Water and Wastewater Technician

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.

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

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?

In this role, you will support the optimal operation of complex and advanced Class 4 Wastewater Treatment facilities and Class 2 Wastewater Collection facilities. Working on a rotating schedule, this position ensures the safe and efficient operation of all systems required to operate wastewater facilities, pumping stations and collections systems in order to protect the health of residents and for protection of the environment.

Equipped with personal protective equipment you will need to be able to work in all weather conditions, in confined spaces, dirty and/or noisy environments and have physical dexterity. In water / wastewater facilities, physical dexterity includes but is not limited to: walking, standing, sitting, lifting floor to waist, lifting waist to shoulder, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, stair climbing, ladder climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying, handling, fingering, reaching forward, reaching overhead.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• Must hold a minimum Operator in Training (OIT) in Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection certification(s) specific to the facility and in accordance with the applicable regulation O.Reg. 129/04 of the Ontario Water Resources Act and have the ability to achieve certification to the highest level of the facility. Operator in Training (OIT) candidates will be paid at the underfill pay rate.
  
• Valid Class G driver's license.
  
• Must be available for overtime and have the ability to be on-call after regularly scheduled hours, weekends and holidays as part of a rotation.
  
• Must be willing to work shifts (Days, nights, weekends and holidays).
  
• Must be able to respond to on-call within a reasonable period of time.

Knowledge

• Applied knowledge of the operation and maintenance of advanced wastewater treatment plants, with conventional treatment, and Biosolids processes; Commissioning and process changes in relation to the wastewater facility.
  
• General knowledge of industrial processes, maintenance and repair of a variety of equipment and structures such as hydraulic, electric and mechanical plant equipment such as gauges, pumps, valves, fittings, piping, tanks, heating boilers, incinerators, hydraulic ram pumps, centrifuges, air blowers, screens and conveyors and sufficient to operate, inspect, clean, and maintain them by conducting scheduled readings and recordings; monitoring local process conditions and equipment operations (flow rates, temperatures and pressures).
  
• Familiarity with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations for the safe performance of his/her duties. Knowledge of occupational hazards and standard safety precautions including storage of chemicals, confined space entry, equipment lockout/tagging and personal protective equipment.
  
• Knowledge of basic mathematics in order to make calculations regarding chemicals and operating processes.
  
• Familiarity/competency with computerized monitoring systems such as SCADA, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and overall computer literacy to record data from inspections and monitoring activities to complete work orders and project forms to initiate repairs for maintenance.
  
• Working knowledge of basic chemistry, biology, thermodynamics and hydrology and be able to apply these principles to operational activities and process adjustments.

Skills and Ability

• Analytical and evaluative skills to identify and correct operating discrepancies; to trace abnormal conditions or noise; to report major deviations or conditions that don't respond to normal corrective actions; and to determine from several choices the method to restore normal operating conditions.
  
• Good oral communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with clients and mentor/train new staff.
  
• Good problem solving skills to report equipment problems or malfunctions in order to ensure urgency of the problem is conveyed and understood, and to receive direction for corrective response.
  
• Good written communication skills to write reports and maintain neat and accurate records.
  
• Ability to work well in a team, and to take initiative when required.
  
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints engineering drawings and follow process drawings to aid in troubleshooting equipment problems.
  
• Ability to use and understand operating and maintenance manuals, and other technical specifications.
  
• A demonstrated interest in continuous learning.
  
• Equipped with personal protective equipment ability to work in all weather conditions, in confined spaces, dirty and/or noisy environments and have physical dexterity. In water / wastewater facilities, physical dexterity includes but is not limited to: walking, standing, sitting, lifting floor to waist, lifting waist to shoulder, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, stair climbing, ladder climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying, handling, fingering, reaching forward, reaching overhead.

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.

Note: Thank you for your interest, we will contact you only if we choose you for further screening or an interview.