Job Description

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Treatment Specialist

Why Should You Join Our Team? Our Wastewater Operations department is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Treatment Specialist to help operate and maintain our wastewater treatment plant and handle non-routine equipment and process control issues in the plant. The work that you do will ensure the successful operations of our wastewater treatment facility from an efficiency and safety standpoint.

Please note that this position will be filled at one of four levels based on the level of experience, certification, skills, and qualifications of the selected candidate.

• Treatment Plant Operator – A - $44.12/hr. to $46.33/hr.
• Treatment Plant Operator – B - $38.13/hr. to $40.03/hr.
• Treatment Plant Operator – C - $34.55/hr. to $36.29/hr.
• Treatment Plant Operator – D - $31.34/hr. to $32.91/hr.

How Will You Make an Impact?

• Operating a wastewater treatment plant efficiently and complying with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations
• Accurate data acquisition and maintaining records of the daily treatment operations
• Understanding, monitoring, and analyzing the treatment process
• Troubleshooting routine, non-routine, and complex treatment processes, water quality issues, or equipment problems
• Understanding of and experience with process instrumentation and SCADA process control
• Performing equipment maintenance, calibration, and maintaining all process instrumentation
• Performing sampling and testing on plant processes and interpreting results
• Completing and accurately filing regulatory reports and pertinent legal documents
• Writing training documents and SOPs for new operational procedures and/or equipment
• Controlling, monitoring, and changing plant operation processes
• Inventorying and ordering treatment chemicals
• Mixing chemicals to the proper/required concentrations
• Adhering to and understanding chemical system safety, discharge permits, and all other environmental procedures and concerns

Please note that essential functions and working conditions of this position include working rotating shifts, nights, weekends, overtime, standby, and holidays as dictated by business needs.

Who You Are:

• Relevant and progressively responsible experience in a wastewater treatment environment
• Possession of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator “D” State of Colorado Certification; A, B, and/or C certifications are valued
• Knowledge of and experience with wastewater regulatory compliance and applicable wastewater laws and regulations is valued
• Knowledge of and experience with treatment plant operations and maintenance procedures, process controls, performing analytical instrument calibration and maintenance, and operating and troubleshooting treatment plant and process equipment is valued
• Knowledge of computer-based process control (SCADA) is valued
• Knowledge of applicable water/wastewater mathematics, chemistry, biology, hydraulics, and physics principles and processes is valued
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver’s license

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerts 20-50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
• Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Who We Are...
Colorado Springs Utilities, a four-service utility provider with a 100-year reputation of integrity, gives you an experience unmatched by other utility companies. We continuously strive to stay ahead of the business curve with our established priority to update and incorporate state-of-the-art technology and provide a work culture dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and synergy. In fact, we were recently awarded the Diamond Designation from the American Public Power Association (APPA), recognizing our utility for having some of the highest ratings in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements among the more than 2,000 public utilities in the nation. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of mountain and city living. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you will enjoy nature at its finest while residing in one of the most desirable places to live in the United States (according to U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness