Job Description

As a critical member of the Venue & Ice Operations team at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the B-Class Refrigeration Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant, efficient, reliable operation of the refrigeration plant and related venue systems at Coca-Cola Coliseum. This role supports the operation of the ice surface, maintains plant and ice condition records, responds to refrigeration plant conditions in real time, and works closely with CCC venue operations personnel to maintain event readiness and guest/team standards.

Reporting to: Manager, Ice Operations

Main Responsibility: Operate, monitor, and support maintenance of the Coca-Cola Coliseum refrigeration plant and related critical building systems to meet TSSA compliance obligations, maintain safe plant operation, and deliver high-quality ice conditions for games, practices, conversions, and events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide required certified operating attendance/coverage and monitor the CCC refrigeration plant, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, secondary coolant systems, safety devices, controls, and related mechanical equipment.
• Conduct regular plant rounds, inspections, readings, and system checks to verify safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation.
• Maintain accurate refrigeration plant logbooks, shift records, inspection notes, maintenance records, temperature/humidity logs, and ice condition documentation.
• Respond to plant alarms, abnormal operating conditions, control faults, equipment failures, potential refrigerant issues, and emergency shutdown requirements in a timely and competent manner.
• Troubleshoot plant and building system issues, escalate concerns appropriately, and coordinate corrective action with the Manager, Ice Operations, Venue Operations, Engineering, and approved contractors.
• Support preventative maintenance, maintenance program execution, asset condition checks, equipment isolation, lockout/tagout processes, and safe restart/shutdown activities as required.
• Support ice installation, removal, maintenance, painting, recoveries, game/practice preparation, and event conversion requirements as directed by the Manager, Ice Operations.
• Monitor and help maintain ice quality conditions, including slab/ice temperature, brine/glycol temperatures, humidity, building conditions, ice thickness, and surface standards.
• Collaborate with CCC venue operations personnel, building operators, ice crew, event operations, conversions teams, contractors, and other MLSE departments to support safe and reliable venue operations.
• Complete work orders, equipment checks, deficiency reports, and follow-up documentation to ensure operational readiness and audit traceability.
• Ensure work is performed in compliance with TSSA requirements, Ontario OHSA, WHMIS, applicable refrigeration codes and standards, CCC emergency procedures, and MLSE safety standards.
• Participate in safety training, emergency response procedures, drills, incident reviews, and operational readiness planning related to the refrigeration plant and arena operations.
• Promote safe work practices, hazard identification, housekeeping, and controlled access within mechanical rooms, plant rooms, and event-facing work areas.
• Provide operational support to other MLSE venues and functions as required, with primary assignment at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
• Work shifts as required by the plant operating schedule, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, event days, and peak operating periods.
• scheduling of part time / 3rd party Class-B Refrigeration Operators to ensure compliance obligations are met

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid TSSA Refrigeration Operator Class B Certificate of Qualification, active and in good standing; equivalent or higher qualification may be considered where it satisfies the CCC plant requirement.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience operating refrigeration plants and/or central utility systems in a commercial, institutional, industrial, sports, entertainment, or mission-critical environment.
• Demonstrated experience with large refrigeration systems, ice rink refrigeration systems, or arena operations; ammonia or industrial refrigeration experience is a strong asset where applicable to the plant.
• Strong working knowledge of refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, heat transfer, pumps, secondary coolant systems, controls, safety devices, and plant operating procedures.
• Working knowledge of O. Reg. 219/01, TSSA requirements, OHSA, WHMIS, lockout/tagout, hazard identification, safe work permitting, and emergency response expectations.
• Experience using building automation systems, plant control systems, alarm panels, BAS/SCADA interfaces, and computerized maintenance/work order systems.
• Proven ability to independently monitor, operate, troubleshoot, document, and escalate plant conditions under pressure.
• Ability to read and interpret operating procedures, equipment manuals, mechanical drawings, P&IDs, control screens, logbooks, and maintenance documentation.
• Experience supporting ice installation, ice maintenance, ice resurfacing operations, and event conversions is preferred.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to work effectively with venue operations, ice operations, contractors, engineering, event teams, and management.
• Experience working in a unionized, multi-venue, sports, entertainment, or public assembly environment is preferred.   
• Ability to perform physical work in mechanical rooms, arena spaces, and plant environments, including walking plant floors, climbing stairs/ladders, equipment inspections, and exposure to noise, temperature variation, and mechanical systems.
• Availability for shift-based work, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and event-driven scheduling requirements.

Job Posting Compensation Range/Rate:

$90,000- $100,000