Water & Wastewater Operator

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Elmvale; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible learning opportunities

Career advancement

Pension plan

Health plan

Parental leave top-up

Job summary

Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is seeking a dedicated operator to run and maintain water and wastewater facilities in the region. You will participate in on-call rotations, coordinate maintenance, and ensure safe, compliant operations.

Mandatory Class 1 water/wastewater certifications or eligibility for OIT, valid G license, and willingness to work overtime are required. OCWA offers comprehensive pay structures and certification incentives in Ontario.

Qualifications

• Class 1 wastewater/ water certifications required or eligible for OIT under-fill.
• Ability to obtain required Class 1 certifications within 180 days.
• Valid G driver's license and willingness to overtime/on-call.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain wastewater and water facilities in the region.
• Respond to on-call rotations and overtime as required.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance in daily operations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Planning

Scheduling

Maintenance

Communication

Teamwork

Manual labour

Education

Class 1 Wastewater Certification

Class 1 Water Treatment Certification

Class 1 Water Distribution Certification

Operator-in-Training (OIT) eligible

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Apply By:Tuesday, October 27, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

$27.92 - $31.06 Per hour* (plus pay for water and wastewater certification)
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

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 use your skills to operate and maintain the water and wastewater facilities within the Region.

Mandatory requirements

• Class 1 Wastewater Treatment, Class 1 Wastewater Collection, Class 1 Water Treatment and Class 1 Water Distribution and Supply.
• A lesser qualified candidate may be considered as an under-fill minimum Operator-in-Training (OIT), as specified in O.Reg. 128/04 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and O.Reg. 129/04 of the Ontario Water Resources Act.
• Should a successful applicant be employed as an under-fill Operator, he/she will be required to write and pass the required Class 1 certification exams and Limited Surface Water or Ground Water subsystem within 180 days from their start date.
• Must be available for overtime and ability to be on-call after regular working hours as part of a rotation and must be able to respond to on-call within a reasonable period of time.
• Valid Class G driver's license

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of wastewater treatment processes to operate the facilities.
• Working experience/knowledge of the skilled trades for the maintenance and repair of a variety of equipment and structures, including but not limited to the following skills: basic electrical repair, welding, plumbing, millwright and instrumentation.
• Sound knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and other relevant regulatory and legislative acts, codes, policies, guidelines and procedures related to wastewater operations and maintenance; health and safety procedures/WHMIS.
• Good knowledge of the relevant regulatory and legislative acts, codes, policies, guidelines and procedures related to water and wastewater operations and maintenance, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and health and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics and chemistry to make calculations for chemical and operating processes.
• Ability to interpret maintenance manuals, blueprints and other technical specifications; use and storage of industrial chemicals.
• Familiarity with computers, including monitoring and operating systems.
• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems would be an asset.

Skills and Ability include

• Analytical, problem-solving, planning and scheduling skills required to effectively inspect, operate and monitor the facilities processes and equipment.
• Ability to perform routine preventive maintenance; take samples, interpret results and make process control adjustments to resolve operating issues.
• Good oral and written communication skills to liaise with a variety of people including coworkers, clients, suppliers, while keeping accurate logs and writing reports.
• Ability to work in a team environment and take initiative.
• Ability to perform manual labour.

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.
• 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.

OCWA's Operator Career Path Program:

The Operator Career Path Program provides learning, continuing education, career development and certification advancement opportunities. As you develop and obtain higher level licenses, you will progress through the Operator Career Path with increased operational responsibilities as well as training and mentoring opportunities. When you successfully obtain a higher certification/license, you will be eligible for additional base or premium pay in accordance with the schedule below.

• $24.88 to $26.41 per hour (OIT)
• $27.92 to $31.06 per hour (Level 1 Operator)
• $29.49 to $32.83 per hour (Level 2 Operator)
• $30.67 to $38.04 per hour (Level 3 or 4 Operator)

*OCWA provides additional pay for water and wastewater certification/license

OPS/OCWA's commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promoting 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 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 application instructions 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.

Additional information:

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Language requirements and assessment:

All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Information collection notice

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Please do not include any more personal information than is needed for your application (for example, do not include your photograph or social insurance number).

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