Water Treatment Operator (Water Treatment Operator D, Water Treatment Operator Cert C, Water Treatment Operator B, Water Treatment Operator A)

• Performs complex analysis of operational conditions and accordingly operates facilities and associated processes, which includes treatment, distribution, and hydroelectric systems under guidance from higher level operators, in accordance with state and federal water quality regulations. 

• Controls and monitors mechanical and chemical water treatment processes and distribution of the treated water throughout the treated water system.  

• Regulates and adjusts raw water sources, preliminary treatment process, chemicals, sedimentation process, filtration process, residuals recovery, chemical feeders, pumps, and valves to control liquid stream and solids treatment processes.  

• Utilizes supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) instrumentation and direct observation to continuously monitor and interpret data transmitted from local and remote equipment locations. Uses data, facility schematics, and operations and maintenance manuals to identify, locate, and resolve treatment issues.  

• Plans for, practices, and responds to emergencies including but not limited to power outages, chemical spills, and equipment failures and provides first response troubleshooting of equipment and process in emergencies.  

• Performs routine laboratory analyses and appropriately adjusts treatment processes based on laboratory results and direct observations.  

• Orders, loads, and unloads treatment chemicals and supplies.  

• Assists maintenance staff in maintenance and operations activities, as needed. This includes maintaining facilities, including cleaning and upkeep of buildings, equipment, and grounds. Maintains a clean and safe work environment, including monitoring work in progress to pinpoint hazards. 

• Performs troubleshooting of treatment process, equipment problems, and prepares equipment for repair work.  

• Controls multi-zoned high-pressure water distribution system using pumps, valves, and hydroelectric generators and operates raw and treated water hydroelectric power stations (nine) with pressures ranging from 100 to 800 PSI.  

• Ensures adequate shift coverage for 24-hour operation, covers shifts as necessary, and calls to find coverage.  

• Ensures that operational information is effectively communicated across shifts and to management team.  

• Maintains logs and records of plant data, including entering and retrieving data on a computer and reviews, updates, and ensures completion of logs by the end of the shift. Analyzes data utilizing trending and statistical tools.  

• Serves on group committees related to safety, emergency response, design review, and treatment optimization studies. May take the lead role on committees and projects and develop appropriate reports and summaries, as requested.  

• Assists with the development of the annual operations work plan.  

• Assists in formulating and updating standard facility and process operating procedures including development and implementation of safety-related procedures and programs.  

• Attends to conditions and events occurring at the water treatment facility indicating anticipated or needed maintenance and repair and performs troubleshooting of plant processes to improve overall treatment quality.  

• Remains alert to security of treatment plants and distribution and hydroelectric facilities.  

• Serves as after-hours contact for Utilities-related problems and citizen concerns and appropriately responds to customers’ concerns and initiates call-out procedure, when necessary.  May provide facility tours.  

• Assists in training, directing, and reviewing the work of other operation staff, including lower-level-certified operators and operator trainees.  

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.  

• Knows and complies with all city and department policies and participates in professional trainings and development. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability and requirement to work in good faith with any and all contractors, consultants, and partners to meet the needs of the utility. 

• Ability and willingness to be a supportive teammate, to be kind and professional in working with others, to recognize the importance of collaboration, to assume positive intent and to willingly partner with and support all Utilities staff to ensure wider departmental success. 

• Ability and willingness to be flexible, creative, and engaged, to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, to identify and suggest creative resolutions to unique problems with a positive attitude and driven to perpetually improve all facets of team and process performance. 

• Ability and willingness to gracefully set boundaries, to model strong customer service by being patient and empathetic and to practice principles and processes for providing customer service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 

• Ability and willingness to strongly align with City’s Vision and Values, to promote a culture of trust and candor, and to foster a collaborative team environment where how we do our work is as important as the work itself, with a special focus on customer service. 

• Ability to be organized, accountable, and strongly self-motivated, to proactively and effectively plan and execute work in a timely fashion with little oversight and to ensure reliable execution of all daily tasks and special assignments. 

• Ability to demonstrate previous operational experience at a water treatment facility. 

• Ability to obtain and maintain Colorado Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification within five (5) years of hire and updates job knowledge, as necessary. 

• Ability to take proper safety precautions to prevent accidents including use of all required safety equipment and following all safety regulations, policies, procedures and reporting requirements.  Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment.   

• Ability to work independently and be the sole operator on duty. 

• Knowledge and familiarity with various software programs including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and plant operational data management system (HachWIMS). 

• Knowledge of drinking water regulatory compliance. 

• Skill and proficiency in MS Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Adobe. 

• Skill in analytical instrument calibration. Ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration. 

• Skill in electrical and mechanical troubleshooting. 

• Skill in written and verbal communication. 

• Valid Driver's License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record. 

• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history. 

Additional Minimum Qualifications for Water Treatment Operator D, C and B 

• Ability and requirement to obtain and maintain Colorado Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification within five (5) years of hire and updates job knowledge, as necessary. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Knowledge of distribution system operations.     

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Water Treatment Operator D   

• High School diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• No experience required. 

• State of Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator D Certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.   

Water Treatment Operator C 

• High school diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• Two (2) year related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• State of Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator C Certification or new hires that have the equivalent certification in another state are required to obtain within six (6) months through reciprocity.   

Water Treatment Operator B  

• High school diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only.  

• Three (3) years related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• State of Colorado Class B Water Treatment Operators Certification or new hires that have the equivalent certification in another state are required to obtain within six (6) months of hire through reciprocity.    

Water Treatment Operator A  

• High school diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• Four (4) years related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• State of Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator A Certification or new hires that have the equivalent certification in another state are required to obtain within six (6) months of hire through reciprocity. 

SUPERVISION 

Supervision Received: Water Treatment Operations Supervisor 

Supervision Exercised:  None 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS      

• Physical and Mental Effort: Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, limited public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Ability to walk, kneel, and climb while performing field inspections and operations and in confined spaces. Ability to work in an industrial setting in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces. Ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher. Has visual acuity. Ability to demonstrate manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices and ability to properly utilize and train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment. 
   

• Work Environment: Works in an industrial setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. Requirement to work variable rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. 
   

• Machines and Equipment Used: City vehicle, laboratory equipment, sampling and monitoring equipment, hand tools, power tools, telephone/paging system, long-handled tools, computers.