to reside on-site during peak periods required, with option of living at Opinicon year-round.
Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Managing Bookings & Access
• Oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Opinicon Campus.
• Coordinates accommodation, laboratory bookings and booking of other facilities to ensure maximum occupancy and smooth transitions among users.
• Maintains on-site presence at the Opinicon Campus for bookings and events, ensuring knowledge of all regulatory requirements for Opinicon Campus activities.
• Builds and maintains strong community relations with local landowners, other stakeholders and partners such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
• In partnership with the Director (QUBS) and the Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), seeks additional users via workshops, conferences, retreats, field courses, researchers, public groups, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Health & Safety
• As a Competent Supervisor, as defined under the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act, and in accordance with University policy, Supervisors are responsible for:
• Ensuring that employees under their supervision have completed the required health and safety orientation training.
• Conducting workplace health and safety orientations that are documented using the health and safety orientation checklist available through the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
• Maintaining copies of the health and safety orientation check lists for the employees under their Supervision. Participates in the development, maintenance and implementation of the Opinicon Campus health and safety program, policies and procedures; accountable for health and safety documentation.
• Performs and documents monthly health and safety audits (e.g. testing fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, etc.), liaising with the University Environmental Health & Safety Department when required.
• Ensures that all Opinicon Campus users fill out the appropriate waivers, user form and have been trained on all safety regulations, policies and procedures.
• Oversees waterfront and boating safety, including compliance with provincial boating regulations, specifically that all Opinicon Campus users of motorized watercraft; have appropriate licensing, wear personal floating devices, and carry a boat safety kit
• Ensures that all safety equipment and signage is present at the waterfront.
• Protects own health and health of others by adopting safe work practices, reporting unsafe conditions immediately and attending all relevant in-services regarding occupational health and safety. Follows all guidelines for employees and employers as legislated under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Accounting & Record-Keeping
• Liaises with the Biology or Faculty administrative staff to ensure that all users are invoiced in a timely manner, and that payment is made within 30 days.
• Liaises with administrative staff to ensure that all bills are paid as appropriate including utilities and bills for maintenance.
• Maintains records of all activities and users, prepares annual summaries of usage and budget, and assists with creating the annual QUBS report.
• Assists with the preparation of some grant applications.
Outreach, Research & Teaching Activities
• Provides logistical assistance to users to meet their teaching and research needs as required.
• Oversees the logistics of outreach programming by others – i.e. workshops, seminars, special events such as the annual open house, etc.
• Liaises with the Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS) and Manager, Operations & Stewardship (ELEEC) to minimize overlap and achieve synergies in scheduled activities.
Maintenance & Stewardship
• Liaises with Opinicon Campus stakeholders/users and Director and/or Senior Manager, Program and Administration, QUBS, to report and resolve issues/concerns.
• Engages in stewardship activities for QUBS landholdings with the exception of the ELEEC, including maintenance of trails and markers and the removal of deadfall when appropriate, and/or mowing fields to help maintain a habitat mosaic.
• Undertakes maintenance and repair of infrastructure and building projects, such as small cabins, bridges, docks and outdoor furniture, etc.
• Oversees the maintenance of all equipment including; trucks, All Terrain Vehicles, tractors, mowers, as well as tools in the main workshop.
• Monitors and assists with maintenance of computers, Wi-Fi network, climate stations and other technical equipment, reporting issues and/or concerns to the Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS) or Director, when appropriate.
• Oversees maintenance of watercraft, motors, pumps, paddles, oars and life jackets.
• Regularly confers with the Operations and Stewardship Manager (ELEEC) to minimize overlap in purchases and to share human resources on major maintenance and stewardship tasks.
• Assists with monthly drinking water testing to ensure compliance with provincial standards.
• Assists in ensuring that all users comply with Animal Care and Biohazard requirements.
• Ensures that roads are ploughed at the Opinicon Campus during the winter season, and graded during all other seasons.
• Undertakes other related duties as required.
Human Resource Supervision
• Provides work direction, and technical/functional guidance to staff. Schedules and assigns work, and oversees its completion. Coordinates and monitors work flow.
• Schedules and approves, or recommends the approval of, employees’ hours of work, overtime and absences. Monitors and oversees employee attendance.
• Participates in screening and interviewing job candidates, and providing input on staff selection.
• Reviews assignments and provides feedback on work to employees. Provides input on work performance to management staff.
• Provides orientation and on-the-job training to employees in the unit. Provides coaching and feedback on work quality issues, providing related day-to-day supervision. Escalates unresolved performance and/or disciplinary matters to management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• University degree in Biology, Environmental Science or related discipline an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practice in safety procedures, and experience maintaining safety equipment.
• Experience in building and/or repairs. Demonstrated skills in various trades including, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical and mechanics would be an asset.
• Sound basic computer and office skills, including proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s license required. Experience driving a large tractor and piloting various watercrafts an asset.
• Enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, natural history or environmental issues.
• Consideration given to a combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to oversee varied tasks, prioritize duties and complete activities in a busy environment with multiple stakeholders/users and competing interests.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• As a representative of the University and QUBS, strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact and communicate with multiple stakeholders/users in a professional, respectful manner, demonstrating tact and diplomacy. Stakeholders/users include: members of the public, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, professors, alumni, Department of Biology colleagues and QUBS colleagues.
• Ability to coordinate and schedule events/activities in consultation with stakeholders/users and Opinicon Campus staff.
• Competent bookkeeping skills with the ability to maintain and keep detailed records and budgets, allowing for easy retrieval of accurate information.
• Knowledge of all regulations applicable to QUBS, protocols and practices (including animal care, consumption of alcohol on-site, etc.) and competent supervisor knowledge of safety procedures and safety equipment.
DECISION MAKING:
• Effective decision-making ability including knowing when to address issues independently and when to refer to the Director and/or Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), or other program supervisors.
• In consultation with the Director and/or Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), assists with decisions regarding the roster of activities to be undertaken.
• Decides on bookings for users including dates and nature of accommodation.
• Determines when to report on safety issues in accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act and the Workplace and Insurance Board (WSIB), when to alert the Director and/or Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS), and when to call emergency services.
• Decides on priorities within own workload ensuring that deadlines and deliverables are met and documents hours of work consistent with QUBS and University requirements.
• Assists the Director and/or Senior Manager, Program and Administration (QUBS) in human resources planning.
• Assesses the suitability of job candidates and recommends the most appropriate person for hire.
• Determines priorities and makes decisions about staff utilization and the assignment of work to achieve optimum efficiencies and productivity.
• Assesses employees’ training needs and makes recommendations for internal or external training to attain proficiency.
• Monitors and assesses output and the quality of employees’ work, and recommends need for formal training or development plans to management and identifies possible staff performance and/or disciplinary issues.
Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.