Jeff Tuerk
Mindemoya,ON
Summary
Experienced Water/Wastewater operator who can draw on decades of real life experience to teach/deliver requested material to First Nations operators / communities.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Operator
Whitefish River First Nation
01.2025 - Current
Manage and operate a slow sand filter water treatment facility with GAC roughing filter,ozone,UV and ESR.
Currently overseeing installation and commissioning of a new ozone generation system.
Presently enrolled in a PLC programming course with Gearge Brown College.
Senior Operator
OCWA
10.2007 - 01.2025
Operation/on call for 16 water/wastewater facilities on Manitoulin Island. Also participated in SWOP program from 2009 thru 2012 mentoring and assisting operators with plant issues and implement real solutions .
Maintained and operated Zenon , US filter membrane , Rapid sand , Ecodyne conventional filtration , pressure filtration, GUDI well water treatment facilities.
Lagoon and extended air wastewter facilities.
Responsible for Wiski 7 data management and Maximo work order maintenance management programs for Little Current water /wastewater and Sheguiandah water treatment facilities.
Thorough understanding of all provincial /federal regulations and responsible for reporting adverse results ,sampling requirements, communicating with clients,delivery of samples to accredited labs and closure of all AWQI's.
Troubleshooting of all plant /facility issues and implementation of unique / cost effective solutions.
Water / Wastewater Operator
Oweson Water Services
02.2005 - 10.2007
Operation and on call for 5 water treatment facilities on Manitoulin Island ( Little Current wtp- Zenon membrane, Kagawong wtp - US filter, Sheguiandah wtp- Rapid sand,
Manitowaning wtp- US filter , Sunsite Estates - US filter.
Lead operator during the construction and commisioning of all the above facilities from no filtration to new membrane operations.
Worked closely with engineer/contractors during the 2 year long transition / building process.
Field Installation Supervisor/ Worker
Kropf Industrial
11.1999 - 02.2005
Responsible for remote installation of high end steel docking systems in Canada/US.
Problem solving , welding , communicating with clients.
Supervision of several crew members.
Fish Farm Manager
Cold Water Fisheries
05.1996 - 09.1999
Design and install an offshore rainbow trout million pound plus fish farm in north channel of lake Huron complete with living quarters,pontoon barge and blower feeding system.
First Nations Fish Farm
Wabano Fish Farms ( Sucker Creek First Nations)
05.1992 - 05.1996
Created / delivered an aquaculture training curriculum to 6 band members followed by the design / fabrication and management of a 1/2 million lb. rainbow trout cage farm .
Education
College Degree - Aquaculture
Sir Sandford Fleming
Lindsay, ON05-1989
Skills
- NAUI scuba diver
- Restricted Radio Certification
- Canadian Power Squadron Certification( Over 40 years boating experience)
- Recently Completed Ice Rescue Certification
Accomplishments
- Member of OCWA Emergency Response Team across Ontario
- Recipient of appreciation for going above and beyond from NEMI township for effectively reducing their electrical energy consumption by 50% ( 1800 to 800 Kwh per day) through operational analysis and SCADA programming changes.
- Design / Fabrication of a submersible aquaculture cage and subsequent creation of New North Fisheries ( 2013 - 2020), a partnership with a First Nations commercial fisherman,, which successfully raised/ sold 60,000 lbs. of Lake Whitefish . The first to do so in North America.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Certification
- Level 3 Water , Level , Level 3 Distribution , WQA
- Level 2 Wastewater , Level 2 Collection
- Confined space entry/ rescue
- Emergency ice rescue
- Canadian Coast guard auxiliary out of Birch Island FN
- First Aid / CPR
Three OCWAmarine awards
- 2008 OCWAmarine Award Quality Service
- 2011 OCWAmarine Award City of North Bay Take Back Quality service
- 2018 OCWAmarine Award for OERT Portable Wastewater Treatment Facility
Interests
- Passionate about practical skill development in self reliance in regards to water , food and energy
- Hands on success in delivering the above through research and unique application of current technology to provide cost effective solutions
- Advocate for clean living , physical fitness and wellness
- Boating the North Channel
- Fishing/ Hunting
Timeline
Lead Operator
Whitefish River First Nation
01.2025 - Current
Senior Operator
OCWA
10.2007 - 01.2025
Water / Wastewater Operator
Oweson Water Services
02.2005 - 10.2007
Field Installation Supervisor/ Worker
Kropf Industrial
11.1999 - 02.2005
Fish Farm Manager
Cold Water Fisheries
05.1996 - 09.1999
First Nations Fish Farm
Wabano Fish Farms ( Sucker Creek First Nations)
05.1992 - 05.1996
- Level 3 Water , Level , Level 3 Distribution , WQA
- Level 2 Wastewater , Level 2 Collection
- Confined space entry/ rescue
- Emergency ice rescue
- Canadian Coast guard auxiliary out of Birch Island FN
- First Aid / CPR
College Degree - Aquaculture
Sir Sandford Fleming