Operations Supervisor, Water and Wastewater

The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) believes in Our Communities, Our Environment and Our People. As a trusted partner to municipalities, First Nations communities, businesses, governments and institutions across Ontario, we provide our clients with total solutions in water and wastewater. We are dedicated to working closely with our clients to help them build healthy sustainable communities and organizations and provide safe and reliable drinking water to thousands of Ontarians each day.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote 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 OPS commitment 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 "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Join our team as a water/wastewater professional with OCWA!
In this role, you will lead and administer the provision of competitive and safe water and wastewater treatment services of a large cluster of plants within the Georgian Highlands Region. You will provide guidance to operations and maintenance staff, oversee and support the operation, maintenance and management of a group of facilities within the cluster, ensuring compliance with legislative requirement, OCWA Policy and Procedure and contractual obligations, client service principles and contractual obligations. The incumbent will also act as Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) or Operator in Charge (OIC).

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• A valid Class 1 water, wastewater, distribution and collection certificate with a willingness and ability to obtain certification at the highest level of the facilities; at least a minimum Class 1 Certification specific to the facility and in accordance with O. Reg. 128/04 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and/or O. Reg. 129/04 of the Ontario Water Resources Act.
  
• Must be able to oversee construction projects for development or major repairs of facilities and plants.
  
• Valid Class G driver's license and required to travel within the Region.
  
• Be available for overtime and ability to be on-call after regular working hours as part of a rotation, with the ability to respond to on-call within a reasonable period.
  
• Act as the Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) or Operator in Charge (OIC).
  
• Must be able to schedule, coordinate and assign projects; identify opportunities for improving effectiveness and efficiency of facilities and make recommendations and proposals

Knowledge

• Knowledge, experience and training of water and wastewater treatment processes in order to operate the facilities, including current knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, Acts related to water/wastewater operations, health and safety.
  
• A strong understanding of complex mechanical equipment and electronic controls used in industrial processes in order to optimize asset management programs and develop written procedures for asset care and protection.
  
• Good knowledge of various codes, standards and policies related to administration, finance and knowledge of procurement policies and directives.
  
• An understanding of inventory and records management techniques to fulfill contractual obligations.
  
• Working knowledge of asset management principles, methodologies, and technologies in water and wastewater applications.
  
• Demonstrated experience with supervising staff to train, direct and assign work activities.
  
• Ensure optimization of resources, staffing and financial, to effectively maintain the continuity of operations and maintenance services programs, as well assessing potential environmental impacts or health and safety concerns.
  
• Actively participate OCWA's health and safety policies and philosophies, ensuring the safety and well-being of your coworkers.
  
• Ability to address regulatory issues that require action, and assess and respond to operational problems and emergencies; assess and determine the completion of work on construction projects and approve contractor invoices, respond to requests for information and/or complaints.

SKILLS

• Good verbal and written communication skills to provide technical information, presentations and on-the-job assistance to other staff.
  
• Ability to take managers direction to implement, monitor, assess and improve to meet goals and objectives including team leadership and coordinating skills to motivate staff to meet goals and objectives.
  
• Excellent project management skills and abilities, work planning and scheduling skills to optimize the staff time based on operational needs and to ensure effective coordination of plant operations.
  
• Analytical and evaluating skills to assess costs, technical needs, and options to solve problems in order to resolve problems and to develop recommendations.
  
• Influencing and advisory skills to make effective and persuasive recommendations to management on the improvement to the effectiveness and efficiency of facilities.

Interpersonal and communication skills:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with operations staff, clients, various levels of government, prepare reports and recommendations to management, and address and resolve issues and complaints from external sources.

Other Essential Skills:

• Good planning, financial and analytical skills to manage and plan multiple projects & assess project priorities.
  
• Ability to optimize and implement changes to processes to improve facilities operations.
  
• Ability to complete documentation that ensures adherence to the applicable acts and regulations.
  
• Requires strong proficiency in the office and operational computerized systems

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.
  
• You will be eligible for additional pay for certification, should you be successful in completing and maintaining facility water/wastewater operator's licenses.
  
• Work with the partner of choice for more communities than any other water and wastewater service organization in Ontario for over 25 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.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

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 position with 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.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 6, 2023 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.