Technical Officer - Plant Growth Facilities Maintenance Leader

Tenure:

Term

Duration: 2 Years

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements:

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We’re looking for a Plant Growth Facility Maintenance Leader to support NRC’s Aquatic and Crop Resource Development (ACRD) Research Centre. In this role, you will be responsible for the preventive and reactive maintenance of NRC’s Plant Growth Facilities (PGF)—a complex network of controlled-environment systems supporting advanced plant research.

You will ensure the reliable operation of a large collection of plant growth chambers, contribute to the design and installation of new equipment, and support continuous improvement in safety, energy efficiency, and environmental control.

The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, facility operations staff, contractors, and vendors to maintain and advance the performance of NRC’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

If you’re a technically skilled, safety-minded professional with a passion for precision systems and sustainable facility operations, we’d like to hear from you.

The key responsibilities of the technical officer are the following:

• Maintains the facility work site, equipment, and tools, and recommends corrective actions for non-serviceable items. Ensures technical logs, records, regulatory documentation, and inventories are complete and accurate. Builds and maintains peer networks and conducts literature reviews to stay current with technological advancements.
• Monitors and troubleshoots issues affecting facility systems and growth chambers, including refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, electronic, and integrated control systems. Initiates and performs repairs or coordinates corrective actions with NRC facility staff, stakeholders, or contracted trades personnel.
• Develops a facility preventative maintenance schedule and contributes to project planning and annual maintenance budget development. Prepares estimates and procures goods and services required for the PGF, ensuring adherence to defined fiscal limits and NRC procurement policies. Oversees the purchase and inventory of standard supplies, components, and parts.
• Validates technical instructions and protocols for various laboratory setups, identifies issues, and develops solutions. This may include preparing work sites, selecting materials, and assembling or fabricating new equipment, devices, or systems.
• Performs regular calibration and performance verification of equipment and instrument sensors. Prepares detailed calibration and maintenance reports and maintains comprehensive records of upgrades, tests, and analyses to ensure operational reliability.
• Promotes and adheres to NRC’s established health, safety, and environmental standards. Participates in hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation planning. Reports safety and environmental concerns and proposes improvements to enhance workplace safety and compliance.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A technical diploma of at least 2 or 3 years in one of the following fields:

• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Electrical Engineering Technology
• HVAC/R Technology
• Industrial Maintenance/Millwright
• Building Systems Technology
• Electrical with Red Seal Electrician
• Instrumentation Technician

Certification Status: Must hold a valid Saskatchewan Journeyperson Certification or an interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement (RSE)

One or more trade certifications, or eligibility for licensing in Saskatchewan, in the aforementioned technical fields such as, HVAC/R (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic), Industrial electrician or Instrumentation and Control Technician would be considered desirable asset(s).

Equivalency:

An equivalent combination of education and extensive experience in maintaining controlled environment systems, such as growth chambers, greenhouses, or other precision environmental facilities, may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Hands on industrial maintenance experience in, research, biotech, greenhouse, or controlled environment facilities, including at least 2 of refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, and environmental control systems.
• Experience in troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing laboratory or facility equipment, supported by root cause analysis, interpretation of technical drawings/schematics, and application of compliance standards.
• Experience coordinating and communicating across diverse teams including internal and external stakeholders, vendors and contractors.
• Experience in documentation and compliance reporting, including preventive maintenance records, calibration logs, change control, deviation reporting, scheduling, and regulatory documentation using a computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

Experience* as mentioned above is defined as at least 2-3 years of working experience.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Physical ability to perform maintenance tasks including lifting heavy objects (up to 22 kg), standing, climbing ladders with work performed in dusty, wet, noisy and varying temperature conditions.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of Environmental Control Systems, Plant Growth and Tissue Culture chambers and their components for the purpose of monitoring effective operation and identifying the need for repair.
• Knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance practices as related to heating and ventilation systems (HVAC), refrigeration, electrical or plumbing equipment.
• Knowledge of maintenance programs, asset lifecycles and assessment, documentation and reliability engineering.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and trade governance with ability to effectively develop, validate and explain safety, or technical procedures to others.

Behavioural competencies

• Research Technician/Technologist - Teamwork (Level 1)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Initiative (Level 2)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Client focus (Level 1)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Results orientation (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research Technician/Technologist;

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $66,126 to $91,012 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.