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.
Operator Description
- 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.
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How do I become a certified operator?
- 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 Ministry of Environment's comprehensive drinking water portal
.
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How do I write the Operator-In-Training exam?
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What education and certification do I need to become a certified operator?
- 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:
Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Certification Levels for Operators
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 .
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Where can I get a diploma in the Environmental Technician program?
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What is the recruitment process for operator positions in the Public Works Department?
- 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
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For more information, access the following links:
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