Plant Operator A

Denver Water•Littleton, CO

About The Position

Water Treatment Tech Position Summary This is an entry level position. Under direct supervision, train on and perform a variety of jobs necessary for the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and appurtenant structures. As a treatment technician, learn to use physical and chemical conventional water treatment techniques to become proficient at providing an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water to the public. As an asset management technician, learn to maintain plant equipment and structures such as chemical feed/storage, piping, valves, basins, and reservoirs. Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B Under general supervision, perform a variety of duties essential to the operation and maintenance of potable and recycled water treatment plants. Apply physical, biological, and chemical water treatment techniques to produce finished water that meets Federal and State regulatory requirements and Denver Water’s water quality goals. May fill in for or cross-train in asset management as needed.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED.
Minimum 1 year of general work experience. – Water Treatment Tech
Minimum of two years of related work experience. – Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B
Any equivalent combination of certifications, education, or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities for the position.
At time of hire: must possess a valid State of Colorado Water Operator Class B certification. – Plant Operator B
At time of hire: must possess a valid State of Colorado Water Operator Class A certification. – Plant Operator A
Will be required to obtain 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification within 6 months of hire. – Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B Only
Within 12 months of hire, the technician must possess a valid Colorado Treatment Operator Class D certification in water or wastewater. – Water Treatment Tech Only
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.
This is a safety sensitive job where an employee's direct action/inaction may lead to immediate harm to self, team, or the public and/or will have significant risk to the mission of Denver Water. To promote the safety, employees in this job must possess English proficiency adequate to effectively communicate with customers and coworkers, including proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
This position is subject to respiratory protection testing as directed per Denver Water Physician.

Responsibilities

Learn and become proficient at determining and changing plant flows to meet system demands. Operate necessary computer equipment to coordinate plant operations.
Learn and become proficient at controlling quality and quantity of finished water by regulating filter operations as required. Maintain proper chemical dosages and feed equipment settings for influent and effluent plant flows.
Learn and become proficient at performing laboratory tests on influent and effluent water such as turbidity, alkalinity and hardness, chlorine residual, ammonia residual, fluoride concentration, pH, odor, and coagulant dosage tests. Develop written operating procedures.
Treatment Tech: Under direct supervision, learn and become proficient at performing a variety of duties necessary to the operation of treatment facilities and appurtenant structures. Uses physical, chemical and biological conventional and advanced treatment techniques to provide an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water to the public and other end-users. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Uses SCADA to manage and control operations. Provides routine metrics and data analytics.
Operate multiple treatment plants including related subsystems. Monitor the treatment process from the SCADA operating network; monitor various treatment processes including, but not limited to coagulant feed, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control treatment. Monitor raw water and downstream finished water quality. Capable of making all process decisions for facility operations to maintain compliance with Federal and State regulations and maintaining all Denver Water Quality Goals and Targets.
Additionally, monitor water quality by performing laboratory tests at various stages in the treatment process, calibrate laboratory equipment, compare to on-line instrumentation readings, and maintain records.
May serve as shift ORC at a single treatment plant.
Monitor systems for alarms, adjust, and provide appropriate response.
Operate and maintain chlorination equipment for pre-treatment, filtration, and disinfection systems. Maintain Risk Management Program (RMP) compliance through training, proper use of PPE and annual mandatory inspection, repair and replacement of chlorination equipment and instrumentation. Must complete initial 40-hour RMP training and meet annual 8-hour RMP training requirements.
Perform calibration of chemical feed equipment. Order chemicals and take delivery of bulk chemicals.
Perform facility inspections of treatment processes, equipment, instrumentation, storage tanks and grounds. Make visual inspections of facility processes, equipment, instrumentation, and facility grounds.
Perform complex plant start-ups and shutdowns, including emergency shutdowns.
Assess project risks and develop job hazard analysis (JHA) and adhere to Denver Water’s safety practices and policies.
May assist in training new technicians. May create and/or update SOPs and other training documents.
Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
Perform related duties as required.
May be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Operate and maintain solids handling systems.
Provide appropriate first response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials. Wear respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required.