Manager, Water Operations and Maintenance

Region of Waterloo; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Region of Waterloo is seeking a Manager, Water Operations and Maintenance to lead the operation of more than 250 water facilities in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. You will oversee Supervisors and staff, coordinate 24/7 on-call coverage, and drive maintenance programs using SCADA and CMMS systems.

You will provide technical guidance, manage budgets and contracts, ensure regulatory compliance, and collaborate with municipalities on water quality and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or civil engineering or related field, with relevant municipal experience.
• MOE Class IV Water Treatment and Class IV Water Distribution certificates (or eligibility).
• Strong leadership and contract management abilities.
• Ability to read/prepare technical and administrative reports and present to Council.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Supervisors of Operations & Maintenance and other staff.
• Act as ORO to provide 24/7 response and coordinate resources.
• Develop and implement water operations policies and maintenance procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act and permits.
• Participate in capital planning, asset management and project teams.
• Liaise with municipalities and public on water quality issues.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Regulatory knowledge

SCADA & CMMS familiarity

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or civil engineering or related field

Tools

SCADA

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Manager, Water Operations and Maintenance

Manages the operation and maintenance of over 250 water production, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and its Regulations. Acts as the overall responsible operator (ORO) for the Region’s water system per legislation.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises Supervisors of Operations & Maintenance, Supervisors of Systems, and Supervisors of Process & Compliance. Indirectly supervises additional unionized and non-unionized staff. Administers contracts with contractors and consultants.
• Acts as ORO to provide 24/7 response and support to on-call supervisors. Coordinates resources to ensure regulatory requirements are met.
• Develops and implements operational and administrative policies and procedures for the maintenance and operation of water production, treatment, storage, pumping facilities, distribution, watermains and SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). Manages the development and implementation of maintenance management procedures and use of the computerized maintenance management system.
• Manages to ensure compliance with legislation and Municipal Drinking Water License and Drinking Water Works Permit. Implements regulations from the Safe Drinking Water/Clean Water Act and associated regulations.
• Plans and negotiates shared responsibility for watermain operation and maintenance with area municipalities, and resolves water supply and water quality issues with same and the public.
• Manages Townships of North Dumfries and Wellesley distribution systems, operation and maintenance, including the backflow prevention program. Works with Finance to resolve billing issues. Manages enforcement of related by-laws.
• Provides input into capital project planning, asset management design, and maintenance and decision systems related to water supply and transmission for capital program implementation. Participates on project teams with Design& Construction for implementation. Liaises with engineering staff regarding facility repair, replacement, and upgrading.
• Provides technical advice/expertise to divisional staff/management in water supply development, and maintenance programs. Provides water operations information, and coordinates project activities with other departments. Works with corporate communicates staff on communications/ marketing strategies related to water operations.
• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of technical studies, policies, and programs.
• Manages the Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS). Manages to ensure processes and procedures are in place including training, auditing, work coverage, and related maintenance programs to ensure compliance with legislation and conformance. Manages water sampling and testing (physical, chemical, biological, radiological condition) as legislated.
• Manages response to adverse events.
• Manages staff certification, training and development, per legislation.
• Manages Ministry inspections.
• Manages programs for the Section (e.g., safety management, asset management, health and safety, designated substance, controlled energy, confined space).
• Manages emergency contingency plans (e.g., power/systems failures, watermain breaks, chemical spills/leaks, equipment breakdowns).
• Develops protocols, reviews and approves recommendations from staff regarding investigation and resolution of water quality complaints. Manages resolution of customer complaints and inquiries.
• Participates in union/management meetings, collective agreement negotiations, working groups/committees, and associations in the water industry.
• Prepares/participates in annual water supply performance indicator reports and benchmarking.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides reports to the Director (e.g., water usage, water quality, trends) for planning purposes; and Council for regulatory and operational/budgetary purposes. Reviews, approves, and releases public media notices. Publishes annual water quality reports, per legislation.
• Prepares and administers the operations and capital budgets, and financial plan per legislation. Has signing authority. Manages tank space leasing and distribution billing.
• Manages security and maintenance of water supply and infrastructure (e.g., UV disinfection units, automation control infrastructure). Manages safe use and security of vehicles, materials, and equipment (e.g., chemical delivery truck, tools, instrumentation equipment). Manages maintenance and use of the computerized maintenance management system.
• Discusses water quality issues with other divisional and Public Health staff. Works with Legal Services on issues related to legal agreements. Resolves issues related to billing, property damage, and procurement with Finance.
• Discusses technical issues and resolves public complaints with area municipalities. Administers contracts with consultants, suppliers, and contractors. Exchanges information with Ministries and conservation authority.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of water treatment, operations, maintenance management, water distribution systems, and water quality standards, processes, and procedures, normally acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., science, civil engineering), plus progressively responsible related experience in a municipal engineering/project management environment.
• Must have or be eligible for Ministry of the Environment Class IV Water Treatment and Class IV Water Distribution water operation certificates.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, by-laws, and legislation (e.g., drinking water protection, health and safety, building and electrical codes, environmental protection).
• Analytical problem solving and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop objectives and goals, including administrative, technical, operational, and financial components; ensure operations meet legislated requirements; analyze operations performance/data, policy, and procedures to evaluate data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.
• Leadership, negotiation, and human relations skills to manage, train, develop, motivate, and support staff; present issues and reports to Council and Committees; participate on committees; respond to inquiries and resolve escalated complaints from the public; exchange information with Ministries, conservation authority, and area municipalities; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret technical and administrative reports, policy and procedure manuals, letters, and memorandums. Ability to write technical and administrative reports to Council and Committees, abstracts, publications, newsletters, presentations, media releases, and correspondences to other departments, external organizations, and developers.
• Computer skills using software such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), a computerized maintenance management system, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to adjust schedule to work evening and weekend hours to respond to emergencies, and attend open houses and public meetings as needed.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [e-mail] , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number 519 575 4400.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).