Work in operations at EPCOR

Career step: Entry level.

Education: Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate or equivalent (required); valid Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate level 1-4 (required).

Select your regional resource for more information about getting certified as a Water and Wastewater Operator:

• Alberta: Alis Alberta
• British Columbia: WorkBC
• Ontario: Ontario.ca | Drinking Water Operator

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; record keeping; troubleshooting; problem solving; mechanical aptitude; control systems and software.

Lifestyle factors: 4-day work week; shift work (12-hour shifts); work indoors and outdoors; driving required. This role is physically demanding. 

About the role:

Water Operators keep our water treatment plants operating safely and efficiently. They take care of plant operations by operating equipment and chemical feed systems, completing water quality tests, and maintaining documentation. This work is critical to ensuring we meet or exceed environmental and local health regulations.

In addition to ongoing operations, Water Operators are also responsible for troubleshooting issues. This requires in-depth knowledge about water treatment plant operations and excellent mechanical aptitude to identify and resolve issues and proactively coordinate maintenance and repairs. 

In the event of an operational emergency, Water Operators support the response, following the lead of Lead Operators and Operator Foremen to maintain the safety and reliability of the water supply.  

Career step: Mid-level. 

Education: Water Treatment Plant Operator – Advanced Certificate (required).

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; water operations and maintenance; advanced troubleshooting; advanced problem solving; mechanical aptitude; communication; collaboration; developing leadership.

Lifestyle factors: 4-day work week; shift work (12-hour shifts); work indoors and outdoors; driving required. This role is physically demanding.

About the role:

Lead Operators oversee the daily operations of EPCOR’s water treatment plants. They are experienced Water Operators who support their team and manage plant performance for smooth, continuous operations. The leadership experience gained in a Lead Operator role helps to prepare people for career progression into the Operator Foreman position.

In addition to fulfilling the scope of a Water Operator, Lead Operators provide supervision and leadership. They oversee and delegate work to other water operators, providing guidance and support while making sure work is done safely. They also provide advanced troubleshooting support for complex issues and offer insights into how processes can be improved.

In the event of an operational emergency, Lead Operators help to lead the emergency response, working with Operator Foremen and providing direction to Water Operators to resolve issues quickly and maintain the safety and reliability of the water supply.

Career step: Senior level.

Education: Water Treatment Plant Operator - Advanced Certificate.

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; leadership; advanced water operations and maintenance; communication; collaboration; advanced troubleshooting; advanced problem solving. 

Lifestyle factors: 4-day work week; shift work (12-hour shifts); work indoors and outdoors; driving required. This role is physically demanding. 

About the role: 

Operator Foremen are responsible for the daily operations of our Water Treatment Plants, keeping processes running efficiently and safely while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. They also provide leadership and supervision to the operations team, including delivering training, verifying Water Operator competency, and supporting career development.

In the event of an operational emergency, Operator Foremen lead the emergency response. They engage the Lead Operators and provide direction to resolve issues quickly and maintain the safety and reliability of the water supply.

Career step: Entry level.

Education: Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate (required); valid Water Distribution Certificate (required); Advanced Water Distribution Certificate (an asset). 

Select your regional resource for more information about getting certified as a Water and Wastewater Operator:

• Alberta: Alis Alberta
• British Columbia: WorkBC
• Ontario: Ontario.ca | Drinking Water Operator

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; experience in water or wastewater operations; mechanical aptitude; communication; troubleshooting; problem solving; plant control systems and software.

Lifestyle factors: 4-day work week; shift work (10-hour shifts); working outdoors; driving required. This role is physically demanding.

About the role:

Water Distribution Operators are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system, ensuring a continuous supply of water to residential, commercial, and industrial users. 

They complete system maintenance like repairing and maintaining water mains, fire hydrants and valves, and perform meter exchanges and minor repairs to water meters. Additional responsibilities include flushing hydrants for water quality control, inspecting and operating valves, and maintaining activity logs and documentation related to the water distribution system.

Career step: Entry level. 

Education: Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate (required); valid Wastewater Operator Certificate (required). 

Select your regional resource for more information about getting certified as a Water and Wastewater Operator:

• Alberta: Alis Alberta
• British Columbia: WorkBC
• Ontario: Ontario.ca | Wastewater Operator

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; communication; troubleshooting; problem solving; control systems and software. 

Lifestyle factors: 5-day work week; shift work (8-hour shifts); working outdoors; driving required. This role is physically demanding.

About the role:

Wastewater Operators are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of wastewater treatment plants, making sure wastewater is treated to meet regulatory standards before being released back into the environment. 

They manage plant operations, including monitoring and controlling treatment processes and adjusting chemical feed rates. They also collect and test water samples to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment processes and keep accurate records of wastewater treatment plant operations. 

To keep wastewater treatment operations running smoothly, Wastewater Operators complete maintenance and repairs on equipment such as pumps, valves, and control panels. When operational emergencies happen, they respond to quickly resolve the issue, making sure we continue to meet environmental regulations. 

Career step: Entry level. 

Education: High school diploma or equivalent. 

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; basic mechanical skills; ability to perform physical labour; ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Lifestyle factors: 5-day work week; standard business hours; no weekend work; driving required; physically demanding role. This role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions.

About the role:

Labourers are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of water and wastewater systems. They perform manual tasks like digging trenches, laying pipes, and repairing leaks. Operating basic equipment and tools is a necessary part of the role, as is driving. A valid driver’s license is required. 

This is a physically demanding position that requires being in good physical condition and a willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions. 

Career step: Entry level. 

Education: High school diploma (required). 

Top skills: Adherence to safety protocols; basic mechanical; basic troubleshooting; ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Lifestyle factors: 5-day work week; standard business hours; no weekend work; driving required; active role. This role requires working outdoors in all weather conditions.

About the role:

Maintenance Workers complete routine maintenance and minor repairs on water and wastewater equipment. This includes assisting with inspecting and servicing pumps, valves, and other mechanical components. To support the ongoing delivery of effective maintenance, they also keep up to date, accurate records of all completed maintenance. 

To meet the physical demands of the role, Maintenance Workers must be in good physical condition and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions. They must also hold a valid driver’s license as this role requires the ability to drive.