Advisor, Facility Planning Architecture & Design

 Reference Number : 1022 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $86 366 - $106 687

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 10/03/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Facility Management, the incumbent serves as the company’s principal expert in architectural and technical design. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining sustainable architectural standards and technical specifications that ensure VIA passenger facilities are safe, functional, and comfortable.Guided by corporate strategy and planning directives, the incumbent translates organizational requirements into comprehensive architectural programs and masterplans that align with sustainable mobility policies, applicable guidelines, and funding parameters.

This position plays a vital strategic and operational role in the stewardship of VIA’s fixed asset portfolio. By overseeing the production, updating, and organization of architectural and technical drawings, managing operational projects—and centralizing all project documentation—the Advisor contributes directly to the creation of a reliable, scalable database of VIA’s facilities and infrastructure.This foundational work enables informed investment decisions for maintenance and development by ensuring documentation is accurate, traceable, and aligned with standards. It also establishes the critical knowledge base needed for effective long-term asset and portfolio planning.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development and ongoing maintenance of sustainable architectural and design standards and specifications for the construction and upkeep of stations, maintenance centers, office spaces, furniture, and amenities essential to VIA’s passenger terminals and service facilities. This is accomplished using best practices in architectural design;
• Produces and updates technical drawings using AutoCAD: modifies existing plans or creates new ones based on input from planning and execution project managers. Ensures compliance with internal standards and proper file naming conventions. Coordinates with various stakeholders to verify the accuracy of graphic data;
• Compiles and analyzes facility and business requirements, translating them into architectural programs, project designs, and masterplans that align with corporate strategy and comply with sustainable mobility policies, applicable guidelines, and funding and planning directives;
• Maintains and organizes the existing repository of drawings and project documentation: ensures that all drawings, documents, and version histories are properly archived, indexed, and easily accessible. Implements document control protocols to support traceability and version management. Conducts regular reviews of folder structures and enhances organization to improve efficiency and accessibility;

• Leads or collaborates with internal departments, internal clients, and external professionals to successfully deliver pre-project feasibility studies, operational projects, business cases, and preliminary architectural design concepts that align with corporate strategies, regulatory codes, and business requirements;

  Supports project managers throughout planning and execution phases by:

  • Providing technical expertise in documenting scopes of work, layouts, and project modifications;
  • Preparing drawing sets and documentation packages for internal reviews and external contractors;
  • Participating in coordination meetings to anticipate upcoming needs and ensure alignment;
  • Reviewing project deliverables—including plans and technical specifications—to verify code compliance and design accuracy;
  • Contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of costing tools to reflect current market pricing and assist with accurate budget forecasting for future projects;

• Serves as a quality control authority by reviewing drawings and specifications prepared by professionals and external consultants at every stage of a project, including major construction initiatives, to ensure compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and VIA standards. Assists in the evaluation of shop drawings and consulting deliverables across various projects. Acts as a liaison with contractors and other stakeholders to support smooth project execution;
• Maintains and regularly updates the facilities standards library ensures internal design and documentation standards remain current and incorporate lessons learned from previous projects. Coordinates updates with engineering, architectural, and asset management teams. Supports product research and development by identifying appropriate material substitutions, engaging with suppliers, and managing the samples library. Serves as a key point of contact for staff seeking access to design and documentation standards;
• Serves as a technical resource in construction problem-solving, product sourcing, and evaluation, while developing recommendations for innovative materials and design solutions. Provides direct support to Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle;
• Supports the development and structuring of a digital inventory of fixed assets—including infrastructure and facilities—by:
  • Assisting in the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive asset database using drawings and related metadata;
  • Linking spatial data to key asset attributes such as location, area, function, and construction or renovation year;
  • Collaborating with the team to establish the foundation for a centralized facilities management system;
  • Contributing to the definition of processes and tools for drawing and asset data management;
  • Identifying gaps in information access across departments and proposing actionable solutions to enhance technical data availability and accuracy;

Exigences

• Diploma in Architectural Technology, Engineering Technology, or equivalent;
• 2 to 4 years of relevant work experience in a similar technical support or drafting role;
• Proficiency in AutoCAD;
• Familiarity with document management systems and basic file organization principles;
• Experience in an architecture, engineering, or construction environment;
• Experience with BIM or digital twins is considered as an asset;
• Effective and cooperative leadership;
• Good understanding of applicable laws, codes, standards and regulations;
• Excellent organizational and motivational skills;
• Outstanding attention to detail and observation ability;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, both oral & written in English and French;
• Excellent computer skills MsOffice suite;
• Ability to travel throughout VIA’s network ;      
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy;
• Organizational and archiving skills;
• Ability to manage multiple requests and prioritize tasks;
• Collaborative mindset and service-oriented attitude;
• Knowledge of building systems or infrastructure projects, applicable laws, codes, standards and regulations;
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, both oral & written in English and French;
• Ability to travel throughout VIA’s network.  

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!