Water/Wastewater Operator

City of Santa Fe Springs; Gunnison (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Gunnison is seeking a skilled Water/Wastewater Operator to join our Public Works team. The role focuses on operating wastewater treatment processes, collecting samples, and performing laboratory tests to ensure regulatory compliance and safe water quality.

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with treatment systems, equipment like pumps and motors, and the ability to respond to alarms and emergencies while maintaining detailed records and teamwork with the department.

Qualifications

• Experience operating wastewater treatment and laboratory testing.
• Collect samples and perform tests following SOPs.
• Work with SCADA systems and data logging.”

Responsibilities

• Operate daily wastewater treatment and lab processes.
• Collect samples and perform tests per SOPs.
• Maintain plant records and data logs.
• Respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Collaborate with team and assist in budgeting and planning.

Skills

Water/wastewater operations

Laboratory testing

SCADA systems

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Tools

SCADA systems

Laboratory instruments

Job description

The City of Gunnison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The City of Gunnison is dedicated to the principles of equal employment. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law.

Description

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.

Starting Salary Ranges

Worker $56,200-$69,267

Class “D” $59,200-$72,943

Class “C” $65,100-$80,300

Class “B” $71,700-$88,367

Class “A” $78,800-$97,200

Examples Of Duties And Qualifications

General Purpose:Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and leading all laboratory testing on water and wastewater systems. Performs complex physical, chemical, and biological laboratory testing procedures to ensure adequate treatment of wastewater and water. Responsible for water & wastewater sampling, analysis, and record keeping. Performs technical tasks related to the operation, maintenance, repair, and security of the wastewater treatment plant including equipment, vehicles, grounds, and laboratory. Ensure public health and safety through the wastewater treatment processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The City reserves the right to modify or change duties or essential functions of this job at any time.

General 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. Plant equipment includes pumps, valves, motors, manual and automated bar screens, lift stations, dewatering and HVAC systems.
• 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.

Wastewater Operator Responsibilities:

This position will focus on wastewater and laboratory operations, with the expectation of cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.

• 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.
• Maintain digital and hard copy databases on plant operational data.
• 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

Laboratory Technician Responsibilities:

This position will focus on laboratory and wastewater operations, with the expectation of cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.

• 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.
• Demonstrate public relations and customer service skills with the public.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions given by supervisors.
• Ability to facilitate regulatory monitoring and testing required by CDPHE.
• Maintain digital and