Get to know F&S: Jim Tetley
For Campus Moving Supervisor Jim Tetley, moving is about more than having a strong back.
Jim Tetley has worked around the University of Toronto in various capacities since 2008, including at the Temerty MedStore, and joined Facilities & Services in 2024. The transition has not been a difficult one, however, thanks to his team. “When you start a new job, you wonder if you’re going to fit in, but even though I joined the team as their supervisor, they immediately pulled me in.”
With Campus Moving handling up to 100 jobs every week, Tetley oversees the work weeks ahead of time, organized by his lead hand, Michael Correia. The moving team consists of nine full-time movers and typically includes around 20 casual team members. They are headquartered in the South Borden Building, where tidy mountains of cocktail tables, chairs, exam desks and more can be found, ready to be brought in for events. In Tetley’s office, the walls are increasingly covered in pictures he’s taken of himself and the team, a testament to their camaraderie.
A typical day at work for Tetley begins with a team debrief where the moving assignments and particulars are reviewed. After everyone heads out, Tetley does his rounds, checking in with the customers and the team at each job. Tetley and his team debrief at lunch and at the end of the day, where they go over how the day went.
The Campus Moving team is tight-knit, spending all their breaks and lunches together, and Tetley wouldn’t have it any other way. “My team is really the most outstanding group of individuals that I’ve had the pleasure to work with,” he says.
Tetley’s team is busy year-round, taking on such varied jobs as event setups, transporting materials for theatrical sets, office moves, delivering liquid nitrogen to hospitals and more. In addition, Campus Moving works closely with the waste management team to transport all kinds of waste and recycling across and off campus. Tetley’s favourite jobs are the huge, high-demand events (like the annual OREP BBQ, holiday parties or convocation receptions) that get all his team on the same job together. “The whole team makes the work fun,” Tetley says. “One of the guys even brings in cookies for everyone.”
But the true highlight of his job is the positive feedback from customers on the team’s capability, be it a True Blue award or an appreciative email. “I was amazed at how well this team worked together,” said one customer. “Your commitment to the job was very appreciated … we couldn’t have done it without your team. Way to represent the university. Keep up the good work!”
Outside of work, Tetley enjoys golfing, writing and vacationing with his family.
Need help with a setup for a special event, or an office move or rearrangement? Learn more about Campus Moving, including a full list of their services, and how to set up a move.