Plant Operator (A-D)

Final Day To Apply:

10/20/2026

It's fun and rewarding to work for the City of Steamboat Springs!  Our employees are passionate and proud to serve our community with excellence and distinction.  Our teams are awesome, and we are committed to our community and the very special place that is Steamboat Springs, Colorado! 

Job Description:

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with:

·         A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked!

·         A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being

·         A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city 

·         A highly engaged workforce proudly serving our community with excellence and distinction

·         A passion for strategically providing outstanding municipal services

·         A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley

Uniqueness Fuels Our Innovative Spirit
Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experiences drives us forward every day. It's the collective sum of our experiences that makes Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley a powerful, insightful and welcoming community.  
 
The City of Steamboat Springs is now hiring a Plant Operator in our Wastewater division.  We are accepting applications for certified Plant Operators at any level (A-D).  Put your talents and skills to work to contribute to our vibrant community! 

 

Salary ranges for each level are as follows and compensation is dependent upon experience, certification, and qualifications:

 

Plant Operator A: $33.77 - $47.27/hr.

Plant Operator B: $30.70 - $42.98/hr.

Plant Operator C: $27.91 - $39.07/hr.

Plant Operator D: $25.37 - $35.52/hr.

PLUS a $500 Signing Bonus!

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled technical and maintenance work in the operation, maintenance and repair of wastewater treatment facilities and systems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None generally. May serve as a lead worker over lower level operators or maintenance workers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect and Compassion, while espousing safety at all times.

Monitors the performance of all equipment, gauges and charts in the treatment plant and pump stations; records statistical data concerning plant operations; maintains, operates, repairs and replaces equipment as necessary; charts lab test results for trend analysis and maintains accurate records of analyses and test results; evaluates data and compiles daily, weekly and monthly reports of plant performance as required.

Operates, maintains and repairs malfunctions at the wastewater treatment plant; repairs gauges, pumps, filters and other controls and equipment.

Collects samples and identifies chemical, physical or biological characteristics of wastewater in accordance with local, state and Federal requirements; Gathers and tests wastewater samples for plant efficiency reports as required.

Performs quality control tests on lab equipment and lab analyses; evaluates procedures and results for accuracy and determines appropriate methods.

Assures that plant operates within required standards. Maintains plant safety and security systems, facilities, and grounds.

Trains and maintains lesser skilled operators in acceptable lab methods and procedures to assure accuracy of test results. Contains and disposes of hazardous wastes generated by the lab.

Calibrates, modifies or repairs instrumentation and control equipment including recorders, flowmeter and other water quality monitoring equipment.

Operates and maintains sewage pump stations; cleans wet wells and operates pumps and valves to control and adjust flow and treatment process.

Serves on various employee or other committees as assigned.

Maintains the drawings and schematics of electrical and other systems in the treatment plant.

Monitors performance of electrical systems, circuits or equipment of the treatment plant.

Since the WWTP operates 24/7/365, employee is expected to work some weekends and holidays. Additionally, employee must be on-call (able to get to the plant in 30 mins.) in case of unexpected power outage, emergency or disaster.

Employee will review and collaborate with engineers, contractors, vendors and planners on future expansion plans, technology upgrades, and functionality of design.

Responsible for operation and maintenance of effluent land-use irrigation pumps, pipes and field application guns.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school education or GED equivalent required, and supplemented by two (2) years post-secondary college or technical training in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field, and
• Experience in lab maintenance, electrical, mechanical and/or technical area preferred.
• Must obtain Class D Wastewater License within 9-months.

Necessary knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods and procedures used in wastewater treatment plant maintenance and operation activities, working knowledge of laboratory procedures and practices.
• Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to perform process control calculations; ability to work safely; ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Valid State Driver's license.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motor vehicle including plow truck, various light and heavy equipment including loader, biosolids centrifuge, SCADA computer, UV disinfection system, generators, pumps, gauges, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, calculator, and a variety of lab equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

If you like serving in a role that will directly and positively impact our great community, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Pay Range:

$25.37 - $47.27

Offers will be negotiated based on each candidate's qualifications.

Merit:
This role is eligible for merit within our pay-for-performance philosophy via our annual performance review process.  Hires after September 1st will take the next year's compensation data into account but would not be eligible for merit until the following year.

Benefits:
Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage options as well as other program offerings such as our Employee Assistance Program and more. You may also contribute to our 401(a) plan that includes a company match.  Seasonal roles are not eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage, but have benefits such as Paid Sick Leave, Ski and Skate Pass, Employee Assistance Program, etc.