Water Operator

Summary•Avon, CO

5d•$31 - $52

About The Position

Want to work with great people and make a real impact? Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD) is hiring a Water Operator to join our team and support our mission of providing safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible water and wastewater services to the Vail Valley. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, problem-solving, and hands-on work while gaining big-picture exposure to water operations. We’re open to translatable skills and willing to train. If you bring mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting experience, a scientific mindset, or a strong interest in public service, we can help you build the technical expertise needed for a long-term career in water operations. At Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, the work you do matters. We operate a complex water and wastewater system in the heart of Colorado’s Vail Valley, serving mountain communities across challenging terrain and significant elevation changes. Our teams manage diverse treatment technologies, critical infrastructure, and essential public services that protect public health and the environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED and completion of formal training in water treatment, distribution, or management OR 6 months of mechanical maintenance experience, preferably in water or wastewater systems.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License required.
Must obtain Water Treatment Operator Class D and Water Distribution Operator Class 1 licenses within 12 months.
Must follow safety protocols, obtain CPR/First Aid certification within 12 months, and maintain safety training.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, GIS for maps, and office equipment like phones and copiers.

Nice To Haves

Higher levels of licensure are desired.
Mechanical aptitude and some experience with hand tools are preferred.
Water quality testing or lab experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Treatment Operations: Perform day-to-day water treatment plant operations, including equipment checks, basic troubleshooting, and operation of pumps, valves, chemical feed systems, and storage tanks using SCADA systems, while monitoring and adjusting treatment parameters to meet regulatory requirements.
System Support: Serve as a flex operator supporting operators and supervisors across all treatment facilities to maintain operational coverage, support project and maintenance work, and participate in the rotating 24/7 on-call operator schedule.
Maintenance & Asset Management Support: Perform general mechanical maintenance and assist with troubleshooting treatment equipment, support membrane treatment plant operations and maintenance activities, and assist with the development and update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Water Quality: Collect regulatory and process control water quality samples, perform field and basic laboratory testing, support water quality sampling and optimization programs, as well as maintain and calibrate testing equipment and online instrumentation.
Regulatory Compliance: Demonstrate working knowledge of state and federal drinking water regulations, complete QA/QC documentation, and coordinate required testing with certified laboratories.
Teamwork, Communication & Administration: Work independently and collaboratively across departments to support operational needs, respond professionally to customer water quality inquiries, and complete required logs, reports, time entry, purchasing reconciliation, and other administrative tasks.
Safety: Follow all ERWSD safety and security procedures and PPE requirements, maintain required safety certifications, and participate in ongoing safety training.

Benefits

Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays: 13.5 paid holidays
Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks of paid leave for new parents
Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Recreation benefit of up to $800 annually for participating in wellness activities
Employee Assistance Program
Gym Discounts & Pro-Deals
414(h) and457(b) Retirement Plan: Optional pre-tax or Roth contributions
SmartDollar Financial Wellness Program
Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $3,000 annually for job-related college coursework
Housing Assistance: Monthly housing stipend of $522, employee housing (pending availability), and down payment assistance programs
Loan Programs for Ski Passes, Electric Vehicles, and Computers
Life & AD&D Insurance: Employer-paid coverage up to 3x annual salary
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance