Local recruitment: Water Treatment Tech - Plant Operator A/B

Position Summary

We are looking for a dynamic, adaptable, and passionate team member to join a group of talented individuals on the Start-Up, Commissioning, and Optimization Group. This position will operate the Wastewater Recycling System—a small, on-site wastewater reuse system in Denver Water’s Administration Building—and support various start-up and commissioning activities in the Water Quality & Treatment section. Opportunities abound to utilize and expand upon your knowledge, skills, and abilities in various ways through various projects, so please apply today!

Water Treatment Tech

This is an entry level position. Within the Startup, Commissioning, and Optimization team, support the startup and commissioning efforts of capital projects related to water quality and treatment. Under direct supervision, train on and perform a variety of jobs necessary for the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and relevant structures.  As a treatment technician, learn to use physical and chemical conventional water treatment techniques to become proficient at providing an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water to the public. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Uses SCADA to manage and control operations. Provides routine metrics and data analytics. Additionally, this role will support the management of the onsite wastewater reuse system located at Denver Water’s new administration building.

Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B

Under general supervision, support and manage various projects related to the Startup, Commissioning, and Optimization within the water quality and treatment section. Perform a variety of duties essential to the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants (potable and recycled). Use physical, biological, and chemical water treatment techniques to produce finished water that meets Federal and State regulatory requirements and Denver Water’s water quality goals. May fill in or cross train for asset management as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Water Treatment Tech

All Technicians must be able to perform safety sensitive functions; provide appropriate first response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials, wear respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required.  They may be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Technicians report to two or more Denver Water treatment plants. All team members perform other duties as assigned and cross train as needed. Other responsibilities include:

• Learn and become proficient at determining and changing plant flows to meet system demands. Operate necessary computer equipment to coordinate plant operations.
• Learn and become proficient at controlling quality and quantity of finished water by regulating filter operations as required. Maintain proper chemical dosages and feed equipment settings for influent and effluent plant flows.
• Learn and become proficient at performing laboratory tests on influent and effluent water such as turbidity, alkalinity and hardness, chlorine residual, ammonia residual, fluoride concentration, pH, odor, and coagulant dosage tests. Develop written operating procedures.
• May assist in training other technicians. May create and/or update SOPs and other training documents.

• Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
• Perform related duties as required.
• May be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.

Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B

• Operate multiple treatment plants including related subsystems. Monitor the treatment process from the SCADA operating network; monitor various treatment processes including, but not limited to coagulant feed, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control treatment. Monitor raw water and downstream finished water quality. Capable of making all process decisions for facility operations to maintain compliance with Federal and State regulations and maintaining all Denver Water Quality Goals and Targets.
• Additionally, monitor water quality by performing laboratory tests at various stages in the treatment process, calibrate laboratory equipment, compare to on-line instrumentation readings, and maintain records.
• May serve as shift ORC at a single treatment plant.
• Monitor systems for alarms, adjust, and provide appropriate response.
• Operate and maintain chlorination equipment for pre-treatment, filtration, and disinfection systems. Maintain Risk Management Program (RMP) compliance through training, proper use of PPE and annual mandatory inspection, repair and replacement of chlorination equipment and instrumentation. Must complete initial 40-hour RMP training and meet annual 8-hour RMP training requirements.
• Perform calibration of chemical feed equipment. Order chemicals and take delivery of bulk chemicals.
• Perform facility inspections of treatment processes, equipment, instrumentation, storage tanks and grounds. Make visual inspections of facility processes, equipment, instrumentation, and facility grounds.
• Perform complex plant start-ups and shutdowns, including emergency shutdowns.
• Assess project risks and develop job hazard analysis (JHA) and adhere to Denver Water’s safety practices and policies.
• May assist in training new technicians. May create and/or update SOPs and other training documents.
• Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
• Perform related duties as required.
• May be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Operate and maintain solids handling systems.
• Provide appropriate first response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials. Wear respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required.

The following disciplines fall under this job description:

• Plant Operator A: Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties necessary to operate treatment facilities and related structures. Uses physical, chemical, and biological conventional and advanced treatment techniques in combination with SCADA operating technology to provide an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water that meets regulatory requirements and Denver Water internal water quality goals. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Provides routine metrics and data analytics. Comply with safety practices and policies.
• Plant Operator B: Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties necessary to operate treatment facilities and related structures. Uses physical, chemical, and biological conventional and advanced treatment techniques in combination with SCADA operating technology to provide an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water that meets regulatory requirements and Denver Water internal water quality goals. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Provides routine metrics and data analytics. Comply with safety practices and policies.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 1 year of general work experience. – Water Treatment Tech
• Minimum of two years of related work experience. – Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B
• Any equivalent combination of certifications, education, or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities for the position.

Licenses, Registration, and Certifications

• At time of hire: must possess a valid State of Colorado Water Operator Class A certification. – Plant Operator A Only
• Will be required to obtain 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification within 6 months of hire. – Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B Only
• Within 12 months of hire, the technician must possess a valid Colorado Treatment Operator Class D certification in water or wastewater. – Water Treatment Tech Only
• Must be able to possess and maintain a valid Class ‘R’ Colorado driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record at time of hire.

Safety Sensitive Requirements

• This is a safety sensitive job where an employee’s direct action/inaction may lead to immediate harm to self, team, or the public and/or will have significant risk to the mission of Denver Water. To promote the safety, employees in this job must possess English proficiency adequate to effectively communicate with customers and coworkers, including proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Respiratory Protection Testing

• This position is subject to respiratory protection testing as directed per Denver Water Physician.