New Grads & Students

Summer Students

We hire students for summer positions every year in different areas such as water and wastewater, compliance, administration, asset management, human resources, finance, communications and more.  We hire regular summer students and we also hire through our “Summer Experience Program." To learn more about Ontario Public Service (OPS) and OCWA summer student opportunities, visit the OPS careers website.

Co-operative Education

We provide co-op students with paid practical work experience in the water and wastewater industry.  Many of our co-op students end up becoming full-time employees who grow their careers at OCWA.

Co-op placements are posted at various educational institutions across Ontario. Check for co-op job postings with your school’s career centre and respective co-op office.

Loyalist College - Environmental Technician

Northern College - Environmental Technician Program

Scholarships

OCWA is excited to announce that the $2,500 scholarship for an Indigenous student in an Environmental Program is now available! The Ontario Clean Water Agency actively supports educational initiatives and mentoring through various programs and awards with Ontario colleges and universities. We help connect students to co-ops, job placements, and internships. 

This scholarship is a financial award that also provides career-building through a co-op work term.

We are looking for proactive, high achievers with demonstrated interest in an environmental field-with emphasis on water and wastewater treatment.  Demonstrated interest can include previous experience in an environmental setting and/or a statement of strong interest in the environment and water/wastewater fields.

 Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be Indigenous descent (First Nation, Inuit or Métis). Proof of ancestry may include a status card or Metis card or a letter from an elder, community member or official.
- Applicants must be in an Environmental Sciences or Environmental
Engineering co-op program from an approved Ontario university or college during 2020.
- Academic excellence.
- Demonstrated social responsibility.
The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2020. Please feel free to pass this information along to those that may be interested in applying.
To apply for this scholarship, click here. 

Book a Facility Tour

If you're interested in booking a tour of an OCWA water or wastewater facility, please contact the Communications Department at ocwa@ocwa.com. A representative will be able to provide you with contact information for the facility you are looking to tour.

Please note: OCWA cannot guarantee that all facilities can accommodate group requests. However, many of them are happy to provide tours to schools and community groups. These are decided on a case-by-case basis.

For environmental youth resources, please visit the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

How to Become a Water and Wastewater Operator

To get hired as an Operator (or Trainee), you need to obtain your Operator in Training (OIT) certificate.  Read the Guide on how to obtain your Operator in Training Certificate (367KB).

There a few minimum requirements before you can obtain your OIT certificate:

  • High school diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
  • Pass Operator-in-Training (OIT) examination
  • For Drinking Water OITs: Drinking Water Operators Entry Level Course (if course is not completed, a temporary 16-month OIT certificate will be issued)

The OIT certificate is the first step to your career pathway into the water and wastewater industry.  For more information about OIT Certificate Exam Schedules, forms and guidance documents please visit the OWWCO website or the MOECC website.

Once you obtain your OIT certification, you are able to progress to higher certificate levels 1 through 4. This involves:

  • relevant work experience
  • further education
  • successful completion of the MOECC certification exam for each level

Learn more about the different certificate levels and upgrading certificates.