Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Highlands Ranch Water is looking for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator !

This position performs a variety of tasks, skilled and semi-skilled necessary to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the wastewater treatment facility. The Operator monitors the performance of all equipment associated with the treatment process by conducting routine visual inspections, interpreting instrument readings, and performing and interpreting lab results.

Applicants must have a strong understanding of chemistry, biology, hydraulics, mechanical, and electronic concepts as they relate to water and wastewater treatment. This is a 12.25 hour per shift position requiring a monthly rotation between day and night shifts. Pay is dependent on experience, qualifications, and licenses (see below pay structure).

If you are hardworking, positive, prompt, and responsible, able to effectively work independently or with a team, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Starts and stops pumps, engines, generators, and operates valves to control and adjust flow and processes either manually or by remote control.
• Monitors systems and follow guidelines for adjustments to ensure effective operations.
• Conducts sampling at various stages of the treatment process and performs routine laboratory analyses.
• Responds to alarms, identifies and corrects mechanical and process problems.
• Verbally and in writing, reports on process and equipment status to other operators and supervisors on a regular basis.
• Performs work in accordance with safety policies and procedures.
• Prepare work orders and other written requests for maintenance.
• Reviews operational logs, field testing information, and laboratory data.
• Perform preventative maintenance including minor repairs.
• Handles hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals during delivery, storage, and use.
• Performs general housekeeping and custodial duties.
• Loads, unloads, and transports equipment and personnel in District vehicles to a variety of work sites.
• Maintains assigned tools and equipment.
• Assist other sections as needed to complete the goals of the organization.
• Perform other duties and special assignments which may be outside the primary areas of employment.

Supervision Received

The employee works under direct supervision of Plant Operations Supervisor and under general supervision of Water/Wastewater Superintendent.

Supervision Exercised

May supervise temporary staff or other staff as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Must possess and maintain a Colorado Driver's License with an acceptable motor vehicle record.
• Required to obtain Colorado Wastewater Operator Class D Certification within 6 months of hire date.

Required Qualifications by License Level

NT-28: Plant Operator D (pay is up to $38/hr)

• Colorado Class D operator certification or the ability to pass the D level exam in 6 months and must have demonstrated competency in either water/wastewater facility operation.

NT-29: Plant Operator C (pay is up to $40/hr)

• Colorado Class C operator certification and at least 12 months treatment experience and must have demonstrated competency in either water/wastewater facility operation.

NT-30: Plant Operator B (pay is up to $42/hr)

• Colorado Class B operator certification and at least 18 months treatment experience and must have demonstrated competency in either water/wastewater facility operation.

NT-31: Plant Operator A (pay is up to $45/hr)

• Colorado Class A operator certification and at least two years treatment experience and must have demonstrated competency in either water/wastewater facility operation.

NT-33: Plant Operator Double A (pay is up to $47/hr)

• Colorado Class A operator certification in both wastewater and water treatment and at least 4 years operations experience. May be assigned further supervisory roles.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of chemistry, biology, hydraulics, mechanical, and electronic concepts as they relate to water/wastewater treatment.
• Give and take directions and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of State and Federal Regulatory requirements relating to water and wastewater facilities and programs.
• Perform accurate mathematical calculations as part of process control.
• Work with minimal supervision and exercise independent judgment.
• Follow through on tasks and adapt to changing priorities, process conditions, and circumstances.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other departments, officials and the public and work with people from diverse backgrounds and points of view as part of a team.
• Represent the district professionally with integrity and excellence. Encourage a respectful, collaborative, and accountable work environment while demonstrating ethical conduct in all interactions.

Career Progression

To progress from one Plant Operator level to the next, the minimum job requirements must be met. When a Plant Operator is hired into a position, they have one year to obtain the required certifications. If the requirements are not met at the time of performance reviews, then any pay increase may be limited to a market increase only.

Tools and Equipment Used

Industrial machinery and equipment; pumps, motors, blowers, and power supplies. Computer controls that are inherent to a SCADA system. Instrumentation; charts, meters, and gauges. Laboratory and sampling equipment; test kits, meters. Motor vehicles. Gas detection monitors, fall arresters, and other safety equipment. Computer software and hardware. M.S.D.S. and safe chemical handle procedures. Cell phone, radio, telephone, personal protective equipment and SCADA system. General office and breakroom equipment.

Work Schedule

This is 80 hours per bi-weekly pay period full-time position (some weeks more than 40, some weeks less than 40), generally working 12-hour rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays. During emergency events, an operator may be required to assist outside of their normal schedule. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the job.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may also be required to use their hands to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, and controls.

The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an industrial facility. Hazards encountered in the operations include possible exposure to toxic, corrosive, caustic, or flammable chemicals. Work may also involve exposure to hazardous fumes, contaminants, and waterborne diseases found in the samples collected.

Regularly the employee works in areas that may involve exposure to traffic, inclement weather conditions, confined spaces, moving mechanical parts, electrical panels, wet or humid conditions, high precarious places, fumes, infectious materials, airborne particles, toxic, corrosive, or caustic chemicals.

Work may require contact, sampling, and handling of untreated water/wastewater.

Selection Guidelines

Formal application or resume, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check, background check and job-related tests might be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific states of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the District's and requirements of the job change.

Our Benefits

We prioritize your well-being and recognize the importance of a work/life balance by offering outstanding benefits:

Health & Retirement!

• 100% paid employee-only medical insurance premiums
• 100% paid employee-only dental & vision insurance premiums
• 100% paid life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance premiums
• 100% contribution match for the pension plan
• Up to 6% employer contribution for the optional retirement plan

Work/life Balance!

• 80 hours of earned vacation per year, increasing after 5 years
• 80 hours of annual sick leave
• 32 hours of annual personal leave
• 10 paid 8-hour holidays

Wellness & Improvement!

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support, guidance, and resources for employees and their families.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for additional medical expenses.
• Up to $2,000 a year for education reimbursement.
• Highlands Ranch Community Association recreation center pass for a discounted fee.

Saving, Planning & Other!

• Optional 457 deferred compensation plan to help employees plan for their retirement.
• Generous stipend for personal cell phone.
• Discounts for employees on over 1,000 products and services.

Application Information

Pre-employment screening includes background and motor vehicle record checks as well as illegal substances screening.

We will be accepting applications for at least one month or until the position is filled.

Submit applications at highlandsranch.org/apply or if viewing this posting from our career center, click "Apply" below.