Students
Co-operative Education
We provide co-op students with paid practical work experience in the water and wastewater industry as well as in our Corporate Office. Many of our co-op students end up becoming full-time employees who grow their careers at OCWA.
Operational co-op roles are posted on our Job Opportunities page, while other 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.
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.
Scholarship Opportunities for Postsecondary Students!
The Ontario Clean Water Agency is excited to announce the launch of our scholarship program! OCWA’s scholarships focus on increasing diversity. This includes three (3) $2,500 scholarships now available for Indigenous Peoples, Women, and our new scholarship for Underrepresented Groups (women, racialized, persons with disability, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous) in Environmental Studies/Science, Environmental Engineering and/or Trades Field with emphasis on water and wastewater treatment and/or mechanical/electrical/Millwright or other applicable skilled trade.
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 no longer accepting scholarship applications for 2023.
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 (MECP).
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 are 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 MECP 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 MECP certification exam for each level
Learn more about the different certificate levels and upgrading certificates.