Water & Wastewater Operator Recruitment - Public Works Department

This page provides information about the education and training required to be an operator and the recruitment process.

Operators take part in the maintenance and monitoring of:
- watermains and major sewers
- pumping stations
- production wells
- water storage facilities
- purification and treatment plants
Operators enjoy a rewarding career as they provide and deliver essential services through the delivery and distribution of one of our most precious resources - water.
Operators provide services that include the supply of drinking water to the Region's 4 communities and the collection and treatment of wastewater.
Operators provide an essential service that is required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and therefore will be required to work shifts in the Region's water plants and perform Standby Duty on a rotational basis.

An Operator in Training (OIT) certificate is the first certification level required as an Operator. The OIT allows a new operator to gain the 1 year of operational experience required to become a Level 1 operator.
The minimum requirements to apply for an OIT certificate are:
- High school diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- Pass the OIT examination
Progression from 1 certification level to the next from OIT to Levels 1 through 4 involves accumulating:
- relevant work experience
- further education
- successful completion of the MOE certification exam for each level.
Certification requirements are legislated by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE), under the Certification of Drinking-Water System Operators & Water Quality Analysts Regulation (O. Reg. 128/04) and the Licensing of Sewage Works Operators Regulation (O. Reg. 129/04).
The governing body who oversees certification and licensing is the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO).
For more information please visit the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office .

You will be required to complete and submit the OIT exam registration form .
In addition to this form you will be required to provide the following prior to the deadlines listed on the OETC website:
- proof of high school diploma (or equivalent)
- the exam fee
View Deadlines and exam dates .
View study material and other information regarding the OIT exam .

The minimum requirements to pursue a career as an operator are:
- High school diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- Pass the OIT examination
The certification levels of operators as per legislation set by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) are summarized as follows:

This chart is courtesy of the MOE “How to become an Operator” publication.

Graduates from certain college programs are considered to have met the requirements of the MOE's Entry Level Course (ELC) for Drinking Water Operators.
Completion of an Environmental Technician Program provides a well-rounded knowledge base from which to pursue certification with the MOE as per Operator levels.
Get more information regarding certification and training .

Minimum requirement of applicants to be considered for an operator position is a valid Operator-in-Training (OIT) license.
Qualified OIT applicants will be required to participate in an internal hiring process which includes:
- Online screening
- Panel interview
- Job Sampling /Practical
- Tour of either a Water or Wastewater facility

Halton Region