Water Plant Treatment Operator and Distribution ORC Manager

National Rural Water Association; Manitou Springs (CO); On-site; USD 92,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life Insurance

PERA Retirement

Paid Vacation

Holidays and Sick

Job summary

City of Manitou Springs is seeking a qualified Water Treatment Plant Operator to operate and maintain the City’s water treatment facilities and potable water distribution. You will serve as the ORC for distribution and support related utility maintenance activities, ensuring safe, reliable service and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The role requires experience in water treatment and distribution, plus CDPHE certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; must be at least 18 years of age.
• Five years of water treatment plant experience, plus three years of municipal potable water distribution experience and three years of municipal sewer system experience.
• Colorado CDPHE Class A Water Treatment certification and Class 4 Water Distribution ORC certification.
• Class 1 Wastewater Collection certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the water treatment plant and distribution system to maintain required drinking-water quality.
• Serve as the Distribution Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) per Colorado requirements.
• Coordinate operational work and respond to system issues and emergencies.
• Maintain accurate records, regulatory reports, and logs; ensure timeliness of documentation.
• Develop procedures and training plans; ensure staff receive appropriate instruction.

Skills

Water treatment operations

Distribution operations

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

CDPHE Class A Water Treatment

CDPHE Class 4 Water Distribution ORC

Class 1 Wastewater Collection certification

Tools

SCADA

Microsoft Office

Job description

Compensation $92,000.00 to $100,000.00 DOE

Full Benefits, include but not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PERA Retirement, Paid Vacation, Holidays and Sick

DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Under limited supervision, operates and maintains the City’s water treatment facilities and potable water distribution system; serves as the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for distribution; and supports related utility maintenance activities. Ensures safe, reliable service and compliance with applicable City, County, State, and Federal requirements. Provides technical guidance, coordinates operational work, and responds to system issues and emergencies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or auxiliary duties required. The City of Manitou Springs retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.):

The following duties are representative of the work performed. Other related duties may be assigned, and the City may modify duties or essential functions as operational needs require.

• Water Treatment Operations: Operate and monitor the water treatment plant, including pumps, motors, chemical feed and chlorination equipment, filters, backwash systems, tank levels, SCADA, telemetry, and treatment flows to maintain required drinking-water quality.
• Watershed and Reservoir Maintenance: Monitor and maintain the City watershed, reservoir, intake, and related facilities; track water levels and conditions, manage intake flows, and clean sedimentation basins as needed.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Collect and coordinate required treatment, bacteriological, residual, turbidity, and other water-quality samples from plant, distribution, and spring-fed locations; submit samples for analysis and respond appropriately to results.
• ORC Responsibilities: Serve as the Distribution Operator in Responsible Charge in accordance with applicable Colorado requirements; maintain required operational oversight and support continuity of qualified system coverage.
• Distribution System Operations: Coordinate day-to-day operation, inspection, and maintenance of the potable water distribution system; monitor system performance and water quality and address operational issues promptly.
• Procedures and Training Plans: Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures, operating and delegation plans, and related system plans; ensure staff receive appropriate instruction before performing assigned system activities.
• Records and Reporting: Maintain accurate, accessible operational logs, maintenance records, sample results, asset records, and regulatory reports; prepare and submit required documentation within established deadlines.
• Regulatory Compliance: Monitor compliance with applicable drinking-water, distribution, safety, and environmental requirements; report noncompliance as required and coordinate or participate in regulatory inspections, sanitary surveys, and audits.
• Planning and Capital Improvements: Identify and plan preventive maintenance, repairs, asset-management needs, contingencies, and capital improvements; coordinate project activities and confirm required permits are obtained before work begins.
• Equipment and Infrastructure Maintenance: Install, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair treatment and distribution equipment, including valves, weirs, flumes, gauges, electrical and telemetry components, and related system infrastructure.
• Meters, Hydrants, and Connections: Install, test, repair, and maintain water meters, service connections, main taps, fire hydrants, valves, and utility access structures; maintain meter inventory and investigate unusual consumption or potential leakage.
• Utility Construction and Repairs: Assist with municipal water, sewer, and stormwater utility construction and maintenance, including water and sewer lines, utility boxes and covers, paving repair, and wastewater collection system rehabilitation as assigned.
• Utility Locates: Complete or coordinate utility locates and help ensure water and sewer infrastructure is identified and protected before excavation or construction activities.
• Vehicles and Equipment: Operate and care for City vehicles, commercial vehicles, heavy equipment, hand tools, and power equipment; support appropriate equipment maintenance and safe use by assigned personnel.
• Materials and Supplies: Monitor and maintain supplies of treatment chemicals, parts, and maintenance materials; requisition and restock items and ensure they are stored, handled, and managed safely.
• Confined-Space Operations: Conduct or support confined-space work, including atmospheric monitoring, entry permits, use of tripods and harnesses, and required documentation in accordance with City safety procedures.
• Workplace Safety: Apply required safety practices, including chemical handling, traffic control, personal protective equipment, and precautions for biological, electrical, mechanical, atmospheric, and other utility-work hazards.
• Staff Guidance and Development: Provide technical guidance and cross-training to operators and other staff; coordinate assigned operational activities and encourage required certifications and professional development.
• Emergency Response: Respond to emergencies, after-hours calls, water-quality concerns, equipment failures, and service disruptions; implement established emergency procedures and take appropriate corrective action.
• Communication and Coordination: Coordinate with supervisors, other City departments, contractors, and the public; respond professionally to customer concerns and assist other Public Works/Public Services operations as needed.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED; must be at least 18 years of age.
• Five years of water treatment plant experience, plus three years of municipal potable water distribution experience and three years of municipal sewer system experience.
• Colorado CDPHE Class A Water Treatment certification and Class 4 Water Distribution ORC certification.
• Class 1 Wastewater Collection certification within one year of hire, as required for the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND WORK REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of drinking-water treatment and distribution operations, applicable regulations, safety practices, chemical handling, and confined-space procedures.
• Ability to troubleshoot system and equipment problems; perform calculations related to flows, volumes, and chemical dosages; and use common computer applications, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, maintain accurate records, exercise sound judgment, work independently, and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to perform physical utility work, including lifting, digging, and working around pavement, equipment, traffic, chemicals, biological materials, and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, rotating schedules, standby/on-call assignments, and occasional overtime as operational needs require.
• Successful completion of required background, drug-screening, motor vehicle record, and driving checks, as applicable to City policy and job duties.