What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Operator (Water Reclamation) position at City of Fort Collins?
Position Title
Water Operator (Water Reclamation) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #:
req8315
Department
Ut Wtr Reclama & Biosolids Div
LOCATION:
WASTEWATER PLANT # 2 ADMIN
Benefit Category
Classified (Non-CBU)
View Classified Benefit Highlights
Employment Type
Full-Time Regular
Flsa Status
Non-Exempt
Annual Salary Range
$66,875.00 - 93,305.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
Annual Anticipated Hiring Range
This is a step level position and the salary for the selected candidate will fall within the range above depending on experience and certifications.
Selection Process
Application deadline is
3:00 p.m. MT on 4/28/2026
You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-offer background check, motor vehicle report (MVR), and Post Offer Employment (P.O.E.T) required
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is seeking a motivated Water Operator (Water Reclamation) to join our Wastewater Treatment team. The Water Operator (Water Reclamation) is responsible for ensuring our plant's efficient and safe operation. This position is suitable for individuals who thrive in a dynamic and diverse work environment. As a journey trade, the Water Operator (Water Reclamation) combines technical expertise with practical skills to effectively manage biological treatment processes.
The Operator plays a pivotal role in maintaining water quality, protecting public health, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to problem-solve, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. If you're interested in joining our experienced team to contribute to providing clean, safe, and reliable water to our community by leveraging your background in wastewater treatment, please apply now!
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
No
City Competencies
Minimum Preferred
High School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Experience Requirements
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
Water Operator
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Water Operator (Water Reclamation) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #:
req8315
Department
Ut Wtr Reclama & Biosolids Div
LOCATION:
WASTEWATER PLANT # 2 ADMIN
Benefit Category
Classified (Non-CBU)
View Classified Benefit Highlights
Employment Type
Full-Time Regular
Flsa Status
Non-Exempt
Annual Salary Range
$66,875.00 - 93,305.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
Annual Anticipated Hiring Range
This is a step level position and the salary for the selected candidate will fall within the range above depending on experience and certifications.
Selection Process
Application deadline is
3:00 p.m. MT on 4/28/2026
You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-offer background check, motor vehicle report (MVR), and Post Offer Employment (P.O.E.T) required
- (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
- Retirement company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
- Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
- Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Wellness program, workout facilities
- Employee/family onsite health clinic
- Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
- Collaborative work environment
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins is seeking a motivated Water Operator (Water Reclamation) to join our Wastewater Treatment team. The Water Operator (Water Reclamation) is responsible for ensuring our plant's efficient and safe operation. This position is suitable for individuals who thrive in a dynamic and diverse work environment. As a journey trade, the Water Operator (Water Reclamation) combines technical expertise with practical skills to effectively manage biological treatment processes.
The Operator plays a pivotal role in maintaining water quality, protecting public health, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to problem-solve, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. If you're interested in joining our experienced team to contribute to providing clean, safe, and reliable water to our community by leveraging your background in wastewater treatment, please apply now!
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Operates, monitors, and maintains plant processes such as plant flow control, water treatment processes, wastewater processes, biosolids, biological treatment, filtration, and effluent processing.
- Monitors on-line analytical equipment, takes samples, performs laboratory analyses, reports results, and makes adjustments to processes.
- Maintains records for State quality monitoring, State and Federal standards, and records of plant operations.
- Handles chemicals such as chlorine, ferric chloride, magnesium chloride, and polymers
- Coordinates responses to alarms and emergencies at facilities.
- Inspects and maintains process instrumentation and equipment.
- Writes standards operating procedures of plant processes.
- May assist in the design and implementation of new systems and processes.
- May provide training for crew members.
No
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
- Knowledge of state and local water quality standards and biosolids regulations.
- Ability to obtain Level A water/wastewater treatment operators certification within 66 months of hire date.
- Must maintain a Class A water/wastewater certification once achieved.
- Ability to handle hazardous materials in a safe manner.
- Ability to interpret and apply City policies and safety regulations.
- Ability to read blue prints and schematics.
- Ability to interface effectively with City staff and the general public.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to use Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Maximo Computerized Maintenance Management System ("CMMS").
- Ability to work in a high functioning team environment.
Minimum Preferred
High School Diploma or GED and or functionally related licenses or certificates High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Experience Requirements
- Entry level operators required to have "D" operator's license or ability to obtain within six months of hire; Journey level operators require "A" operator's license within 66 months of hire date.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
- Valid driver's license, Confined Space Entry Certification, Colorado Class D through A Water or Wastewater Operators Certification., Forklift Certification, Lock out/Tag out Certification, CPR/First Aid Certification, SCBA training and certification, EMS 14001 Awareness training NIMS 100 NIMS 700 Hazardous Materials Technician Level Certification or ability to get within 1 year of hire.
Water Operator
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
BACKGROUND CHECK AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT REQUIRED. (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Salary : $66,875 - $93,305