Operations Supervisor, Water And Wastewater

The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) believes in Our Communities, Our Environment and Our People. As a trusted partner to municipalities, First Nations communities, businesses, governments and institutions across Ontario, we provide our clients with total solutions in water and wastewater. We are dedicated to working closely with our clients to help them build healthy sustainable communities and organizations and provide safe and reliable drinking water to thousands of Ontarians each day.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Join our team as a water/wastewater professional with OCWA!

In this role, you will lead and administer the provision of competitive and safe water and wastewater treatment services of a large cluster of plants within the Kawartha Trent Region. You will provide guidance to operations and maintenance staff, oversee and support the operation, maintenance and management of a group of facilities within the cluster, ensuring compliance with legislative requirement, OCWA Policy and Procedure and contractual obligations, client service principles and contractual obligations. The incumbent will also act as Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) or Operator in Charge (OIC).

How do I qualify?

Mandatory:

• A valid Class 1 water, wastewater, distribution and collection certificate with a willingness and ability to obtain certification at the highest level of the facilities; at least a minimum Class 1 Certification specific to the facility and in accordance with O. Reg. 128/04 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and/or O. Reg. 129/04 of the Ontario Water Resources Act.
  
• Must be able to oversee construction projects for development or major repairs of facilities and plants.
  
• Valid Class G driver's license and required to travel within the Region.
  
• Be available for overtime and ability to be on-call after regular working hours as part of a rotation, with the ability to respond to on-call within a reasonable period.
  
• Act as the Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) or Operator in Charge (OIC).
  
• Must be able to schedule, coordinate and assign projects; identify opportunities for improving effectiveness and efficiency of facilities and make recommendations and proposals.
  
• Bilingual English and French would be an asset.

Knowledge

• Knowledge, experience and training of water and wastewater treatment processes in order to operate the facilities, including current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, Acts related to water/wastewater operations, health and safety.
  
• A strong understanding of complex mechanical equipment and electronic controls used in industrial processes in order to optimize asset management programs and develop written procedures for asset care and protection.
  
• Good knowledge of various codes, standards and policies related to administration, finance and knowledge of procurement policies and directives.
  
• An understanding of inventory and records management techniques to fulfill contractual obligations.
  
• Working knowledge of asset management principles, methodologies, and technologies in water and wastewater applications.
  
• Demonstrated experience with supervising staff to train, direct and assign work activities.
  
• Ensure optimization of resources, staffing and financial, to effectively maintain the continuity of operations and maintenance services programs, as well assessing potential environmental impacts or health and safety concerns.
  
• Actively participate OCWA's health and safety policies and philosophies, ensuring the safety and well-being of your coworkers.
  
• Ability to address regulatory issues that require action, and assess and respond to operational problems and emergencies; assess and determine the completion of work on construction projects and approve contractor invoices, respond to requests for information and/or complaints.

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills to provide technical information, presentations and on-the-job assistance to other staff.
  
• Ability to take managers direction to implement, monitor, assess and improve to meet goals and objectives including team leadership and coordinating skills to motivate staff to meet goals and objectives.
  
• Excellent project management skills and abilities, work planning and scheduling skills to optimize the staff time based on operational needs and to ensure effective coordination of plant operations.
  
• Analytical and evaluating skills to assess costs, technical needs, and options to solve problems in order to resolve problems and to develop recommendations.
  
• Influencing and advisory skills to make effective and persuasive recommendations to management on the improvement to the effectiveness and efficiency of facilities.

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with operations staff, clients, various levels of government, prepare reports and recommendations to management, and address and resolve issues and complaints from external sources.

Other Essential Skills:

• Good planning, financial and analytical skills to manage and plan multiple projects & assess project priorities.
  
• Ability to optimize and implement changes to processes to improve facilities operations.
  
• Ability to complete documentation that ensures adherence to the applicable acts and regulations and contractual reports for clients.
  
• Requires strong proficiency in the office and operational computerized systems.

What's in it for you?

• Flexible learning and development opportunities.
  
• Opportunities for career advancement and specialization with the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Ontario.
  
• You will be eligible for additional pay for certification, should you be successful in completing and maintaining facility water/wastewater operator's licenses.
  
• Work with the partner of choice for more communities than any other water and wastewater service organization in Ontario for over 30 years.
  
• Work with an organization committed to innovation and advanced technology.
  
• A defined benefit pension plan; Comprehensive Health Plan; Life and Disability Insurance.
  
• Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits including for adoptive parents.

Ontario Clean Water Agency is an inclusive employer.

We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is an agency of the Province of Ontario, reporting to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. In 2023, OCWA staff treated water and wastewater, and provided other technical services for 318 clients in the province including 169 municipalities, 16 First Nations, 108 commercial and industrial clients and 25 government and institutional clients. Municipal clients range in size from populations as large as 1.5 million in the Region of Peel to as small as 2,400 in Moose Factory. This broad scope of experience ensures OCWA has the expertise to solve any issues that may arise, in any size or type of treatment process in the province. Our Agency has grown its municipal client base every year over the past 30 years is proof of this value. We continue to focus on our people and strategies to attract and retain competent staff.