Darren Vars
Calgary,AB
Summary
Innovative Electrical professional with several years of diverse experience. Skilled in enhancing systems and aligning technical solutions with business objectives. Proven success in leading projects from start to finish and contributing to organizational growth and success.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR
LNG Canada
10.2022 - 06.2024
- Oversee subcontractor to ensure construction and installation of the electrical system is installed according to engineered specifications
- Document progress with daily reports and photos
- Participate in daily Toolbox talk with various crews to instill a safety-first culture from a client perspective
- Pre-commissioning with Prime and sub contractors for Hipot, VLF, Megger, Ductor testing before subsequent energizations, function and run activities
- Siemens GIS 69kv & 6.9kv switchgear
- ABB 600v MCCs & VSDs
- Gutor UPS
- Thermon EHT systems
- Multiple vendor training sessions.
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION FOREMAN
Action Electric
08.2020 - 09.2022
- Oversee Electrical crew of 20 for installation of 25KV supply to dual redundant 480V/6000A system at 300,000sq.ft world class Walmart DIstribution Centre with zero incidents
- All in ground and Electrical Room conduits up to 4” associated with Distribution
- 2.5MW generator and Automatic transfer switches
- Implement QA/QC to ensure seamless start up and energization
- High Voltage Deadbreak terminations
- LOTO duties to provide personnel safety for site electrical crew of 50
- BC Hydro power upgrade for customer site
- R&R 2 transformers and Power Distribution Units
- Distribution & UPS installation for DPWorld expansion at Port of Vancouver
- Various shutdown projects for power upgrades.
ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
Division 16 Technologies
12.2019 - 08.2020
- Electrical service van, maintenance & small projects for various clients throughout the Greater Vancouver area
- Responsible for installation and completion of new commercial kitchen electrical for extended care facility.
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Aggregate Electrical Services
06.2019 - 12.2019
- Electrical service, maintenance and projects for Aggregate facilities
- Motor controls, VFDs, Capacitor banks, Generators.
ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE NIGHTSHIFT LEAD
Stuart Olson Industrial
06.2017 - 06.2019
- North West Redwater Sturgeon refinery
- Assisted NWR operators for dynamic commissioning and plant start up
- Run & Maintain duties as required by Plant operators including 4.16kv & 600v switching
- Monitor Raychem Heat trace system in real time from Enterprise controller for alarms and troubleshoot issue to prevent freezing
- Setpoint changes and programming as required or requested by Operations
- Troubleshoot & repair various electrical systems
- Plan and coordinate shift work for electrical crewof 12 between NWR Management & Operations and trades
- Administrative duties including Operations pre shift meetings, Maximo Work Order management system and shift log for following shift team.
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Schneider Electric Canada
01.2015 - 04.2017
- North West Redwater Sturgeon refinery - Client
- Pre-commissioning of 17 Schneider manufactured Electrical PEBs & equipment consisting of 35KV GIS, 5KV & 600V AIS switchgear/MCCs & UPS systems
- Transformer testing & maintenance up to 35KV/60MVA
- Testing of electrical equipment as per commissioning sheets provided by NWR including but not limited to Point to Point, Contact resistance, Insulation Resistance, CT/PT, TTR, Hi-Pot, VLF
- ITR, NCR, RFI documentation for Commissioning Manager to facilitate turnover to client
- Worked closely with NWR representatives in walkdowns and punchlists
- Manage subcontractor crew of 30 for testing and punchlist items with zero incidents
- Commission UPS systems including function and battery discharge tests
- Service, warranty & deficiency work for listed equipment.
ELECTRICAL COMMISSIONING TECHNICIAN
BLACK & MCDONALD
11.2014 - 01.2015
- Commissioning of Surmont 2 project for Conoco Phillips under direction of Bantrel Management Services
- All pre commissioning, dynamic commissioning and accurate recording of results on CP supplied ITRs for turn over to client.
ELECTRICAL / LOTO TECHNICIAN
Kentz Canada
03.2014 - 11.2014
- LOTO Technician, zero incidents
- Lockout & Tagout of static and dynamic equipment for testing and commissioning
- Accurate record keeping and tracking of Isolations and isolating devices
- Worked with Syncrude permitting personnel and SIF(Safety Instrumented Function) system to ensure safety of workers & equipment during construction and commissioning.
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN/PROJECT MANAGER
Powell Canada
05.2013 - 03.2014
- Maintenance and service of Medium Voltage Switchgear from 5KV-25KV
- Perform commissioning and testing duties at various new and existing projects
- LOTO as required
- Manage Isolated Phase Bus installation at Imperial Oil Nabiye site for Delta Unibus crew.
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN
MMR Canada
06.2012 - 04.2013
- Integrated Systems Completion Team and for the Kearl Lake Oil Sands project
- Pre commissioning & commissioning of switchgear- 5KV/600V, transformers-72KV/4160V, motors, and small power circuits.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Pyramid Corporation
11.2010 - 06.2012
- Maintenance electrician for oil wells and upgrading plants at CNRL Pelican Lake
- Part of team to implement a maintenance program for new Polymer Injection department
- Execute work orders using APEX field software & construction of prefab MCC buildings for Conoco Philips at Nisku Mod Yard
- LOTO as required
- Site-wide PLC changeover project from PLC-5 to Control Logix system.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Cayman Islands
10.2004 - 10.2010
- Manage and operations of the business as well as working as a journeyman electrician for service-based company including new works
- Maintenance, new construction and commissioning of new facilities for Reverse Osmosis Desalination potable water plant for Consolidated Water Company
- Fit out commercial tenant buildings with EMT pipe work throughout with voltages of 208/120 and 277/480 HVAC installation & troubleshooting.
- Installing all residential wiring in high-end residential projects in a slab, PVC pipe and wire type system to meet Dade County, Florida hurricane construction standards
- Carrying out all aspects of electrical trade work in accordance with NEC and local Cayman Islands codes
- Assisting in Hurricane Ivan recovery, leading to a longer-term position emphasizing high-end custom homes.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
IBEW, AB, Canada
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Albian Sands project for Shell Canada, Construction & QA/QC
- Syncrude UE-1, construction
- Install all PLCs, HVAC controls, power distribution (4160V) with high voltage terminations and switchgear
- Foreman of 14 person crew to commission Froth Plant 87 at Suncor Energy
- Construction of Millennium Project at Suncor Energy
- Foreman of 14 person crew during construction of E3 expansion at Joffre Nova Chemicals.
OWNER/JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Lynx Electric Ltd, Old Crow, YT
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Manage and operate electrical business serving Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation
- Trained VGFN members in electrical work practices.
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Various Companies And Locations In YT, AB and BC, Canada
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Journeyman Electrician for various Commercial & residential companies including: Ben’s Electric, Whitehorse, YT Canem Systems, Edmonton AB Alkan Electric, Whitehorse, YT Hartley Electric, Vancouver,BC.
APPRENTICE/JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Kerry’s Electric, Whitehorse, YT
01.1987 - 01.1995
- Began electrical apprenticeship and completed Red Seal certification.
Education
Journeyman Certificate - Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Certificate
01.1995
Apprenticeship Training - Level IV - Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops B.C.
01.1995
Apprenticeship Training - Level III - B.C.I.T., Burnaby B.C.
01.1994
Apprenticeship Training - Level II - Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops B.C.
01.1992
Apprenticeship Training - Level I - Camosun College, Victoria B.C.
01.1991
High School - F.H.Collins High School, Whitehorse Yukon
01.1986
Skills
- Inter-provincial Red Seal Journeyman Electrician (1995)
- LSE – Leadership for Safety Excellence
- Petroleum Safety Training (PST with CSTS)
- OSSA Fall protection training
- Certified operator of various types of EWPs – JLG, scissor lift, etc
- BC Hydro site access
- Motors and AC Drives
- Circuit Breaker Testing and Maintenance
- Commissioning and Testing
- ESTS
- Arc Flash
- IT: MS Office
- Crew Leadership
- Attention to Detail
- Effective Communication
- Dedicated Work Ethic
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Workplace Safety
- Worksite safety
- Construction supervision
- Quality Control
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Job Planning
- Safety policies and procedures
- Equipment Oversight
- Project Leadership
- Project Management
- Blueprint Interpretation
- Commercial construction experience
- Technical knowledge
- Schematics and Blueprints
- Subcontractor Management
- Maintenance Management
- Electrical Installation
- Workforce Management
References
References are available on request.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR
LNG Canada
10.2022 - 06.2024
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION FOREMAN
Action Electric
08.2020 - 09.2022
ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
Division 16 Technologies
12.2019 - 08.2020
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Aggregate Electrical Services
06.2019 - 12.2019
ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE NIGHTSHIFT LEAD
Stuart Olson Industrial
06.2017 - 06.2019
FIELD SERVICE TECHNICIAN
Schneider Electric Canada
01.2015 - 04.2017
ELECTRICAL COMMISSIONING TECHNICIAN
BLACK & MCDONALD
11.2014 - 01.2015
ELECTRICAL / LOTO TECHNICIAN
Kentz Canada
03.2014 - 11.2014
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN/PROJECT MANAGER
Powell Canada
05.2013 - 03.2014
ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN
MMR Canada
06.2012 - 04.2013
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Pyramid Corporation
11.2010 - 06.2012
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Cayman Islands
10.2004 - 10.2010
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
IBEW, AB, Canada
01.2000 - 01.2004
OWNER/JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Lynx Electric Ltd, Old Crow, YT
01.1997 - 01.1999
JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Various Companies And Locations In YT, AB and BC, Canada
01.1995 - 01.1997
APPRENTICE/JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN
Kerry’s Electric, Whitehorse, YT
01.1987 - 01.1995
Journeyman Certificate - Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyman Certificate
Apprenticeship Training - Level IV - Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops B.C.
Apprenticeship Training - Level III - B.C.I.T., Burnaby B.C.
Apprenticeship Training - Level II - Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops B.C.
Apprenticeship Training - Level I - Camosun College, Victoria B.C.
High School - F.H.Collins High School, Whitehorse Yukon
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