Environmental Scientist (Microbiology Laboratory)

Who We Are

• One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)
• A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)
• Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements
• Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in the second most desired city to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2022)

How Will You Make an Impact?

Our Laboratory Services Department is seeking an Environmental Scientist to join the Microbiology group in performing analyses on source, drinking, power plant cooling, ground, and wastewater samples. You will have the opportunity to analyze environmental samples and interpret data for our water and wastewater treatment plants, all while working in one of our progressive laboratories. You will also work alongside a dynamic and highly skilled group of scientists whose priorities include evaluating, testing, and producing the cleanest drinking water in the region, while keeping environmental protection at the forefront of our efforts. If you have progressively responsible environmental laboratory testing and analysis experience and are excited to leverage your testing and analytic skills, this may be the opportunity for you! Some of the ways in which you will make an impact include:

• Preparing, testing, and analyzing drinking, source, and wastewater samples in compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ASTM, EPA, SM) in support of the SDWA and CWA
• Conducting enzyme substrate analyses of potable, wastewater, and source water samples to identify and enumerate the presence of Total Coliform and E. Coli
• Analyzing source water samples using the Flowcam instrument to enumerate phytoplankton and identify potentially toxic cyanobacteria
• Performing microscopy to further classify and enumerate phytoplankton
• Enumerating total coliforms or heterotrophic bacteria using pour plate method or membrane filtration
• Performing ELISA analysis of cyanotoxins in source water samples
• Providing technical expertise through developing analytical procedures and program manuals, training others in environmental testing, analysis, and instrumentation, and developing new methods and instruments for testing and analysis
• Preparing monthly quality control reports and performing instrument maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting
• Managing all physical and electronic laboratory data in accordance with Utilities’ Record Retention Policy and all State and Federal requirements. This includes management in the LIMS database, Access database, etc.

Who You Are

• Relevant and progressively responsible environmental laboratory testing and analysis experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, or a closely related field; coursework in principles of environmental microbiology, taxonomy of phytoplankton, limnology, ecology, and chemistry is highly valued
• Knowledge of standard methods and procedures for microbiological and chemical testing, and analyses of water and wastewater samples, including quality control measures
• Skill in instrumentation operation, maintenance, and development is highly valued
• Experience with SDWA and CWA plant processes is beneficial
• Knowledge of water and wastewater collection, distribution, and treatment principles
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and EPA regulations

Please note that working occasional holidays and weekends is required for this position.

The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are: 72D, 72E, 43E1, 43E2, 43E3, 43EX, 4B031, 4B051, 4B091, 4B0X1, 6460, 6463, 6465, 6467, 9631, 9684

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 do not 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 – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –10 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $10.30 a month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network preventive care covered at 100%
• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans.
• Disability Coverage –Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones
• Life Insurance –Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage are available

Curious about joining our team? Learn more at https://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/jobs/