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.
Join the management team at the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) in an exciting opportunity to lead and inspire a dynamic team in the provision of safe, client-oriented, and valuable water management services in the province of Ontario.
About the job
In this role you will:- Work under the general direction of the Regional Hub Manager and within the framework of policies, directives, guidelines and objectives to manage and oversee the daily functioning of the regional office's business and administrative operations, including human resources, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, purchasing/procurement, contract management, renewals and business planning.
- Develop and facilitate the region's approach to business change management, re-engineering and improving business systems and processes. Plan and lead the analysis of business and program goals, best business practices, and quality service commitments to incorporate into business planning requirements, procedures, and processes.
- Provide support services and advice to management on program, policy and administrative matters. Manage corporate linkages and protocol, respond and/or delegate urgent enquiries and concerns to appropriate staff, and follow-up.
- Participate in the implementation and service delivery of programs and projects to be delivered by the region as required.
- Coordinate the administrative and business requirements associated with new clients, contracts, facilities and projects, including system setup, insurance coordination, reporting requirements and internal business-process readiness.
- Lead and manage administrative and business-support teams delivering programs, and services and contribute to financial, business, operational, and strategic planning and evaluation processes.
- Identify financial, material, and human resources needs and manage and control the operational/program/project or budget activities. Contribute to long-term financial and resource planning.
- Promote a values-based and inclusive team through employee engagement, communicating program deliverables, setting and evaluating performance standards, recommending merit increases, identifying staffing needs, making hiring decisions, recommending discipline where required, and promptly addressing employee relations matters.
- Develop and sustain internal and external stakeholder relationships to coordinate shared interests. Responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory, legal, financial, collective agreements and ministry policy commitments and advising senior management of sensitive issues/matters.
What you bring to the team
Mandatory Requirements:
- Valid Ontario Class G Driver's Licence
- Ability and willingness to travel throughout the assigned region and elsewhere in Ontario, including occasional overnight travel.
- Ability to attend OCWA facilities, offices, client locations and meetings throughout the region as required.
Knowledge of:
- Ministry strategic directions, policies, programs and service delivery models, to provide operational management of a program area, service or initiative, to determine and plan for program resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs/projects with corporate, division and branch goals and objectives.
- Human resources practices, policies, directives and collective agreements to handle recruitment and employee issues.
- Financial and administrative procedures, to develop, manage and control allocated financial and material resources, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, asset management and contract service-providers oversight.
- Business planning principles, policies and procedures, best business management practices, ministry decision-making and accountability processes to provide advice and lead the development and implementation of multi-year business/operational plans and business cases for program delivery.
- Region-specific initiatives, policies, procedures, legislation, regulations to manage the delivery of relevant/specific client service programs and services and ensure the delivery of current and accurate information and specialized support.
- Change management and continuous improvement processes to manage and implement changes, find solutions to business issues, and develop strategic plans and operational procedures supporting programs' operations. Corporate business systems, financial reporting tools and business-process management methodologies to support reporting, operational planning, data analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
Analytical Thinking Skills:
- Ability to identify inefficiencies and implement best practices and processes to enhance the overall effective operation of the region.
- Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies and directives to meet specific business needs while ensuring compliance with corporate requirements as well as the continuous improvement and quality service perspectives of the region.
Leadership and Operational Management Skills:
- Manage and lead teams by communicating values, strategies and expectations while promoting an engaged and inclusive work environment.
- Ensure organizational standards and goals are met by contributing to succession planning, establishing performance standards, conducting performance reviews, recommending merit increases, organizing the work unit, and developing individual and team competencies.
- Ability to identify and recommend staffing needs, conduct recruitment and selection activities, manage orientation/training and develop remedial plans.
Planning and Coordinating skills:
- Coordinate and plan program delivery, operation, service or project considering the strategy and mandate of the region.
- Determine financial, material and human resources needs, coordinate operations with other areas of the region, and organize work to meet program objectives. Participate in divisional results and strategic planning.
- Coordinate consultation and advisory meetings relating to program/service initiative with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.
- Manage information flow and corporate requests by coordinating the preparation of responses to issues, information requests and correspondence.
- Manage the implementation of new corporately driven initiatives relating to policies, procedures, systems and processes.
- Plan a range of business planning and program services; prioritize business needs and requirements and resolve issues relating to the region's operations.
- Coordinate and support improvement initiatives related to operational procedures and the implementation and delivery of new ministry programs or projects to be delivered by the region by identifying necessary information and information technology (I&IT) needs.
Independence of Action:
- emerging issues impacting program operations or service goals, outcomes or efficiencies.
- Exercise discretion and independent judgment to determine and manage work activities where past practices may not exist.
- Resolve administrative/operational problems and establish office/administrative practices and procedures on behalf of the region.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
- Ability to discuss and address business/operational plans implementation and program issues, promote understanding of program and business objectives and ensure consistency in application of policies and procedures.
- Ability to provide business planning expertise, exchange information, offer advice and resolve administrative and policy problems.
- Liaise with service providers, vendors and contractors to exchange information, coordinate purchase of goods and services, and discuss contract details and issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare documents, reports, correspondence, business plans, briefing materials, statistical reports, responses to queries and statements addressing business planning issues.
- Ability to represent the region's perspective at meetings, committees and working groups in facilitating the resolution of problems and concerns.
How to Apply
All applications are to be submitted through our recruitment system –
Workday.Click the link below and search for requisition JRXXX. If you are a new user, you will be prompted to create an account and upload your resume and cover letter and submit your application.
Apply NowWhen applying, please ensure the following:
1. OPS employees must include their WIN employee ID number on their application.
2. If applicable, indicate the type of water or wastewater certificate you hold, along with the corresponding license/certification number(s) in the appropriate section of the application.
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:
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
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.
- 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.