Senior Operations Manager

Ontario Clean Water Agency; Brechin; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible learning and development

Career advancement opportunities

Defined benefit pension plan

Comprehensive health plan

Maternity and parental leave top-up

Job summary

Ontario Clean Water Agency is seeking a qualified professional to oversee wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems. You will supervise capital expansion programs and contribute to major plant designs, ensuring compliance with regulations and management systems.

Lead strategic and technical guidance for maintenance strategies, coordinate with regional teams and clients, and advise on best practices to support OCWA’s objectives.

Qualifications

• Certification/license in WT, WWT, WD and WWC or equivalent
• Post-secondary education in environment/management or skilled trades
• Ability to obtain ORO certification for the facility
• Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Provide expert operational input for wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems.
• Supervise capital expansion program activities for water/wastewater facilities.
• Contribute to design plans for major plant expansion and procurement processes.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and management systems.
• Lead strategic/technical advice to management and clients on maintenance strategies.

Skills

Communication & relationship mgmt

Leadership & team mentoring

Analytical & problem solving

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Adaptability & prioritization

Education

Post-secondary education in environment/management or skilled trades

Tools

SCADA

CMMS

Budgeting software

Job description

Apply By: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Water is our business and our passion. It can be yours too. The water professionals at OCWA know the value of water better than anyone. Our work benefits communities across Ontario every day. Our job (and possibly yours) is also to return treated and safe water back to our lakes and rivers. At OCWA, we have a deep respect for the environment and our responsibility for the health of the communities we serve drives us. A job at OCWA is an opportunity to make a positive impact on millions—a big responsibility. Are you ready? We think you are. So come on in. The water is perfect.

About the job

In this role you will:

• Provide expert operational input and oversee the management and administration of efficient and safe water/wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems.
• Supervise all aspects and impacts of capital expansion programs of water/wastewater treatment facilities.
• Provide expert operational input to the engineering, pre-design and design plans for major plant expansion.
• Ensure operating compliance with existing legislation and management systems.
• Negotiate with the client in regards to all aspects of contracts.
• Lead/provide strategic/technical expertise, advice and policy recommendations to regional/OCWA management and regional clients/partners on preventative maintenance strategies and technical solutions to support client operations and OCWA business development objectives.

Mandatory requirements

• Certification/license in WT, WWT, WD and WWC
• May consider lesser qualified candidates as under fill - minimum Level OIT as specified in (Reg. 128/04 and 129/04)
• Ability to be ORO for the facility
• Be available after regular hours to advise staff and client of operational emergencies
• Valid driver's license

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Technical knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices related to wastewater treatment and collection systems; operations and processes to lead/manage regional maintenance and electrical programs and technical services related to process control and legislation/standards compliance and ensure optimum operation of regional facilities.
• Technical knowledge of water treatment and distribution maintenance best practices and standards, and industrial, electrical and electronic instrumentation and control theory, principles and practices and assessment techniques for the selection, repair, troubleshooting and maintenance of a wide variety of complex control, monitoring and telemetry communication systems to plan and lead maintenance and electrical system construction, monitoring, and repair operations.
• Ability to obtain certification to the highest level of the facilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of SCADA system, alarms monitoring, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and applicable financial programs for budgeting and presentations.
• Ability to comprehend and apply asset management practices.
• Knowledge and application of energy management principles.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, polices, standards and procedures to manage the development and delivery of regional maintenance and electrical systems, processes and services.
• Demonstrated operational management skills to lead the day-to-day coordination and control of maintenance and electrical process services to large complex facilities, plants and systems.
• Knowledge of maintenance inspection principles and methods to lead the conducting of equipment/system reviews, regulatory inspections, and compliance and health/safety audits.
• Conceptual, analytical, problem solving and risk management skills to lead the identification and analysis of preventative maintenance issues/gaps and the research/assessment of process optimization opportunities and system/service options/strategies to meet needs.
• Post-secondary education in environment, management or skilled trades.

Skills and Ability include:

• Communication, Political Acuity and Relationship Management Skills.
• Knowledge of client business goals and directions, economic/market environmental changes that impact on client's long-term business plans.
• Knowledge of business management practices to operate efficiently in order to realize gain while maintaining a high level of service.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, conceptual, consultation and problem solving skills.
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research, planning and evaluating skills.
• Proficiency in strategically identifying research and development needs for the Agency.
• Exceptional organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize well and meet strict deadlines.

Leadership Skills:

• You have demonstrated leadership experience to develop, manage and mentor a team for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with organization objectives.
• You have experience developing and overseeing strategic plans, policy and program initiatives.
• You have demonstrated skills in developing, building and leading organizational capacity through inclusive, positive, and values-based leadership.

Other Essential Skills:

• Knowledge of financial resources management to develop and manage department budget and capital projects.
• Knowledge of procurement policies and procedures to oversee all stages of acquisition of goods and services and prepare RFQs and RFPs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human resources management practices, policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Leading and promoting a health and safety culture.

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

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 application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is an inclusive employer and we offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions if you require a disability-related accommodation.

The Ontario Clean Water Agency is an agency of the Province of Ontario, reporting to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. As the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Canada, we manage over 800 facilities from small well systems and lagoons to large water and wastewater treatment plants. Consider this opportunity if you are a motivated, team oriented individual seeking a career in the water and wastewater industry.

We thank you for your interest, and we will only contact you if we choose you for further screening or an interview.

What we offer

• Flexible learning and development opportunities
• Opportunities for career advancement and specialization with the largest provider of water and wastewater services in Ontario.
• A wide-ranging compensation structure focused on pay for certification, on-call pay, call-back pay, over-time and Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) pay.
• 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.