Wastewater Operator

Cherokee Metropolitan District; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Retirement plan

Uniforms provided

Job summary

The Cherokee Metropolitan District is seeking a Wastewater Operator to join the team responsible for operating the Water Reclamation Facility and related systems, performing sampling, testing, and routine maintenance in accordance with regulations.

The candidate will hold Class D Wastewater Treatment certification (or obtain within 6 months) and Class 1 Collections certification (or obtain within 1 year), with willingness to work shifts, overtime, weekends, and on-call as required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of water treatment processes and operations.
• Familiarity with SCADA and laboratory testing procedures.
• Ability to read and follow safety, maintenance, and regulatory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate Water Reclamation Facility and related facilities to meet regulatory standards.
• Monitor treatment processes and adjust parameters as needed.
• Conduct sampling and laboratory analysis; document results.
• Oversee maintenance of equipment and coordinate with contractors as needed.
• Assist with safety procedures and on-call rotations; respond to emergencies.

Skills

Water treatment knowledge

SCADA systems

Laboratory testing

Maintenance skills

Communication

Tools

SCADA hardware

Laboratory equipment

Job description

General Purpose

The Wastewater Operator reports to the Wastewater Supervisor/ORC. Perform unskilled and semi‑skilled duties in the operation, sample collection, laboratory analysis, and maintenance of the water reclamation facility and of the collections system. This position must work well, independently or in group settings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operates Water Reclamation Facility and Related Facilities including:

• Operates facility to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, the district’s operating plan, and local policies and standards.
• Monitors effectiveness and efficiency of treatment processes. Makes recommendations for modifications based on facility performance. Modifies treatment parameters under delegation from the Operator in Responsible Charge as required.
• Maintains required documentation, transmits to State and Federal entities as applicable.
• Communicates changes in operating conditions and facility performance in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Monitors/orders inventory of various chemicals, materials, equipment, and supplies required for treatment, and communicates order status to relevant staff.
• Maintains knowledge of industry best practices, regulations, and standards.
• Responds to collections and water reclamation facility related emergencies.

Maintains Water Reclamation Facility and Related Facilities including:

• Troubleshoots, maintains, and assists with maintenance of a variety of industrial equipment including pumps, motors, centrifuges, blowers, valves, and other mechanical and electrical devices at either the pump stations or the water reclamation facility.
• Maintains facilities, including but not limited to painting, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, and general housekeeping.
• Makes recommendations on capital maintenance and capital construction projects.
• May oversee contractors commensurate with level of experience.

Monitors Water Quality including:

• Conducts monitoring and sampling at the facility, in waterways, and in the collection system.
• Performs and documents laboratory analysis in accordance with state and federal requirements, and District policies, procedures, and standards. Coordinates analysis by independent laboratories as needed.
• Maintains and calibrates laboratory equipment.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe conditions, acts accordingly to prevent accidents.
• Serves as primary operator on a rotating basis, and as assigned.
• Willingness to learn the I & C (Instrument and Controls) aspect of operations and SCADA programming.
• Understand written documents such as Safety Data Sheets, Operations and Maintenance Manual of the Facility, Colorado Regulations 100, Regulation 31 and 22, the discharge permit, and other industry regulations.
• On Call Rotations, including weekends and holidays to support 365‑day operations.
• Must be willing to work overtime, holidays, and weekends.

Knowledge, Ability, Skills

• Beginner to Intermediate and even advanced process treatment (MBR Process) troubleshooting skills, RO (Reverse Osmosis) treatment troubleshooting skills, collections line maintenance skills (combo truck and video inspection), industrial pretreatment, along with adept mechanical repair and maintenance skills, and experience with hand and power tools for working on mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.
• Knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, laboratory testing procedures, and process control related mathematical calculations; experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA); computerized maintenance management software; Microsoft 365 suite (Word, Excel, Teams, Planner) and other programs; as well as general database reporting.
• Learn and apply department policies and procedures; report status of on‑going projects to staff on a timely basis to ensure timelines are met and staff are informed; work independently, safely and execute judgment appropriately; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; review and analyze information and formulate logical recommendations.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

Work is performed both inside and outside the treatment facility, anywhere within the customer service area, and can be very physically demanding. Physical activities include heavy lifting; walking long distances; climbing and descending stairs, ladders, and steep terrain; using hand tools, power tools, lawn care equipment and snow removal equipment; operating District vehicles and heavy equipment.

Environmental Factors

Weather conditions; loud noise; high humidity; odors; confined spaces; poor air quality; bio‑hazardous aerosols; hazardous chemicals; rotating equipment; open tanks; electrical equipment and tripping hazards.

Certifications and Licenses

• Class D Wastewater Treatment certification or greater or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment
  Class 1 Collections certification or greater or the ability to obtain within 1 year of employment.
• Prefer Class B / A Colorado Commercial Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within a year.

Attractive Benefits Package

• 100% Employee medical, dental and vision coverage (choice of plans after 30 days).
• 75% Spouse and Dependent medical, dental and vision coverage (choice of plans after 30 days).
• 457 deferred compensation retirement plan with 8% company contribution, no employee match required.
• 30‑day vesting.
• 13 paid holidays (On‑call duties may require work during holidays, with pay).
• Paid vacation (accrual begins after 90 days).
• Paid sick leave (accrual begins upon start).
• Golf privileges for employee and immediate family members at the Cherokee Ridge Golf Course.
• Safety gear, including work boot allowance.
• Uniforms provided.
• Employer sponsored training and career development.
• Cherokee provides opportunities to grow professionally through development of technical knowledge and skills delivering challenging projects.

Additional Information

• FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt.
• Supervisory Classification: No.
• Probationary Period: 90 days.

This job description is not intended to list every function of the position, does not constitute an employment agreement or contract, and is subject to change. It is not intended to limit management’s rights to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

To ensure the safety of the public and reduce the risk for loss, background screenings and pre‑employment drug testing are completed on applicants selected for employment. This position is subject to a screening process including but not limited to criminal history search, reference check, degree and employment verification, motor vehicle record check and ongoing, random drug screening.

Interested applicants should submit an application, resume and letter of interest to Human Resources at [e-mail], or the Wastewater Manager, Joshua Watkins [e-mail]. Applications are available online at www.cherokeemetro.org or at the District’s main office located at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of an application and applications submitted via job search websites do not satisfy the requirement to complete the application found at www.cherokeemetro.org.

The Cherokee Metropolitan District is an Equal Opportunity Employer