Sub-Head Labourer

Job Title
Sub-Head Labourer

Job Category
CUPE 116

Job Profile
CUPE 116 Salaried - Sub-Head Labourer

Job Family Group
Staff - Union

Department
Waste Management | Municipal Services | Facilities

Compensation Range
$4,877.00 - $5,317.00 CAD Monthly

Job End Date
Ongoing

Posting End Date
November 26, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Description Summary

UBC Building Operations provides comprehensive facilities maintenance, operations and renovation services for lands and buildings owned by the University of British Columbia. The Municipal Services group is responsible for providing waste management services, soft and hard landscape services, automotive and equipment maintenance as well as moving and general labour services for all of the Vancouver campus .

The Sub-Head Labourer supervises, allocates, coordinates and organizes the work of an assigned area and/or group of labourers and other workers engaged in hard landscape maintenance, moving services and project trades support and organize and allocate associated equipment and materials for job sites.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Head Labourer.

Work Performed

Supervises, allocates, coordinates and organizes an assigned group of labourers and workers engaged in hard landscape maintenance, moving services and project trades support work, such as, roadway, sidewalk, pathway and parking lot maintenance, traffic sign and street furniture installation and maintenance, snow and ice clearing, gutter and rooftop cleaning, drainage installation , movement of equipment, furniture, supplies and construction materials and project trades assistance and cleanup, including the operation of forklifts, road sweepers, crane trucks, dump trucks, backhoes and skid steer and front end loaders and other related equipment on assigned work projects; allocates and issues equipment and tools; maintains time records of workers and other records as required; and arranges for transport for workers to and from job sites.

Assists the Head to provide leadership and guidance, and helps to ensure operations are running according to policies/procedures.

Works alongside the Head to effectively train, supervise, and motivate employees and proactively resolves any staffing issues that arise. Openly encourages other team members to voice their ideas and concerns. Utilizes strength of team members to ensure optimal performance.

Develops and maintains cooperative and productive working relationships with team members and leads by example, fostering a cooperative and respectful work environment for their crew.

Liaises with the Head and stakeholders, and assists the Head with communicating plans to support departmental objectives and problem solving. Actively solicits ideas and opinions from others to efficiently and effectively accomplish strategic objectives. Investigates issues, and solicits multiple sources of advice prior to taking action when appropriate.

Ensures service levels are being met based on department objectives. Identifies and where possible implements effective mechanisms to deliver services, solutions for stakeholders. Seeks out and involves clients in assessing service, solutions or alternatives to determine ways to improve service.

Establishes and maintains relationships with stakeholders at the University. Collaborates with the Head to share information with crews and leadership and readily determines to whom to go to for relevant information. Partners with the Head and crew members to achieve expectations.

Works alongside the Head to challenge inefficient/ ineffective work processes and offer constructive alternatives.

Works with others to educate apprentices on job standards and practices. Monitors work and provides direction where needed.

Shares expertise with team members to support continuous learning and improvement. Advises, guides and coaches others on how to handle anticipated or real concerns and by sharing experiences

Works with Head to supervise by planning, assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work; includes completing performance evaluations and participating in the performance management process when necessary.

Schedules and coordinates the work of a group or groups of laborers, estimates manpower requirements and materials for various projects and work assignments.

Plans and allocates manpower and equipment required for the execution of work in accordance with work orders received; ensures that work is carried out in a timely and efficient manner.

Prepares cost estimates for jobs as required, including conducting of site visits to determine client needs and preparation of hazard and risk assessments for sign-off by management supervisor.

Participates in or performs the work of labourers.

Ensures that workers under his/her jurisdiction are properly trained and perform their duties in a correct and safe manner in accordance with all applicable safety standards and practices and university and departmental policies and procedures .

Deals with day to day problems by initiating appropriate action to correct the situation.

Carries out any other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of positions in this classification and may assume the head s role when required.

Participates in or performs the work of labourers, as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Makes decisions regarding the organization and allocation of required labouring work and associated equipment needs for assigned area and/or group; inappropriate decisions may result in service delays and costs. Errors in judgement could result in damage to University assets and/or an unsafe work environment, thereby increasing the chance of injuries.

Supervision Received

Works under general supervision and from oral and written instructions and according to established procedures.

Supervision Given

Coordinates, organizes and supervises the work of assigned group of labouring staff.

Minimum Qualifications
- A valid class 5 driver license
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

High School graduation. 3 years relevant experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience. . Skilled in the use of tools and equipment and in maintaining mowers and other gardening equipment. A working knowledge of industrial safety regulations. Ability to interpret specifications and work with a minimum of supervision. Ability to organize, allocate and supervise the work of other workers.
Ability to work with vehicle/equipment users, estimate costs and manpower requirements, exercise judgment, read and interpret requirements and take independent action and to write reports. Proficient user of PC s and Microsoft office software.
Ability to adapt to changing workload priorities, effectively reprioritizing or deferring tasks in line with operational and strategic goals. Ability to effectively train, supervise, and motivate employees. Ability to communicate effectively with employees and stakeholders. Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner and effectively resolve complaints in a calm manner; exercising sound judgment. Ability to explain, assign, and monitor work of their assigned crew; communicating clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with team members and to lead by example; fostering a cooperative and respectful work environment for their crew.