It’s a typical day at any local City of Ottawa facility. Maintenance Helpers and Facility Operators are busy ensuring that all the building amenities are in working order. Whether it’s flooding the arena’s ice surface, helping fix a leaky pipe in one of the changing rooms or monitoring the pool water quality in the aquatics area, there’s always something to be addressed. If the description of the work immediately conjured up an image of a male worker, you are not alone in assuming this. Facility maintenance has long been perceived as a male-dominated field.
However, Kelsey Burton, Allison Davis, and Jess Morozuk are just some of the few women utilizing their dedication and talents to help support our City facilities – enhancing the client experience for so many residents.
All three women work part-time at recreation facilities across the city, but they connect with each other in the Females in Facility Operations Service group. Their goal is to discuss workplace challenges and inspire more women to thrive in the Maintenance Helper position.
Kelsey Burton
Kelsey Burton works out of the Sandy Hill Arena. She first started her journey as a custodian, but then applied to the City’s Maintenance Helper position for the hands-on physical work and the wide variety of duties.
Well, the Maintenance Helper position didn’t disappoint. “So, you could plan your whole day, like fixing a hole in a wall,” explained Kelsey. “But then someone calls about a drain leaking and you need to check it out. You can call me a Jack or Jill of all trades. I love the aspect of learning new things all the time and guessing what’s going to happen next.”
Kelsey admitted there were challenges in the past. “One of the biggest challenges as a woman was being heard,” she reflected.
Kelsey commends the Females in Facility Operations Service group as a resource and support network for women working in Facilities Operations Service – further advocating inclusivity and sharing experiences.
Regarding her work environment, Kelsey enjoys the team dynamic of her workplace. She feels that she’s being heard and never overlooked. “We all talk to each other, and we work well together,” adds Kelsey. “The crew is a well-oiled machine. If you’re a new person coming in, they’re always ready to take you in and show you everything you want to know.”
Allison Davis
Allison Davis joined the Facility Operations Service team during the COVID-19 pandemic after working several years at the Ottawa Hospital. Being a single mom of four young children, this part-time position allowed her to balance her work and family life.
Allison enjoys the hands-on nature of her work and the variety of duties. “Not every day is the same. One day, you could be on the rink moving nets and then you’re at the fire station making sure everything is up to code,” explained Allison. “It’s maintenance work and it’s like you’re taking care of your house, but it’s in City of Ottawa buildings.”
“Yes, it has been a male-dominant profession in the past,” echoed Allison. “But more and more there’s a handful of females joining.”
She sees the Females in Facility Operations Service group as a support system for women in trades, citing many females are hesitant to try new roles. “Perhaps they are too shy or shy to become part of it,” emphasized Allison. “I like using my hands, I like doing different things. So, if I can be an advocate for other women who are the same, then I love to be that inspiration.”
So, for any women looking to get into trades, Allison encourages them to apply to the part-time Maintenance Helper position. “The working dynamics are great,” added Allison. “We have people ranging from 18 years old to 42 and older. So, it’s all genders, age groups and backgrounds working together as a team.”
“I highly recommend any young woman who wants to pursue this career to absolutely do it,” added Allison. “You work as a team player, and everybody helps each other out. If you don’t have a background in maintenance work, staff are always here to support. And that’s what you are here for, to learn and continue to grow in your job.”
Jessica Morozuk
Jessica Morozuk is a Maintenance Helper who works out of the Nepean Sportsplex. She defines her job as the “go-to” person onsite for everything. Her roles include cleaning, setting up meeting rooms with tables and chairs, emptying receptacles, pool checks and all the set-ups and tear downs for events.
The main reason for her joining the Females in Facility Operations Service group was the opportunity to get together with her female colleagues and support each other by sharing their challenges and experiences.
“In these complexes, women are slowly making their way up,” said Jessica. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of approaching things in a different way. Sometimes male staff can just say the parts of a machine for someone to understand how they work, while female staff have to visually see where it is in the machine to fully understand what they are talking about.”
However, the minor challenge that Jessica experiences is the physical part of the job. “I am not one the strongest ones here in the complex,” laughed Jessica. “So, you have to do things a little differently, like using a hand cart or a gator to bring things around the building.”
But she loves working with her team. “I always say we are one big, happy family here. We have some brothers, we have some sisters, and we have uncles and aunts,” said Jessica. “We work together and support each as much as we can.”
Jessica provided some sage advice for people interested in pursuing an opportunity as a Maintenance Helper with the City of Ottawa. “When you come here to work, my advice to make sure you are pleased at the end of day,” advised Jessica. “Some days you may make a mistake, or things aren’t going right. Your best way to learn new things is just keep moving forward, do your best and keep an open mind. You will find your way.”
New opportunities for Maintenance Helper positions now available
If you are interested in pursuing any available part-time Maintenance Helper position, check out the latest opportunities at ottawa.ca/jobs. You can complete an application and submit your resume online today.
As Alison Davis said, “No matter your age or gender, go do it, you have nothing to lose because you will always have the support and opportunity to branch out.”
Jess Morozuk: There's going to be days where you're not doing the right thing and that you've done things wrong. Your best way is to just continue on and please yourself. Teamwork can be hard. There's going to be a lot of people showing you and telling you different ways to do it. You'll find your way and you do it that way.
Allison Davis: You work as a team player, so everybody helps each other out. If you don't know something, somebody else brings something to the table. If you don't understand anything, there's always someone there to support you. The City of Ottawa, especially, there's so many branches you could depart to, there's room for improvement. They always have tons of education and classes and courses. I was a volunteer firefighter for years. I have three young daughters, and I feel like I would never want to stop them from doing something they want, and I'd always like to encourage it. So go and do it. You have nothing to lose. Except for support and branching out.
Text: Join our team. ottawa.ca/jobs.