Job Description

This position supervises the City-operated municipal Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection systems. The position ensures QMS and regulatory compliance is met, monitors and supervises daily operations, and maintenance and tracks operational and capital budgets and related expenses. This position fulfills the legislated position of Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) as defined under the Safe Drinking Water Act, directing operators and operating decisions for assigned facilities and systems.

Job Title Supervisor / Overall Responsible Operator - Water Distribution & Wastewater Collection

Salary $117,741 - $137,748 plus competitive benefits (2026)

Reports To Manager, Water and Wastewater

Department Public Works

Location City of Kawartha Lakes

Hours Normal Working Hours 37.5 hours per week

• Supervise the day-to-day operations and ensure regulatory compliance for municipal water or wastewater treatment facilities (including water towers, standpipes, reservoirs, sewage pumping stations and standpipes) and water distribution and wastewater collections systems
• Adhere to the legislative requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act as defined in the role of Overall Responsible Operator for the daily operations of all City-operated Water Treatment Plants, and/or Water Pollution Control Plants, and/or Water Distribution Systems and Wastewater Collection Systems
• Schedule, track and record routine preventative maintenance and repairs of all equipment in accordance with applicable QMS, manufacturer specified maintenance requirements, Operations and Maintenance Manuals, SOP’s, standards and legislation
• Oversee and administer staff and contractual works relating to the operation and maintenance of the systems
• Provide mentoring to staff and technical advice and comment on projects involving water or wastewater infrastructure works
• Participate in studies or projects related to divisional/departmental operations
• Liaise with tact and diplomacy and represent the City’s interest with various provincial and federal regulatory and non-regulatory organizations such as Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Trent Severn Waterway, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Conservation Authorities, Stewardship Ontario, other municipalities, public stakeholder groups, development community and Advisory Committees of Council, etc.
• Liaise with and advise other municipal departments and represent the division at municipal activities including, inter-departmental meetings, public meetings and Council
• Develop operating budgets for divisional works and programs and implementation of appropriate measures, monitor and track, to ensure budgetary control
• Promote and manage a safety-first working environment and ensure that all OH&S requirements are adhered to
• Prepare staff reports to Council and make presentations at Council meetings
• Coordinate and contribute to development of internal policies and procedures for water and/or wastewater operations to reduce and mitigate exposure to legal liability for the City; liaise with legal counsel on behalf of the City and ensure enforcement
• Assist in managing contractors and consultants to ensure delivery of required services on schedule and within budget
• Review and comment on regulatory, technical and operational reports prepared by consultants
• Responsible for adherence to all QMS (Quality Management Systems) for water treatment, wastewater treatment and water distribution and wastewater collection
• Provide assistance and direction on water and wastewater issues and be available on an on-call basis as the Overall Responsible Operator for the system(s) assigned.
• Responsible for participating in the hiring, discipline, dismissal, performance management and training of staff, in consultation with senior staff and Human Resources
• Administer the terms of the applicable Collective Agreements, in collaboration with Human Resources
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills/Education Required

• Post-secondary diploma in Engineering or Environmental Studies or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of related progressive supervisory experience, preferably in a municipal environment.
• Minimum 5 years of experience as an Operator at the certification level identified below, preferably in a municipal environment
• Possess and maintain valid certifications, depending on area of specialty, as follows:
  • Water Treatment – Class IV Water Treatment and Class I Water Distribution
  • Water Distribution and Wastewater Collections – Class III Water Distribution and Supply and Class III Wastewater Collection
  • Wastewater Treatment - Class III Wastewater Treatment and Class I Wastewater Collection
• Knowledge and familiarity with operator certification and ability to knowledgeably supervise operators for water and/or wastewater facilities and associated distribution and wastewater collection systems
• Familiarity with applicable legislation including but not limited to Safe Drinking Water Act, Ontario Water Resources Act, Clean Water Act, Environmental Protection Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and all related regulations codes and standards that pertains to water and wastewater operations
• Strong leadership and critical thinking skills, able to motivate staff, improve divisional sustainability and efficiency
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, with demonstrated time management skills and the ability to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated customer-service skills at a level to develop and to maintain cooperative/collaborative working relationships both within and outside the organization
• Strong interpersonal skills, tactful and diplomatic with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate initiative consistently with commitment to quality improvement, sharing process improvement initiatives with management
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, the internet and other related software
• Possess and maintain a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s Licence
• Upon a conditional offer of employment, a Criminal Record Check will be required

Applicants must be prepared for skill testing.