Water/Wastewater Operator

Gunnison, City of•Wastewater Treatment Plant, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Gunnison is seeking a skilled and motivated Water/Wastewater Operator to join our Public Works team and play a critical role in protecting public health and maintaining reliable water and wastewater services. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands on work, problem solving, and working with both sophisticated treatment systems and laboratory processes. The Water/Wastewater Operator will operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes, collect and analyze water and wastewater samples, perform complex laboratory testing, maintain detailed operational records, and help ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. The position also works with pumps, motors, valves, SCADA systems, instrumentation, and other specialized equipment while responding to plant alarms, emergencies, and operational challenges. This is an opportunity to build a rewarding career in the water and wastewater field with opportunities to advance through operator classifications and certifications. Successful candidates will develop expertise in treatment processes, laboratory testing, regulatory monitoring, equipment operation, and process control while working as part of a team that provides an essential service to the Gunnison community. The position requires strong communication, problem solving, teamwork, and a commitment to safety, along with the ability to work outdoors, in confined spaces, and around treatment chemicals and equipment. If you are looking for meaningful work where your skills directly contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life of the community, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Relevant water/wastewater certifications as per job progression requirements
Strong communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Ability to obtain Class D Treatment or Level 1 Collections license and Class B CDL within 1 year
1 year of wastewater experience as defined by CCWP.
Ability to work outdoors, in confined spaces, and around treatment chemicals and equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull burdens in excess of 50 pounds.
Ability to use SCBA equipment required when working around the disinfection equipment and chemicals associated with water and wastewater treatment.
Ability to work in confined spaces, including but not limited to manholes, trenches, pipes, and sumps.
Visual and physical ability to occasionally work on computers.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Class D, C, B, and A wastewater treatment certifications
Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry
Cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.
Cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.

Responsibilities

Daily operation and monitoring of wastewater treatment and laboratory processes.
Complete safety training courses for applicable job duties.
Data collection and documentation of equipment run times, flows, and lab tests.
Maintain digital and hard copy databases on plant and lab operational data.
Assist in the operation and maintenance of pumps, VFD’s, motors, and other specialized equipment to maintain the proper functionality of the treatment processes.
Collect any required samples throughout the treatment process or in the community.
Maintain, repair, and service operational equipment through periodic greasing and oil changes.
Respond to and resolve public complaints and inquiries; investigate complaints; document findings and recommendations.
Maintain access and cleanliness of facilities and grounds.
Respond to On-Call emergencies and alarms as well as other related duties not specifically listed.
Ability to attain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within one year.
Assists in snow removal operations and assists other departments as required.
Participate in the on-call rotation, covering the water and wastewater departments.
Ability to develop and apply a working understanding of laboratory and process control functions, including TSS, TDS, BOD, and pH testing; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; operational principles of valves, pumps, motors, and instrumentation; sampling methods and techniques; safe work practices; and departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Operate a wide variety of heavy equipment including backhoes, dump trucks, front-end loaders, skid steers, and other related equipment.
Ability to work in confined spaces after required training is completed.
Work with chemical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems safely.
Demonstrate public relations and customer service skills with the public.
The ability to follow written and verbal instructions given by supervisors.
Respond to and aide in various emergency situations.
Ability to facilitate regulatory monitoring and testing required by CDPHE.
Make adjustments to the wastewater treatment process under the direction of the Wastewater Superintendent or Foreman.
Ability to troubleshoot and analyze the treatment process and make appropriate adjustments as per the direction of the Wastewater Superintendent or Foreman.
Ability to lead and train others in: treatment processes and equipment operation.
Ability to oversee and lead crew in emergent situations.
Ensure that all City affairs are within CDPHE Compliance for their respective PWSID/DMR
Effectively collaborate with team to accomplish variety of treatment and operational challenges.
Ability to effectively communicate well verbally and in writing.
Presentations to co-workers and community on treatment processes and projects.
Respond to difficult and sensitive situations in the absence of the Superintendent or Foreman.
Aid in departmental budgeting, planning and capital improvement processes within the department
Performs specialized and complex physical, biological, and bacteriological tests and analyses of raw, partially treated and treated wastewater to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of plant processes, including complete preparation and quality control for regular and special samples.
Collects samples of wastewater and by-products at various stages of processing for analysis and testing.
Performs mathematical calculations using standard methods to quantify laboratory test results.
Responds to plant malfunctions and emergency situations and takes corrective actions to correct or control plant operations and processes.
Ability to facilitate regulatory monitoring and testing required by CDPHE.
Maintain digital and hard copy databases on laboratory testing results.
Prepares and completes various local, state, and federal reports related to testing procedures, results, and recommendations.
Maintains the cleanliness of the laboratory and the related equipment.
Work with the Finance department for monthly customer billing on testing and compost sales.
Assists in performing plant operation duties as required.