Utilities Water Plant Chief Operator

City of Englewood; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Retirement Plans

Paid Time Off

12 Paid Holidays

Job summary

The City of Englewood seeks a Plant Manager’s operational leader to direct daily water treatment plant operations under the Plant Manager’s guidance. You will lead staff, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and optimize processes within delegated authority.

You will work to maintain safe, reliable plant performance and coordinate with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates bring leadership experience in water treatment, strong regulatory knowledge, and proven ability to mentor

Qualifications

• Requires AS degree or higher in water-related field and leadership training
• Minimum 4 years of supervisory/leadership experience in water treatment or similar
• Colorado Water Operator A certificate or ability to obtain within 2 years
• Demonstrated knowledge of water treatment processes and regulatory requirements

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily operation of the water treatment plant
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local water regulations
• Lead and mentor plant operators; manage schedules and training
• Coordinate maintenance, process optimization, and safety initiatives
• Prepare and manage operational budgets and reporting
• Coordinate with engineering, maintenance, and compliance teams

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Decision making

Communication

Team development

Problem solving

Budget management

Safety leadership

Operational excellence

Continuous improvement

Education

AS degree in water quality management or process operation

Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry or engineering

Tools

SCADA

GIS

CMMS

MS Office (Word/Excel/Project/Outlook/PowerPoint)

Job description

The position serves as the Plant Manager's primary operational leader and works under the direction and guidance of the Plant Manager. The position is responsible for implementing the Plant Manager's operational priorities, providing day-to-day leadership to operations staff, and ensuring that established procedures, policies, and operational strategies are followed. The position is expected to use sound judgment and take appropriate action within established authority but will consult with and defer to the Plant Manager on significant operational, personnel, regulatory, financial, or process decisions.

The position is responsible for execution and leadership of daily operations, while the Plant Manager retains overall responsibility and authority for plant operations. The position does not independently establish plant-wide policies, change major treatment strategies, or make significant operational decisions outside their delegated authority without direction or approval from the Plant Manager.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Utilities Water Operations Treatment Manager
Direct Reports: May oversee Water Plant Operators

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Thelistedexamplesofworkarenotintendedtobeall-inclusive.Theymaybemodifiedwith additions, deletions, orchangesas necessary.

• Direct and oversee the daily operation of the water treatment plant and associated treatment processes.
• Maintain reliable plant operation while meeting production, water quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor treatment processes and make operational adjustments based on changing source-water conditions, demand, equipment performance, and water quality.
• Optimize chemical feed systems, coagulation, filtration, disinfection, ozone, corrosion control, sludge handling, dewatering, and other treatment processes.
• Promote steady-state plant operation and minimize unnecessary process fluctuations.
• Review SCADA trends, laboratory results, operational data, and field observations to identify developing issues and opportunities for process improvement.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and determine appropriate corrective actions using established procedures, sound water treatment principles, operational experience and data.
• Ensure appropriate operation during equipment failures, process upsets, power interruptions, emergencies, and other abnormal conditions.
• Maintain inventories of bulk chemicals and place orders as needed.

Regulatory Compliance and Water Quality

• Ensure plant operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local drinking-water regulations and permit requirements.
• Maintain required operating records, logs, sampling records, reports, and documentation.
• Monitor water quality parameters and investigate deviations from established operating targets.
• Coordinate required regulatory sampling and ensure samples are collected, handled, and submitted appropriately.
• Work with compliance personnel regarding water quality results, compliance requirements, and operational concerns.
• Maintain awareness of changes in drinking-water regulations and incorporate applicable requirements into plant operations.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and support to plant operators.
• Assign and prioritize operational duties to ensure adequate coverage and completion of required work.
• Assist with development and management of operator schedules, overtime, leave coverage, and on-call responsibilities, in addition to approving time sheets.
• Train and mentor operators at all certification levels.
• Promote development of operator knowledge and progression through state certification levels.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Establish expectations for safe, professional, and effective plant operations.
• Encourage operators to identify problems, investigate root causes, and develop solutions rather than simply reacting to symptoms.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement among operations staff.

Process Optimization

• Evaluate treatment performance and identify opportunities to improve water quality, reliability, chemical usage, energy consumption, sludge production, and operating costs.
• Use historical and real-time operational data to evaluate treatment performance and identify trends.
• Conduct or assist with process evaluations, pilot testing, jar testing, chemical optimization, and other studies.
• Evaluate the interaction between chemical treatment, hydraulics, equipment performance, instrumentation, and process controls.
• Develop recommendations based on operational data, scientific principles, and observed plant performance.
• When instructed to, implement process improvements while maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting treatment equipment.

Maintenance and Equipment

• Coordinate with maintenance, electrical, instrumentation, and controls personnel regarding equipment problems and repairs.
• Identify equipment deficiencies and prioritize work requests based on operational risk and plant needs.
• Assist with troubleshooting pumps, valves, actuators, chemical feed systems, instrumentation, SCADA, filters, ozone system, centrifuge, and other treatment equipment.
• Coordinate equipment shutdowns and return-to-service activities.
• Ensure operators properly document equipment deficiencies and operational concerns.
• Participate in capital improvement projects, equipment commissioning, and system modifications.

Safety and Emergency Response

• Promote and enforce safe work practices throughout plant operations.
• Ensure operators and onsite contractors follow applicable safety procedures, PPE requirements, chemical handling procedures, confined-space requirements, and emergency response procedures.
• Respond to plant emergencies and provide operational direction as needed.
• Participate in emergency preparedness activities, drills, and response planning.

Documentation and Communication

• Maintain accurate and timely operational records.
• Review operator logs and ensures important operational issues are documented and communicated.
• Prepare operational reports, summaries, recommendations, and other documentation as required.
• Communicate plant conditions, operational concerns, equipment issues, and water quality trends to management.
• Coordinate effectively with engineering, maintenance, laboratory, administration, contractors, and compliance personnel.
• Ensure important issues are communicated across shifts to prevent loss of information or continuity.
• Participate in the annual development of operational budget and preparation of supporting documents (quotes, memorandums, purchase orders, contracts).

SOPs and Training

• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures for plant processes and equipment.
• Ensure SOPs accurately reflect current equipment, controls, operating practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify training needs and develop or coordinate operator training.
• Assist in maintaining training documentation and assist operators in obtaining and maintaining required certifications.
• Provide hands‑on training for new equipment, treatment processes, and process changes.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Associate of Science degree in water quality management, process operation, or engineering science OR
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry or engineering desired. Formal leadership, supervision, or management training desired

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

• Formal leadership, supervision, or management training desired

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in treatment plant operations at a Class A water treatment facility (as defined in CDPHE Regulation 100).
• Experience in process optimization and pilot studies and previous supervisory or lead operator experience preferred.

An equivalent combination of education, training and relevant job experience may be substituted.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, or CERTIFICATIONS

• Certificationsand/orLicensures:RequiredColoradoWaterOperator"A"Certificateor ability to obtain within 2 years of hire.

In addition to above requirements: new hires must, as a condition of employment, pass the following pre-offer and post-offer/hire processes: in-person interviews, reference checks, and background checks, which may include local police check, DMV check, drug screen, and fingerprint checks through CBI/FBI.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated leadership and motivational skills, with the ability to foster strong working relationships with City employees, contractors, citizens, and external agencies through clear written and verbal communication.
• Strong decision-making abilities, utilizing analytical thinking and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and articulate team player capable of engaging effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Innovative thinker who provides creative solutions to operational challenges.
• Extensive experience in water operations and management.
• Deep understanding of water treatment processes and water quality control throughout the treatment cycle.
• Knowledge of water treatment plant residual dewatering processes.
• Proficient in GIS, CMMS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

PHYSICAL EXERTION

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in an operating water treatment facility with 24/7 operations.
• Position may require working outdoors and in areas exposed to weather, noise, chemicals, dust, water, and industrial equipment.
• May require climbing stairs and ladders, walking on uneven surfaces, and entering process areas.
• May require occasional work outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-ins.
• Must be able to respond to operational emergencies and provide direction during abnormal plant conditions.

Work is performed in and around the water treatment plant, including working near movingmechanical parts and exposure to fumes, waterborne pathogens, airborne particles, andvarious chemicals, some of which may be toxic. Working conditions include noisy, slippery, hot,andcold conditions.

Encounters with hazardous conditions (including electrical currents, heavy equipment, fumes, bodily fluids, extreme temperatures, threatening behaviors, inadequate lighting, restricted movement, or intense noise) is: Frequent (greater than 50% of Time)

SALARY RANGE

BENEFITS

The City of Englewood offers a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays

More information about our benefits can be found here

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.