Water/Wastewater Operator

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

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 hard copy databases on laboratory testing results. Prepares and completes various local, state, and federal reports related to testing procedures, results, and recommendations. Maintains the cleanliness of the laboratory and the related equipment. Work with the Finance department for monthly customer billing on testing and compost sales. Assists in performing plant operation duties as required. Job Progression and Licensing Requirements per Operator Level Classification: Employees advance through the classifications shown below based on wastewater treatment or collections certification obtained through CDPHE and applicable experience. Eligibility for Class D, C, B, and A wastewater treatment certifications generally requires one, two, three, and four years of qualifying experience, respectively. A bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry may substitute for up to two years of required experience. All operators regardless of classification will be expected to reasonably pursue other certifications within their listed classification in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collections and wastewater treatment not currently in possession of or obtained within their associated job classification as listed above.   Water/Wastewater Operator Classification Requirements Classification Certification Minimum Experience Key Competencies Systems Worker Ability to obtain Class D Treatment or Level 1 Collections license and Class B CDL within 1 year Entry-level Follow instructions; learn basic system operations and safe work practices Class D Operator Class D Treatment or Level 1 Collections 1 year* Operate equipment; respond to emergencies; provide effective customer service Class C Operator Class C Treatment or Level 2 Collections 2 years* Perform regulatory testing and monitoring; assist with process adjustments and operator training Class B Operator Class B Treatment or Level 3 Collections 3 years* Troubleshoot SCADA and treatment processes; make process adjustments; lead and train staff; demonstrate proficiency in SOPs, sampling, and safe work practices Class A Operator Class A Treatment or Level 4 Collections 4 years* Ensure regulatory compliance; manage and train teams; oversee complex treatment processes; assist with budgeting and planning; handle sensitive issues in the Chief Operator's absence *Wastewater experience as defined by CCWP.
All operators are expected to keep their associated licenses current without lapsing, including the required Class B Commercial Driver’s License.
Job Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:	High school diploma or GED, relevant water/wastewater certifications as per job progression requirements; strong communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Other Necessary Requirements:	Must meet City residency requirements.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:	Knowledge & Skills: Operation Monitoring — monitoring digital and analogue gauges to make sure a machine is working properly.  Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems, specifically use of backhoe, front end loader, dump truck, compaction devices, hand tools, water pumps, and electrical motors.  Safety — Knowledge of safety practices and procedures that are specific to the working environment.
Working Conditions
Work Environment:	The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually relatively quiet.  While operating equipment, ear protection may be necessary.  This position spends the majority of its time in an outdoor or unprotected environment.  The employee will make frequent trips to external locations, and will be exposed to weather elements, temperatures, and automobile travel. This position will be utilizing chemicals and hazardous materials, consistent with wastewater treatment and collection systems.  The employee may be frequently exposed to the possibility of accident or injury associated with working in this type of industry.
Physical Activities:	The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull burdens in excess of 50 pounds. Ability to use SCBA equipment required when working around the disinfection equipment and chemicals associated with water and wastewater treatment. Ability to work in confined spaces, including but not limited to manholes, trenches, pipes, and sumps. Visual and physical ability to occasionally work on computers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Tools and Equipment Used:		Operate construction equipment and power tools such as dump trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, tampers, tap machines, pavement saws, cutting torches and welders. Tools and equipment used in the operation, installation, maintenance, and repair of water distribution and sewer collection systems.
Supervision Received:
Works under the general supervision of the Wastewater Forman and/or the Wastewater Superintendent.
Supervision Exercised:
Generally None. May supervise temporary staff or give assignments and direction to staff in training.  Acts as a competent person on excavations.