Manager, Water Operations and Maintenance

undefined
## The Role

Manages the operation and maintenance of over 250 water production, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and its Regulations. Acts as the overall responsible operator (ORO) for the Region’s water system per legislation.

Duties/Responsibilities

- Supervises Supervisors of Operations & Maintenance, Supervisors of Systems, and Supervisors of Process & Compliance. Indirectly supervises additional unionized and non-unionized staff. Administers contracts with contractors and consultants.

- Acts as ORO to provide 24/7 response and support to on-call supervisors. Coordinates resources to ensure regulatory requirements are met.

- Develops and implements operational and administrative policies and procedures for the maintenance and operation of water production, treatment, storage, pumping facilities, distribution, watermains and SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). Manages the development and implementation of maintenance management procedures and use of the computerized maintenance management system.

- Manages to ensure compliance with legislation and Municipal Drinking Water License and Drinking Water Works Permit. Implements regulations from the Safe Drinking Water/Clean Water Act and associated regulations.

- Plans and negotiates shared responsibility for watermain operation and maintenance with area municipalities, and resolves water supply and water quality issues with same and the public.

- Manages Townships of North Dumfries and Wellesley distribution systems, operation and maintenance, including the backflow prevention program. Works with Finance to resolve billing issues. Manages enforcement of related by-laws.

- Provides input into capital project planning, asset management design, and maintenance and decision systems related to water supply and transmission for capital program implementation. Participates on project teams with Design& Construction for implementation. Liaises with engineering staff regarding facility repair, replacement, and upgrading.

- Provides technical advice/expertise to divisional staff/management in water supply development, and maintenance programs. Provides water operations information, and coordinates project activities with other departments. Works with corporate communicates staff on communications/ marketing strategies related to water operations.

- Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of technical studies, policies, and programs.

- Manages the Drinking Water Quality Management System (DWQMS). Manages to ensure processes and procedures are in place including training, auditing, work coverage, and related maintenance programs to ensure compliance with legislation and conformance. Manages water sampling and testing (physical, chemical, biological, radiological condition) as legislated.

- Manages response to adverse events.

- Manages staff certification, training and development, per legislation.

- Manages Ministry inspections.

- Manages programs for the Section (e.g., safety management, asset management, health and safety, designated substance, controlled energy, confined space).

- Manages emergency contingency plans (e.g., power/systems failures, watermain breaks, chemical spills/leaks, equipment breakdowns).

- Develops protocols, reviews and approves recommendations from staff regarding investigation and resolution of water quality complaints. Manages resolution of customer complaints and inquiries.

- Participates in union/management meetings, collective agreement negotiations, working groups/committees, and associations in the water industry.

- Prepares/participates in annual water supply performance indicator reports and benchmarking.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

- Provides reports to the Director (e.g., water usage, water quality, trends) for planning purposes; and Council for regulatory and operational/budgetary purposes. Reviews, approves, and releases public media notices. Publishes annual water quality reports, per legislation.

- Prepares and administers the operations and capital budgets, and financial plan per legislation. Has signing authority. Manages tank space leasing and distribution billing.

- Manages security and maintenance of water supply and infrastructure (e.g., UV disinfection units, automation control infrastructure). Manages safe use and security of vehicles, materials, and equipment (e.g., chemical delivery truck, tools, instrumentation equipment). Manages maintenance and use of the computerized maintenance management system.

- Discusses water quality issues with other divisional and Public Health staff. Works with Legal Services on issues related to legal agreements. Resolves issues related to billing, property damage, and procurement with Finance.

- Discusses technical issues and resolves public complaints with area municipalities. Administers contracts with consultants, suppliers, and contractors. Exchanges information with Ministries and conservation authority.

- Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Knowledge of water treatment, operations, maintenance management, water distribution systems, and water quality standards, processes, and procedures, normally acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., science, civil engineering), plus progressively responsible related experience in a municipal engineering/project management environment.

- Must have or be eligible for Ministry of the Environment Class IV Water Treatment and Class IV Water Distribution water operation certificates.

- Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, by-laws, and legislation (e.g., drinking water protection, health and safety, building and electrical codes, environmental protection).

- Analytical problem solving and continuous improvement skills to plan and develop objectives and goals, including administrative, technical, operational, and financial components; ensure operations meet legislated requirements; analyze operations performance/data, policy, and procedures to evaluate data, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.

- Leadership, negotiation, and human relations skills to manage, train, develop, motivate, and support staff; present issues and reports to Council and Committees; participate on committees; respond to inquiries and resolve escalated complaints from the public; exchange information with Ministries, conservation authority, and area municipalities; and participate as an effective team member.

- Ability to read and interpret technical and administrative reports, policy and procedure manuals, letters, and memorandums. Ability to write technical and administrative reports to Council and Committees, abstracts, publications, newsletters, presentations, media releases, and correspondences to other departments, external organizations, and developers.

- Computer skills using software such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems (SCADA), a computerized maintenance management system, and Microsoft Office.

- Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.

- Ability to adjust schedule to work evening and weekend hours to respond to emergencies, and attend open houses and public meetings as needed.

- Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

- First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;

- members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;

- persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;

- persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [email protected] , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).