Job Description

R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited (Burnside) is seeking an enthusiastic and detail‑oriented student to support our Onsite Wastewater team for a Summer 2026 four‑month work term. This role is based out of our Orangeville office and will primarily support the Municipality of Grey Highlands’ septic/sewage system re‑inspection program.

The Role

We are looking for a student who enjoys fieldwork, problem‑solving, and working independently. The successful candidate will conduct onsite inspections of residential septic systems, collect field data, and support reporting for the re‑inspection program. Full training will be provided.

This position is ideal for students in Environmental Technology, Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or those with field monitoring experience.

Key Responsibilities

Students will work closely with our Onsite Wastewater team and will be involved in:

• Conducting onsite visual inspections of residential septic/sewage systems
• Taking photographs, measurements, and field notes
• Completing standardized inspection forms and supporting documentation
• Communicating with homeowners in a professional and courteous manner
• Assisting with data entry, analysis, and report preparation
• Supporting project staff with additional field or office tasks as required

All required training, safety orientation, and inspection protocols will be provided.

Professional Knowledge & Requirements

We are looking for a student who is organized, reliable, and comfortable working outdoors. The ideal candidate will have:

• Enrollment in an Environmental Technology, Environmental Science, or Civil/Environmental Engineering program
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently in the field
• Comfort using tablets, cameras, and basic measurement tools
• Access to a reliable vehicle and a valid driver’s license is mandatory
• Previous field monitoring or inspection experience is an asset

About the Onsite Wastewater Team

Our team supports municipalities and private clients across Ontario with the assessment, inspection, and management of onsite wastewater systems. We work closely with communities to ensure systems are functioning safely and sustainably, helping protect groundwater, surface water, and public health.

Students gain exposure to real‑world environmental fieldwork, regulatory frameworks, and municipal program delivery.

Hourly Range: $19.00 - $25.00

The final compensation offered will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

Position Type: New Student Position

Why Choose Burnside as a Student?

Student opportunities at Burnside provide you with a taste of what work will be like when you graduate and allow you to decide if you have chosen the right career path.

Each year, Burnside provides employment opportunities for college and university students. Opportunities are available in most of our offices throughout the year, depending on the work term and our project needs.

Many of our students return for more than one work term and join our staff full-time when they graduate.

GAIN RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN YOUR FIELD OF STUDY

You will be integrated with our project teams and encouraged to bring fresh ideas to the table. We will provide you with all the support you need. Our staff are friendly – and we have an inclusive environment where you will feel valued.

At Burnside you will:

• Work alongside professionals in the field
• Apply the theories and approaches you have learned at school
• Hands-on, relevant work experience in your field of study
• A competitive edge against other candidates upon graduation
• Build business contacts in the industry
• Improve time management, organization and communication skills
• Competitive wages
• Potential full-time employment when you graduate
• Extremely high work term satisfaction rates from past students
• Work in the office and in the field
• Smaller firm with the opportunity to work in many different disciplines (in different office locations)

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to valuing diversity in the workplace and we welcome resumes from all qualified candidates. Burnside will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the entire recruitment, assessment, and selection process, as required. If you are a person with a disability and require an accommodation during these processes, please contact our Human Resources department.

Company Profile – More about us:

Founded in 1970, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited is a growing values-driven employee-owned multidiscipline engineering and environmental consulting firm with over 450+ staff. Our consistent commitment towards investing in technology advancements and training, in addition to encouraging and promoting professional development, has enabled our firm to meet our ongoing and stated goal of continual improvement.

We actively seek to develop relationships with a broad and diversified client base in the Public, Private and Indigenous sectors. We work on a variety of projects throughout Canada, with ten office locations in Ontario and one in Manitoba.

Burnside has expertise in many technical disciplines beyond our core civil engineering focus including air and noise, asset management, building sciences, environmental planning and ecology, GIS, hydrogeology, land development, landscape architecture, municipal drainage, solid waste, stormwater management, structures, transportation planning and design, water and wastewater and well drilling & diagnostics.