Water Jobs

Town of Yarmouth
Chief Operator Water Treatment Plant

Position Description
Position Title: Chief Operator Water Treatment Plant
Reports to: Town Engineer
Status: Regular Full-time
Department: Water Treatment Hours of work: 8:00am to 4:30pm Updated: July 2026

SCOPE
Reporting to the Town Engineer, the Chief Operator (CO) is in Overall Direct Responsible Charge (ORDC) of the Town’s Water Treatment Facility and directly related operational infrastructure (reservoirs, PRV stations, etc.). The CO provides operational supervision, and direction for all water treatment related activities.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:
• High School Completion Certificate, or equivalent
• Two years post-secondary education and/or certified in a trade related to water treatment or water technology work.
• Certification as a Class III Treatment Operator for water.
• A minimum of 3 years previous supervisory experience in a similar or related role.
• Valid Class 5 Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides supervision and direction of all operational activities at the treatment facility and related remote infrastructure.
• Responsible for determining, monitoring, and achieving treatment process operating targets to ensure finished water quality complies with the Approval to Operate (ATO) and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Ensures operations are conducted within the design capabilities of the facility and in accordance with accepted engineering practices to maintain treatment process performance and finished water quality.
• Ensures proper day-to-day monitoring and record keeping.
• Ensures sampling and analysis of critical stages of the treatment process, as well as finished water, are conducted for monitoring purposes and to maintain compliance with the Approval to Operate (ATO).
• Supervises the treatment plant laboratory, ensuring analyses are performed in accordance with Standard Methods and that laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies are maintained.
• Conducts operational activities, laboratory analyses, evaluations, troubleshooting, and problem solving for mechanical, electrical, chemical feed, instrumentation, SCADA systems, and related remote water treatment infrastructure.
• Establishes and maintains SCADA alarm setpoints to ensure operators are alerted when treatment process performance or finished water quality deviates from established operating targets.
• Responsible for the operation, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of related remote water treatment infrastructure, including reservoirs, water pumping stations, pressure reducing valve (PRV) stations, instrumentation, and associated SCADA systems.
• Schedules and plans regular maintenance on equipment and infrastructure.
• Maintains an adequate inventory of critical mechanical parts, treatment chemicals, electrical and automation components, laboratory supplies, and other essential operational materials to ensure continuous operation.
• Responsible for procuring operational, chemical, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, automation, and safety equipment required for facility operations and upgrades, including obtaining quotations in accordance with Town purchasing policies, and supervising installation, testing, and commissioning to ensure proper operation.
• Ensures equipment repairs, maintenance activities, and contractor work comply with current engineering standards, manufacturer recommendations, and Town requirements.
• Supervises and directs all treatment plant operators to ensure operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensures all operational activities are conducted in accordance with applicable health and safety legislation, Town policies, and safe work practices.
• Works with the Town Engineer and Human Resources to recruit, interview, evaluate, and recommend the hiring of operational staff as required.
• Communicates regularly with the Town Engineer, provincial regulators, engineering consultants, local contractors, and other Town departments, providing timely operational information as required.

• Prepares and maintains operational reports, plans, protocols, standard operating procedures, emergency response procedures, and safe work practices related to the operation of the water treatment system.
• Advises the Town Engineer on annual operating budget requirements, capital repairs, equipment replacement, asset management, and capital improvement projects as required or directed.
• Immediately notify the Town Engineer of any operational event, process upset, or actual or potential non-compliance that may require regulatory notification or corrective action.

KEY PERFORMANCE COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of water treatment processes, chemistry, and operations in accordance with current engineering standards, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of treatment processes, pumps, motors, valves, instrumentation, metering and control systems, chemical feed systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and related remote water treatment infrastructure.
• A complete understanding of the water treatment facility’s ATO to ensure finished water is within regulatory requirements for quality.
• Strong problem identification and resolution skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and supervise the execution of all required water operational activities to ensure that treatment objectives have been met.
• Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing as necessary and/or directed
• Strong work ethic and supervisory skills that will ensure a positive team environment.

https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/chief-operator-water-treatment-plant.html

Oct 9th, 2026

Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation

Manager, Laboratory & Research

Salary: $123,350–$167,757 annually

Relocation allowance negotiable

Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation is seeking a Manager, Laboratory & Research to set the strategic direction for laboratory and analytical services and lead research that supports water treatment performance, regulatory readiness and continuous improvement.

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, you’ll lead an accredited laboratory, establish research priorities and provide expert advice that informs treatment processes and future water quality decisions. This opportunity brings together scientific expertise, independent judgment and the ability to lead people and build strong professional partnerships.
This is an out-of-scope management position within a unionized workplace.

The Opportunity
You’ll be responsible for the direction and delivery of laboratory services, ensuring the people, resources and workplans are in place to meet current and future needs. The laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and provides chemical, physical and microbiological testing to support regulatory compliance, assess treatment performance and independently verify online instrumentation.
The scope extends from source-water monitoring in Buffalo Pound Lake, Lake Diefenbaker and the Upper Qu’Appelle River to water quality in municipal distribution systems. You’ll connect laboratory findings with operational decisions, direct research that addresses immediate and long-term plant needs, and maintain partnerships with universities and external researchers.
Success requires both technical credibility and effective leadership: someone who can set clear priorities, support and develop employees, and work constructively with colleagues, researchers and regulatory agencies.

What You’ll Lead
• Laboratory strategy and services: Establish strategic direction and workplans, manage resources and budgets, and ensure reliable analytical services that meet the plant’s current and future needs.
• Laboratory independence and quality: Maintain ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and safeguard the laboratory’s impartiality, ensuring its work remains free from inappropriate internal or external influence.
• Water quality reporting: Deliver required reports to the Water Security Agency using results from the plant laboratory and accredited external laboratories.
• Treatment support and improvement: Provide independent confirmation of online instrumentation, evaluate process efficiency, and advise plant operations on chemical selection and dosing that meet water quality objectives while managing costs.
• Research and partnerships: Design and direct research, establish priorities that reflect plant needs, and maintain academic and industry partnerships to advance applied and basic research.

• Regulatory readiness and technical advice: Review existing and proposed guidelines and regulations, advise plant management and regulatory agencies, and help ensure appropriate processes and procedures are in place for future compliance.
• People and performance: Lead employees through clear expectations, constructive feedback and effective communication, building a team committed to quality, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Residuals management: Assist with settling pond operations, including residuals excavation, and oversee the residuals monofil to improve natural drying and processing and extend its service life.
• Quality management: Follow and uphold the Quality Management System procedures applicable to the role.

What You Bring
• A graduate degree in chemistry, applied science or environmental science, or an equivalent combination of applicable education and relevant experience.
• Significant laboratory experience, supported by practical knowledge of water treatment processes.
• Experience managing employees and processes, with the ability to translate priorities into clear workplans and results.
• Budget management experience and sound judgment in allocating resources.
• Training and experience in experimental design and statistics.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build trust, develop employees and address challenges constructively.
• The ability to interpret technical findings, provide clear advice and build productive relationships across operational, academic and regulatory settings.
• A commitment to maintaining technical expertise through research, professional development and participation in relevant industry organizations.
• First Aid and CPR certification.

Why Buffalo Pound?
• Responsibility with meaningful impact. Lead a function whose findings and recommendations directly support drinking water quality, treatment performance and an essential public service.
• A mandate that combines strategy and science. Set the direction for laboratory services while directing research with practical applications and long-term value.
• Professional independence and collaboration. Exercise independent scientific judgment while working closely with plant leadership, universities and external research partners.
• Compensation and relocation support. The annual salary range is $123,350–$167,757, with a negotiable relocation allowance for the successful candidate.

Working at the Plant
This salaried position is based at the plant in rural Saskatchewan. Normal working hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, with flexibility required to support operational needs outside regular hours.
The plant is located outside Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with most employees commuting from Moose Jaw or Regina. Work takes place in office, laboratory and industrial settings and requires

managing deadlines and delivering projects within budget. Daily travel on secondary highways is required, including during inclement weather. The role involves potential exposure to laboratory and industrial hazards, with safe work practices and personal protective equipment required.

To Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter to ashley.paquette@humanadvantage.ca. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.