Our Workforce
Providing service excellence to the Kingston community - our multi-utility model is made up of interdependent groups that are bound together by this one collective aim.
Our employees have a diverse set of skills, knowledge and talents. They take pride in supporting our large network of infrastructure in water, sewer, gas, electric, fibre, and streetlights and traffic signals operations.
Employees tell us that Utilities Kingston is a great place to do great work. The diversity of what we do creates unique development opportunities. Our multi-utility structure allows employees to communicate and collaborate across utilities, which allows us to innovate and create, resulting in excellent customer care and service.
233
Employees
44.25
Average Employee Age
12.81
Average Years of Service
Our longest tenure employees celebrated over 40 years of service in 2015
Recruitment, Selection & Retention
From licensed journeypersons to electricians, gas operators and millwrights, certified accountants, professional engineers and certified human resources professionals - recruitment activities are diverse.
Utilities Kingston recruits and retains the best talent for our organization. In 2015, 15 employees left our employment through normal channels of attrition and eight vacancies were created.
Posted opportunities and positions filled increased by 61 per cent from 2014. Internally we offered seven existing employees new opportunities from within, further developing our in-house skill and talent. Additionally, four temporary employees were awarded permanent positions.
What We Do
Our employees are experts in many fields of specialties and trades. Get a glimpse into our multi-utility model and how various positions contribute to the organization, while maintaining and enhancing the city of Kingston.
Recognizing our Employees
Thank you to our partner, the City of Kingston, for inviting us to participate in their inaugural TRIP awards that embody Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Pride.
Utilities Kingston and the City of Kingston recognized two of our employees for their outstanding work in customer service excellence and health and safety. Winners were nominated by other Utilities Kingston employees and chosen by a diverse panel of their peers.
Award recipients received locally-handcrafted awards. Locator Mike Pritchard (left) was the recipient of a health and safety award. Service person Greg Ede accepted the customer service award. They are joined by president and CEO Jim Keech.
Student Employment
Developing the next generation of skilled workers is important to us. Through our student employment opportunities, hands-on experience helps teach the skills, knowledge and education necessary in the fields and trades of our industry. In 2015, we provided 18 students with the opportunity to gain meaningful employment with Utilities Kingston in various positions including communications, information systems, utilities engineering, water and wastewater operations, billing and credit, and hydro and business services.
Communications
In 2015, the organization continued to focus on internal communications. A large part of the communications plan involved increased messaging to employees about current business drivers and how various departments are serving the Kingston community.
Internal communications consisted of continued newsletters and position profiles videos to keep employees up-to-date about staff and community events. External communications aimed at customers and the Kingston community were also provided to employees to ensure they received relevant and current information. For example, employees were kept up-to-date about rate changes, outages and frozen water services.
Feedback has been positive on the increased flow of information to our staff regarding what is going on across the organization and in the community.