Wastewater Treatment Operator A-D

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Operates the WRRF and the Boulder Lift Station in accordance with state and federal water quality regulations according to delegated authority for a Class D through A Operator under Colorado Regulation 100 and in accordance with the WRRF Operating Plan.   

• Maintains familiarity with the WRRF’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permit and applicable Colorado Department of Health and Environment regulations, including an operator’s responsibilities under Regulation 100. 

• Completes four (4) hours per year of training that is approved by the Colorado Certified Water Professionals. 

• Conducts regulatory sampling and record keeping under direction of lead operators and the operations supervisor. 

• Acts as backup for Plant Lead Operator in their absence (assuming Colorado Class D Certification has been obtained). 

• Controls and monitors mechanical, microbiological, and chemical wastewater treatment processes across the entire facility, including physical, chemical, and biological process monitoring, water quality analysis, process and equipment troubleshooting, liquids and solids stream process control, laboratory and sampling equipment maintenance and instrument calibrations. 

• Operates WRRF processes and programs using various technologies and computer programs, in addition to direct observation. 

• Understands the use of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and interpret data transmitted from local and remote equipment locations. Conducts SCADA rounds multiple times per day. 

• Relies on mobile “smart” applications to effectively communicate with others, monitor SCADA alarms, and access facility infrastructure maps. 

• Maintains familiarity of electronic folders and file navigation (including SharePoint) to access facility as-built drawings, schematics, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and Operations and Maintenance manuals to identify, conduct, troubleshoot, and resolve treatment issues. 

• Assists with the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to schedule and complete work orders and assist the WRRF maintenance team in asset management. 

• Maintains water quality database, such as HachWIMS, to enter laboratory results, access trends, and record process changes. 

• Writes, edits and updates SOPs, operational guidelines and safety documentation. 

• Monitors, sends, and responds to emails and manages a professional calendar. 

• Assists supervisors and staff with strategic objectives and facility management goals. 

• Maintains facilities and property, including housekeeping and upkeep of process buildings and equipment. Maintains a clean and safe work environment. 

• Operates the WRRF and systems consistent with energy efficiency goals and in alignment with citywide greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. 

• Monitors electrical power, natural gas, and other resource usage and striving to minimize consumption while maintaining wastewater treatment targets established by management and permitting agencies. 

• Participates in formal and informal training opportunities. 

• Plans for, practices, and responds to emergencies including but not limited to power outages, chemical spills, cybersecurity breaches, and equipment failures. Accurately documents steps taken to resolve or isolate issues. Remains alert to security integrity of the WRRF and the Boulder Lift Station. 

• Serves as an integral member of the wastewater treatment workgroup, 

• Coordinates operations activities as directed. 

• Plans and collaborates on unit process maintenance and annual work planning. 

• Purchases supplies and monitors inventory as directed. 

• Participates in the safety committee and safety procedure implementation. 

• Advances housekeeping and process area organization assignments. 

• Coordinates with other workgroups and participates in engineering design processes and treatment optimization studies. 

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

• Knows and complies with all city and department policies. 

• Conducts job duties with a continuing awareness of the environmental implications of decisions and a focus on providing municipal services in a sustainable manner. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Wastewater Treatment Operator D and Wastewater Treatment Operator C    

• Ability to be 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, is comfortable working through conflict and differences of opinion, willingly partners with and supports all Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Utilities Maintenance, Water Quality, and other staff to evaluate system needs and provide creative solutions with a positive attitude and is committed to ensuring wider Utilities Department success. 

• Ability to distill detailed technical information and provide written and verbal updates in both technical and lay terms and consistently communicate system status and updates with all staff. 

• Ability to exercise good judgment. 

• Ability to organize and problem solve issues as they occur. 

• Ability to proactively and effectively plan and execute work in a timely fashion to ensure reliable execution of all daily tasks and to follow through on special assignments. 

• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and priorities to identify and suggest creative resolutions to unique problems.  Driven to perpetually improve all facets of team and process performance. 

• Ability to take proper safety precautions to prevent accidents including use of all required safety equipment and following all safety regulations, policies, procedures and reporting requirements.  Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment.  

• Ability to use technical devices for sample measurement and equipment calibration. 

• Knowledge and familiarity with various software programs including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and plant operational data management system (HachWIMS). 

• Knowledge in troubleshooting, performing system analyses, and generating reports using a variety of computational tools, diagnostic equipment, and unique enterprise software. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word. 

• Knowledge of the City’s Vision and Values. and capable of promoting a culture of trust and candor. Fosters a team environment where how we do our work is as important as the work itself. 

• Skill in mechanical aptitude. 

• Skill in verbal and written communication. 

• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening. 

Wastewater Treatment Operator B and Wastewater Treatment Operator A 

In addition to the Wastewater Treatment Operator D and C minimum qualifications: 

• Ability to train others in the use of, storage of, and routine maintenance of safety equipment. 

• Ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to perform wastewater process instrument calibration. 

• Ability to troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues. 

• Ability to work independently and be the sole operator on duty. 

• Knowledge of hazardous chemicals, emergency response or have applicable training. 

• Knowledge of the operation of a wastewater biogas upgrading (renewable natural gas) system. 

• Knowledge of working at a water resource recovery facility or wastewater treatment facility. 

• Skill in activated sludge process control, anaerobic and aerobic digestion troubleshooting, and biosolids dewatering optimization. 

• Skill in conducting safety trainings and acquiring related safety certifications. 

• Skill in process optimization. 

• Skill working in a water quality laboratory. 

• Associate degree in a related field. 

• Confined Space Certification. 

• State of Colorado Class D Collection System Operator Certification. 

• State of Colorado Class D Water Treatment Operator Certification. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Wastewater Treatment Operator D  

• High School Diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• No experience required. 

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license. 

• State of Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator D Certification or ability to obtain certification within six (6) months. 

Wastewater Treatment Operator C  

• High School Diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• Two (2) year related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license. 

• State of Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator C Certification or new hires with the ability to obtain certification via reciprocity from a different US state within six (6) months. 

• Confined Space Certification or new hires have ability to obtain within nine (9) months. 

Wastewater Treatment Operator B  

• High School Diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• Three (3) years related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license. 

• State of Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator B Certification or new hires with the ability to obtain certification via reciprocity from a different US state within six (6) months. 

• Confined Space Certification or new hires have ability to obtain within nine (9) months. 

Wastewater Treatment Operator A  

• High School Diploma or GED; or equivalent of two (2) years’ experience may substitute for the education requirement only. 

• Four (4) years related experience or state-approved combination of education and experience. 

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license. 

• State of Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator A Certification or new hires with the ability to obtain via reciprocity from a different US State within six (6) months. 

• Confined Space Certification or new hires have ability to obtain within nine (9) months. 

SUPERVISION 

Supervision Received: Wastewater Treatment Operations Supervisor 

Supervision Exercised:  None 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS      

• Physical and Mental Effort: Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Ability to hear audible alarms at 80 dB and higher, visual acuity, manual dexterity in using precision and no-precision hand tools, power tools, and technical devices. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Ability to use ladders, stairs, underground vaults, cat walks, and scaffolding. Ability to work in an industrial setting to work in and around areas of limited access and confined spaces requiring standing, walking, bending, and kneeling. 

• Work Environment: Works in an industrial setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.  Works in permit required confined spaces that require ventilation and other measures to protect against dangerous gases and fumes. Ensures adequate shift coverage (10-hour or 13.3-hour shifts, or any other shift schedule), which includes filling shifts as necessary and calling in coverage and working until sufficient coverage is onsite. Ability to work variable and rotating hours, including evenings and weekend shifts. 

• Machines and Equipment Used: City vehicle, forklift, tractor, standard office equipment, including computers, mobile phones (including texting), and printers and scanners, laboratory equipment, sampling and monitoring equipment, hand tools, power tools, long‑handled tools, ladders and fall protection, equipment, and valves and pumps.