Facility Operator - Winter Park

Denver Water • Denver, CO

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Working for Denver Water offers a rewarding and comprehensive employment
experience marked by exceptional benefits and a strong organizational culture.
Employees enjoy a robust 401(k) plan with employer contributions, a secure
pension fund to support long-term financial well-being, and high-quality
benefits that include a generous PTO package as well as medical, dental, and
vision coverage.

Denver Water’s Moffat Collection System, a nearly 100-year-old network of
interconnected dams, tunnels, canals, and pipes, was built to convey water from
the west slope to Denver via the Moffat Tunnel. It stretches across 100 sq.
miles of private and public land in the mountainous Fraser River Valley.

Winters’ snow packed mountains melt out to charge up summers’ fast-moving
streams that are diverted into the collection system. The facility operator is
responsible for recording daily weather and water data, making operational water
changes at 38 different diversions to achieve requested flows, providing
maintenance for the collection system, and working as a team or independently
to benefit Denver Water’s operations in Winter Park. Work is outdoors where
cold, rain, snow, and sunshine are ever part of the work environment.

Spring melt stokes up runoff marking the start of “high water season”. The
facility operator begins a day by recording daily values (weather,
diversion flows and environmental stream flows), communicating with supervisors
to gather information and goals for the day, then ventures out—directing efforts
towards flow requirements and additional fieldwork encountered. “Runoff” is
busy; driving over 100 miles a day is common to ensure safe management of the
water resources. Field checks are made to assure environmental streamflow’s,
security, and diversion flows. Overcoming vegetation, ditch and culverts
blockages is an ongoing expectation.

Snowpack burns off bringing Summer – Fall; a time where various
projects, e.g. brush cutting, concrete patching and painting add to the
workday. These assignments are worked once daily operational duties are
completed. Common assignments include leading youth corps to clear away
vegetation, spraying weeds, painting, patching concrete or repairing
facilities.

Winter charges up the snowpack, and time is dedicated for gaining
certifications, cleaning house, maintaining equipment, clearing snow,
and monitoring the system. The Moffat Collection System delivers water
through winter; flows decrease in early winter and start to pick up by late
April. Snowmobile or Sno-Cat patrols provide transportation to continue
work objectives during winter.

Under general supervision, operate and maintain the safe storage and delivery of
raw water. Maintain ditches, canals, dams, reservoirs, recreational campsites,
and restroom facilities. Perform valve changes to regulate the flow and water
levels.

If the Employee resides outside of Grand County in the Denver Metro Area, they
will be able to commute in a Denver Water issued vehicle and report to the
Winter Park office. The employee will work in Winter Park during the summer
months, generally defined as May – November. When the employee transitions to
winter season work December – April they will be stationed at an SOS site near
to the metro area (Ralston Reservoir, Kassler Pump Station, or similar
facilities).

If the Employee resides in Grand County a $500 monthly housing stipend is
available.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 2 years of related work experience.
• Any equivalent combination of certifications, education, or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities for the position.
• Colorado Water Distribution Class 1 Certificate required within 12 months of appointment.
• FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 within18 months of hire.
• Must be able to possess and maintain a valid Class ‘R’ Colorado driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record at time of hire.
• Must possess a valid Class ‘B’ Colorado Commercial Driver’s License within 6 months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Take and record information, including reservoir elevations, streamflow readings, and weather data.
• Patrol assigned departmental property to prevent vandalism, trespassing, and fires and cooperate with various local public and private agencies.
• Maintain and repair roads, buildings, and other structures in assigned areas. Perform related unskilled and semi-skilled labor including lifting, digging, carrying, mixing concrete, grounds and road repair, and carpentry work.
• Maintain liaison with visitors to department facilities. Work with local agencies concerning recreational opportunities at these facilities.
• Operate valves to regulate flows, check emergency valves periodically, and maintain outlet piping, valves, and valve chambers.
• Operate and maintain equipment including trucks, bulldozers, front-end loaders, road graders, air compressors, and pumps.
• Ensure safety and security of Denver Water facilities and property.
• Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Employees enjoy a robust 401(k) plan with employer contributions, a secure pension fund to support long-term financial well-being, and high-quality benefits that include a generous PTO package as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees