Plant Operator Cert A-D (Water Treatment) Full Time

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

March 6, 2024

Hiring Range:

$23.79 – $29.07

This is a full-time hourly position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

BMEA (20+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

Daily operation of multiple water treatment facilities actively monitors and operates drinking water treatment systems; performs routine maintenance and minor repairs of plant equipment; directs the distribution of treated water through a system of pipes, valves, and reservoirs; performs appropriate monitoring; operates and controls hydroelectric facilities; and performs related duties as required.

Work Schedule: Full-time (average 42 hrs/week), working 48 hours (four 12-hour shifts) one week and 36 hours (three 12-hour shifts) the following in each two-week pay period. Shift hours are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, rotating between day and night shifts on a 12-week cycle. The position requires working nights, weekends, and holidays.

Location: Water treatment plants – both Betasso WTF and Boulder Reservoir WTF (63rd)

The starting hourly pay range for these positions are, commensurate with experience:

• Certification D – $25.74 – $28.52 hourly (full pay range is $20.33 – $32.54)

• Certification C – $27.94 – $31.36 hourly (full pay range is $22.37 – $35.79)

• Certification B – $28.22 – $34.51 hourly (full pay range is $24.61 – $39.37)

• Certification A – $31.06 – $35.76 hourly (full pay range is $27.09 – $43.35)

The City of Boulder supports employee growth and development and will pay for our staff to train, gain required experience and take certification exams to progress on the plant operator career ladder!

Job Description:

PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL COMPETENCIES:

As a member of the Water Treatment Operations Team, supports the efforts of a several work groups within the larger customer service-oriented Utilities group and provides support in a collaborative manner to foster teamwork and coordination within and across the Water Treatment, Water Resources, and Water Quality teams.   

Organized – Proactively and effectively plans and executes daily work in a timely fashion and follows-through to meet deadlines associated with the City’s water-related needs. 

Technically proficient – Highly-skilled and proficient at troubleshooting, performing system analyses, and generating reports using a variety of computational tools, diagnostic equipment, and unique enterprise software.   

Strong communicator – Distills highly technical information to provide written and verbal updates in both technical and lay terms, and consistently communicates system status & updates with all staff.  

Supportive teammate – Is kind, supportive, and professional in working with others; recognizes the importance of collaboration and strives to build lasting relationships with other city employees and community members; is socially perceptive, modeling consideration and tact while maintaining focus on tasks at hand; comfortable working through conflict and differences of opinion; willingly partners with and supports all Water Treatment, Water Resources, Water Quality, and other staff to evaluate system needs and provides innovative solutions with a positive attitude; committed to ensuring wider Utilities team success.                                                                         

Flexible, innovative, and engaged – Quickly adapts to changing circumstances and priorities to identify and suggest creative resolutions to unique problems.  Driven to perpetually improve all facets of system performance.  

Strongly aligns with City’s Vision and Values: customer service, respect, integrity, collaboration, and innovation. 

EXAMPLE DUTIES:

1. Operates the facilities and associated processes in accordance with state and federal water quality regulations; obtains and maintains Colorado Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification within five years of hire and updates job knowledge, as necessary. 

2. Controls and monitors mechanical and chemical water treatment processes and distribution of the treated water throughout the treated water system: 

• Regulates and/or adjusts raw water sources, treatment processes, residuals recovery, pumps, and valves to control liquid stream and solids treatment processes. 

• Utilizes supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) instrumentation and direct observation to continuously monitor and interpret data transmitted from local and remote equipment locations. Uses data, facility schematics, and O&M manuals to identify, locate, and resolve treatment issues. 

• Plans for, practices, and responds to emergencies including but not limited to power outages, chemical spills, and equipment failures; provides first response troubleshooting of equipment and process in emergencies. 

• Performs routine laboratory analyses and appropriately adjusts treatment processes based on laboratory results and direct observations. 

• Orders, loads, unloads, and regulates treatment chemicals and supplies. 

• Assists maintenance staff in maintenance/operations activities, as needed. 

• Performs troubleshooting of treatment process, equipment problems, and prepares equipment for repair work 

• Assists in maintaining facilities, including cleaning and upkeep of buildings, equipment, and grounds. 

3. Operates treatment and distribution systems on assigned shifts. 

• Controls multi-zoned high-pressure water distribution system using pumps, valves, and hydroelectric generators; operates raw and treated water hydroelectric power stations (nine) with pressures ranging from 100 to 800 PSI. 

• Ensures adequate shift coverage for 24-hour operation, covers shifts as necessary, and calls to find coverage. 

• Effectively communicates operational information across shifts and to management team. 

4. Maintains logs and records of plant data, including entering and retrieving data on a PC and reviewing, updating, and ensuring completion of logs by the end of the shift. Analyzes data utilizing trending and statistical tools. 

5. Serves on group committees such as safety, emergency response, design review, and treatment optimization studies. May take the lead role on committees and projects and develop appropriate reports and summaries, as requested. 

6. Assists with the development of the annual operations work plan; assists in formulating and updating standard facility and process operating procedures including development and implementation of safety-related procedures and programs. 

7. Attends to conditions and events occurring at the water treatment facility indicating anticipated or needed maintenance and repair; performs troubleshooting of plant processes to improve overall treatment quality. 

8. Maintains a clean and safe work environment, including monitoring work in progress to pinpoint hazards. 

9. Requirement to work variable rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. 

10. Remains alert to security of treatment plants and distribution and hydroelectric facilities. 

11. Serves as after-hours contact for water-related problems and citizen concerns; appropriately responds to citizen concerns and inquiries and initiates call-out procedure, when necessary; may provide facility tours. 

12. Trains, directs, and reviews the work of other operation staff, including lower-level-certified operators and operator trainees. 

13. Other: 

• Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city. 

• Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe circumstances, and acts accordingly to prevent accidents. 

• Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property. 

• Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

OPERATOR D:

High school diploma; Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator D Certification or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire; must be able to work under minimal supervision and exercise good judgment; good verbal and written communication skills and good organizational and problem-solving skills; mechanical aptitude; physical ability to work in an industrial setting in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling; ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher; visual acuity; manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices; ability to properly utilize and train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment; ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration; ability to work variable hours, including night shifts, as well as being the sole operator on duty; ability and willingness to collaborate and work well with others, including good communication, team building, and conflict resolution skills; valid driver’s license: must have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.

OPERATOR C:

High school diploma; Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator C Certification; must be able to work under minimal supervision and exercise good judgment; good verbal and written communication skills and good organizational and problem-solving skills; mechanical aptitude; physical ability to work in an industrial setting in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling; ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher; visual acuity; manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices; ability to properly utilize and train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment; ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration; ability to work variable hours, including night shifts, as well as being the sole operator on duty; ability and willingness to collaborate and work well with others, including good communication, team building, and conflict resolution skills; valid driver’s license: must have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.

OPERATOR B:

High school diploma; Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator B Certification; must be able to work under minimal supervision and exercise good judgment; good verbal and written communication skills and good organizational and problem-solving skills; mechanical aptitude; physical ability to work in an industrial setting in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling; ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher; visual acuity; manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices; ability to properly utilize and train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment; ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration; ability to work variable hours, including night shifts, as well as being the sole operator on duty; ability and willingness to collaborate and work well with others, including good communication, team building, and conflict resolution skills; valid driver’s license: must have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.  

OPERATOR A:

High school diploma; Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator A Certification; must be able to work under minimal supervision and exercise good judgment; good verbal and written communication skills and good organizational and problem-solving skills; mechanical aptitude; physical ability to work in an industrial setting in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling; ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 pounds; ability to hear audible alarms at 80 DB and higher; visual acuity; manual dexterity in using precision and non-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices; ability to properly utilize and train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment; ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration; ability to work variable hours, including night shifts, as well as being the sole operator on duty; ability and willingness to collaborate and work well with others, including good communication, team building, and conflict resolution skills; valid driver’s license: must have and maintain acceptable motor vehicle record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS – In addition to the required minimum qualifications: 

Associate or higher degree in related field; previous operational experience at a water treatment facility; hazardous chemical response training; process optimization experience; electrical and mechanical troubleshooting experience; training/certification/operational experience in hydroelectric facility operation; experience/certification in industrial treatment and distribution system operation;  training/certification in first aid, CPR, and confined space entry; experience in drinking water regulatory compliance; training/experience in filter evaluation & surveillance; experience working night and rotating shifts/experience utilizing computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS); customer service experience; analytical instrument calibration experience.   

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:  

WORKING CONDITIONS – Required Physical and Mental Effort, and Environmental Conditions: 

In addition to the information listed in the required minimum qualifications section. 

Physical and Mental Effort: See “required minimum qualifications” section for additional information. 

Also requires ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, limited public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. 

Work Environment: Works in an industrial setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises. 

Machines and equipment used include, but are not limited to the following: City vehicle, laboratory equipment, sampling and monitoring equipment, hand tools, power tools, telephone/paging system, long-handled tools, computers, and various software programs including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), computer maintenance management system (CMMS), Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and Access. 

ACCOMMODATIONS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. 

Additional Job Description:

Last update August, 2023

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to [email protected].