Space Planning Assistant

About Toronto Metropolitan

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is on a transformative path to become Canada's leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and  2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

The team 

Toronto Metropolitan University's Facilities Management and Development (FMD) department involves care of the physical environment of the campus and strategic planning for existing and future spaces, including the impacts of those spaces. FMD is responsible for functions including Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Services, Maintenance and Operations, Planning and Development, Project Management Office, Real Estate, and Sustainability.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about functional planning of spaces at a leading University in Canada? Are you #bold and innovative in your thinking and collaborative in your approach with stakeholders to meet the space needs of academic, research and administrative departments? Do you have a knack for organizing and analyzing data? If you have a background in Architecture or Interior Design and have answered yes to the above questions, you will want to find out more about our Space Planning Assistant career opportunity on our Facilities team. 
The Space Planning Assistant supports the Manager, Space Planning in the creation of feasibility studies, functional programs and space utilization audits in order to meet the space needs of academic programs, research and administrative departments, in support of the University's Academic Plan. 
 

They carry out data analysis of all space data collected from audits and other inputs for university reporting. The Space Planning Assistant is responsible for the data maintenance of the departmental space databases and related CAD floor plans.
 

Here are some of the things you would be doing in this role:
 

• Plan and coordinate client group meetings with external functional programmers, architects, and TMU capital projects staff to meet project deadlines, and coordinate the client group sign-off process for the final program. 
• Design, coordinate and run a variety of university-wide space audits on behalf of Facilities Management and Development to collect and maintain facilities data on an ongoing basis.
• Collect, maintain and generate departmental space optimization data.
• Analyze space audit utilization data to create foundation for space metrics, optimization strategies and space planning.
   

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Completion of a post-secondary diploma program in a relevant field (such as Architecture, Interior Design or similar). 
• A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience in institutional space audits, data collection, CAD drawings and client/user-group meetings
• Experience writing functional space reports, documenting and using space standards and developing policies and procedures. 
• Experience in data analysis and reporting for institutional facilities.
• Experience in project management and supporting user groups throughout the programming process and in the transition planning and occupancy of new facilities.
• Ability to read, comprehend and create architectural drawings and specifications.
• Confident and strong communication skills and proven relationship building with internal and external clients and team members.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills and expertise in database applications (e.g. Excel, google sheets - advanced / expert skills).
• Demonstrated knowledge of and proficiency in contemporary space utilization systems and software (like ARCHIBUS), drawing applications e.g. AutoCAD, and office automation systems (e.g. MS Office, Google suites).
• Understanding of building design and space standards appropriate for post- secondary educational facilities.

Additional Information

Additional Notes:

• Qualified OPSEU candidates will be considered before members of other employee groups.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Applicants who do not meet all of the posted qualifications may, upon the University's sole discretion, be considered to fill a vacancy on an underfill basis.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated record of dependability/reliability and a commitment to maintain confidentiality.
• We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.  
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community.  We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform.  All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.