Water Treatment Plant Operator

The City of Bozeman is now accepting applications for a Water Treatment Plant Operator to support our Utilities Team.  You’ll play a vital role in delivering award-winning drinking water to our community by operating the chemical feed, membrane racks, and disinfection systems

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by joining the City of Bozeman! You will be part of a passionate team driving positive change while enjoying a fantastic benefits package. Full-time City of Bozeman employees receive top-tier benefits including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 holidays, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, potential for bilingual pay, excellent retirement options, comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, discounted ski tickets and gym memberships, and much more!

Training schedule: Monday - Thursday, 7:00am - 5:00pm. 

• Repairs or rebuilds City equipment as necessary, including pumps, electric motors, boilers, compressors, valves, lawn mowers, and other related equipment.
• Performs a variety of preventative and corrective maintenance on plant vehicles, plows, mowers, light duty equipment, and production equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation, including inspecting, lubricating, and servicing according to prescribed schedules.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of preventative and corrective maintenance work performed.
• Inspects equipment and reports any failures or operating difficulties, including initiating work orders and recommended repairs.
• Climbs water tanks and enters vaults while using appropriate safety equipment.
• Utilizes City vehicles to perform general duties for the Division.
• Collects and conducts tests on raw, potable, and wastewater samples in accordance with EPA approved lab procedures and submits data to the DEQ and EPA.
• Performs maintenance on membrane modules, valves, and associated equipment.
• Assists in administering the implementation, collection, testing, and record keeping for Federal and State drinking water and Clean Water Act regulations.
• Inspects and maintains reservoirs and intakes.
• Actively monitors Plant operations to ensure all processes are conducted in a safe and efficient manner, and in compliance with State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Adjusts City’s water intakes according to applicable water rights.
• Initiates routine operational and unit records and prepares, calculates, and summarizes results.
• Troubleshoots, calibrates, and maintains electrical, electronic, and other quality control equipment as necessary.
• Provides effective public education on the source and quality of the City’s drinking water, including conducting tours to interested individuals, and providing information to the general public, local civic organizations, and other interested parties as requested.
• Ensures all chemicals are handled in a safe and proper manner.
• Stays current on CEC credits for appropriate certifications as required.
• Operates and maintains related computer and peripheral equipment and databases.
• Maintains the interior and exterior of the Treatment Plant in a clean and orderly manner to ensure a safe work environment for City employees and the general public.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

• Associate’s Degree in Water Quality Technology, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field; and
• Some (1-3 years) experience in water treatment plant, lab work, or water analysis; or
• Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• Must possess a current valid Driver’s License and have the ability to obtain a Montana Driver’s License within 60 days of employment.
• Must pass a Class 1 Certified Water Operation Certification Test within one year of hire and must obtain the certification within two years of hire.

• Some knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the overall functions, duties, and responsibilities of assigned Division.
• Some knowledge of water chemistry and the effects of various chemicals on pH.
• Some knowledge of and ability to perform corrective and preventative maintenance on mechanical or electrical equipment.
• Some knowledge of mathematics, physics, and fluid flow to ensure accurate and efficient measurements and calculations.
• Some knowledge of related electrical and electronics principles and troubleshooting techniques.
• Some knowledge of the principles of membrane filtration and how membranes work.
• Ability to quickly learn Federal, State, and City safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment in times of adverse conditions.
• Ability to analyze mathematical and physical data in an efficient and precise manner.
• Ability to collect, test, and analyze water samples.
• Ability to work all shifts.
• Ability to handle and work with hazardous chemicals and high voltage electricity in a safe and proper manner.
• Ability to analyze chemical data and make logical and appropriate process adjustments based on the results.
• Ability to use situational awareness in performance of assigned tasks.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned supervisors, other City employees, and the general public.    
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions completely.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Demonstrates integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness and the use of the appropriate levels of discretion in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of the conditional offer process including, but not limited to a criminal background check, thorough reference checks, general internet search, and a driving record history check.