Water & Wastewater Operator

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Grand Bend; On-site; CAD 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension plan

Health plan

Life and disability insurance

On-call pay and overtime

Job summary

Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) seeks an operator to operate and maintain water and wastewater facilities in the Region, monitoring processes, performing maintenance and responding to on-call duties. You will work with a team to ensure reliable services to communities.

Mandatory licenses include Class 1 Water/Wastewater certifications; valid driver license required. OCWA offers certification pay, on-call, overtime, and a comprehensive benefits package including a defined benefit pension plan.

Qualifications

• Must hold Class 1 Wastewater Treatment, Class 1 Water Treatment, and Class 1 Water Distribution certifications.
• Willingness to work overtime and be on-call in rotation.
• Valid Class G driver's license.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain regional water and wastewater facilities.
• Respond to on-call duties and overtime as required.
• Perform preventive maintenance and basic repairs.
• Monitor monitoring and operating systems and interpret readings.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Class 1 Wastewater Certification

Class 1 Water Certification

Tools

SCADA systems

CMMS

Basic electrical tools

Job description

Apply By: Friday, October 23, 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 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.