CAREERS

Department:     Water Operations

Position Summary

This position is responsible for learning the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of irrigation water throughout an assigned section of the District’s canal and pipeline network under the guidance of experienced Water Operators. The Water Operator Trainee progressively develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to independently manage water distribution, fulfill customer water orders, operate water control infrastructure, monitor system performance, and respond to operational issues.

During the off-season, the Water Operator Trainee assists with maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and construction activities throughout the District while developing proficiency in the operation of heavy equipment. The incumbent follows a structured training program designed to prepare them for advancement into a fully qualified Water Operator role. The position reports directly to the Operations Manager and is an integral member of the District’s field operations team.

Key Responsibilities

Water Delivery Operations

• Learn to manage daily irrigation water delivery within an assigned operational area under supervision.
• Assist with receiving, coordinating, and fulfilling customer water orders in accordance with operational priorities and water availability.
• Learn to monitor water flows and adjust delivery rates to optimize system efficiency and minimize water losses.
• Operate manual and automated water control structures, including gates, checks, valves, and SCADA- controlled infrastructure, as competency is demonstrated.
• Develop an understanding of system conditions and respond appropriately to changing operational requirements.

System Inspection & Monitoring

• Conduct routine inspections of canals, pipelines, reservoirs, control structures, and related infrastructure.
• Identify operational deficiencies, maintenance requirements, safety hazards, or infrastructure concerns and report them to supervisors.
• Collect water quality samples, field measurements, and operational data.
• Complete daily operational logs, inspection reports, maintenance records, and required documentation.
• Learn to monitor SCADA systems and field instrumentation.

Maintenance & Heavy Equipment Operations

• Assist with maintenance, repairs, vegetation control, and infrastructure rehabilitation throughout the District.
• Learn to safely operate heavy equipment including backhoes, loaders, excavators, dozers, and other equipment required for maintenance and rehabilitation activities.
• Support construction, capital improvement, and emergency repair projects.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and basic preventative maintenance.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles in safe operating condition.

Operational Support & Response

• Respond to operational issues, customer concerns, and emergency situations under the direction of experienced operators.
• Participate in seasonal on-call rotations as competency and training milestones are achieved.
• Assist with stormwater management and emergency water releases when required.
• Support other operational areas during peak workloads or emergency situations.
• Work collaboratively with Water Operators and other District staff to ensure reliable district-wide operations.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Complete hazard assessments and required safety documentation before commencing work.
• Perform all duties in accordance with District safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate a strong safety mindset by asking questions, recognizing personal competency limits, and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Identify hazards and participate in the reporting and investigation of incidents and near misses.
• Successfully complete required training and maintain certifications provided through the District.
• Promote safe work practices and contribute to a positive safety culture.

Qualifications

Must Have

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
• Eligibility and willingness to obtain a Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Brake (Q) Endorsement.
• Mechanical aptitude and a demonstrated willingness to learn.
• Willingness to work extended hours during the irrigation season and participate in an on-call rotation as training progresses.
• Physical ability to perform demanding outdoor work in all weather conditions.

Skills

• Ability to work independently as competency develops while accepting coaching and direction.
• Strong troubleshooting abilities.
• Basic computer skills for operational reporting and recordkeeping.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to learn heavy equipment operation safely and effectively.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize competing operational demands while maintaining service standards.
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to continuously develop new skills.

Assets (Nice to Have)

• Agricultural, irrigation, construction, utility operations, or heavy equipment experience.
• Farm or rural background with practical equipment experience.
• Class 3 Driver’s Licence with Air Brake (Q) Endorsement.
• Water or Wastewater Operator Certification or enrollment in an operator certification program.
• Heavy equipment operator certification.
• Experience using SCADA systems, including VTScada.
• Water quality sampling experience or certification.
• First Aid, H2S Alive, Confined Space Entry, or other industry safety certifications.

Department:    Water Operations

Position Summary

This position is responsible for administering, supporting, and improving the District’s core business systems and technology platforms. The IT Specialist manages the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, work order and asset management system (Element XS), and develops and maintains internal applications using the Base44 low-code platform. The position provides end-user technical support, maintains system integrity, supports data integration between operational systems, and works with external IT vendors to ensure reliable, secure, and efficient technology services across the District.

The IT Specialist plays a key role in supporting day-to-day operations by developing technology solutions that improve business processes and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Business System Administration

• Administer and support the District’s CRM/customer service platform, including system configuration, user management, and workflow administration.
• Administer and support the Element XS work order and asset management system, ensuring data integrity, reporting functionality, and user support.
• Configure and maintain business system settings to support operational requirements.
• Maintain system documentation, asset registers, and configuration records.

Application Development & Integration

• Design, build, and maintain internal applications using the Base44 low-code platform.
• Support integration and data flow between operational systems.
• Work with departments to develop technology solutions that improve business processes and operational efficiency.

IT Support

• Provide first- and second-level technical support for hardware, software, business applications, and connectivity issues.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and provide timely support to end users.
• Support endpoint management, user accounts, permissions, and access control.
• Coordinate with external IT vendors on escalated support requests and technology projects.

System Monitoring & Reporting

• Assist with system monitoring, backups, software updates, and security practices.
• Build reports and dashboards that support operational decision-making.
• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Qualifications

Must Have

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in IT support, systems administration, application development, or a related technical role.
• Experience administering business systems such as CRM, work order management, asset management, ERP, or similar platforms.
• Demonstrated experience building applications using low-code/no-code platforms such as Base44,  Microsoft Power Platform, or similar tools.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

Skills

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong documentation and end-user support skills.
• Ability to translate operational needs into practical technical solutions.
• Data literacy, including experience with SQL, spreadsheets, and reporting/dashboard tools.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while supporting multiple users and systems.

Assets (Nice to Have)

• Experience with Element XS.
• Experience with SCADA systems, including VTScada.
• GIS experience.
• Knowledge of networking and IT infrastructure fundamentals.
• Experience working in irrigation, utility, municipal, or other infrastructure-based operations.