Plant Operator I - V - Water Treatment Plants

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT

The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job—someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

This is technically skilled work in the operation and maintenance of two Class A Water Treatment Facilities requiring independent working abilities on an assigned shift. It is a mandatory requirement of this position to work rotating 12-hour shifts; including nights, weekends, and holidays and at times required to be on call. The operator must demonstrate flexibility and be willing to accommodate changes in the work schedule as required, to provide vacation and general leave coverage for coworkers. The Plant Operator will receive training and instruction to learn the essential functions of a Plant Operator I–V. This is a safety sensitive position.

Qualifications

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. Starting position and pay for Plant Operators is also dependent on the applicant’s current State of Colorado Water Plant Operator’s Certificate, as follows:

• Class D License: Plant Operator I ($60,299 - $77,189)
• Class C License: Plant Operator II ($64,854 - $82,971)
• Class B License: Plant Operator III ($69,701 - $89,190)
• Class A License: Plant Operator IV ($74,942 - $95,930)
• Cross-Certification: Plant Operator V ($80,538 - $103,126)
  
  

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Public Works and Utilities Department, which maintains and enhances the safety and well-being of the community by providing exceptional water and wastewater service and maintaining the city’s extensive network of street infrastructure. The department continuously strives to meet the needs of the community by constantly focusing on customer service, efficient and effective utilization of resources, safety, innovation, and teamwork.

Every Employee Is Accountable To

• Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
• Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
• Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
• Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
• Demonstrate integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
• Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
• Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
• Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
• Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
• Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
• Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
  
  

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:

• Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
• Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
• Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
• Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
• Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
• Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
• Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
• Ability to handle sometimes-hostile consumer complaints in a pleasant manner and conduct plant tours
• Ability to communicate by telephone in a clear, calm, and professional manner with supervisors, other City departments, and the public
  
  

Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:

• Demonstrate considerable knowledge of principles and practices applied to the operation and maintenance of water treatment equipment and machinery including chemistry, hydraulics and mathematics
• Demonstrate ability to make significant, independent decisions affecting the final quality of water delivered to the consumer
• Demonstrate knowledge of safety practices common to hazardous chemicals used in the treatment of drinking water such as the nature of various oxidants, strong acids and strong bases
• Demonstrate ability to detect problems in equipment and process through test results and visual inspection; this requires a daily, thorough, operator walk-through inspection of both water treatment facilities
• Demonstrate knowledge of SCADA systems, personal computers, and Microsoft software applications for daily use in preparing reports, data management and analysis
• Demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, citizens, and other City employees
• Work alone and unsupervised on a single-person, rotating shift that includes nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call as required
• Demonstrate knowledge of and willingness to apply department policies and procedures and work safety rules and procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to operation of a Class A Water Treatment facility
  
  

Job Specific Functions

Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks7. An extremely high level of professionalism is required; system performance must be able to withstand the most intense scrutiny of periodic inspection by the CDPHE inspecting engineers during sanitary surveys

• Operate and maintain two water treatment facilities, a dual-media direct filtration facility and a micro-membrane filtration facility
• Determine appropriate facility treatment rates in relation to water consumption
• Monitor and evaluate process water quality readings via SCADA interface programs and perform water quality analyses as needed using a variety of lab equipment for the assessment of process performance
• Make necessary process adjustments to control the finished water quality of both treatment facilities
• Interpret data and make corrections or additions in plant operations to maintain standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the City of Westminster
• Responsible for the installation, calibration, on-going maintenance, record keeping and operation of up to 100 different benchtop and on-line water quality monitoring instruments including the attendant sampling systems which include:
• sample pumps
• pipelines
• valving configurations and varying types of pH meters
• turbidimeters
• chlorine analyzers
• ORP meters
• spectrophotometers
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance
  
  

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Monitor the City radio system, including after normal working hours and dispatch repair crews
• Receive external customer service phone calls regarding water service, breaks and sewer backups and dispatch appropriate field personnel, as needed
• Maintain and/or complete proper reports, i.e., log books, operations reports and lab analysis
• Monitor surveillance cameras utilized for facility security and process monitoring
• Utilize required personal protective equipment and safety apparatus
• Maintain inventories of all plant treatment chemicals
• Maintain plant and work area cleanliness
• Perform a variety of tasks related to water treatment plant operation and maintenance including but not limited to; filter maintenance, membrane CIP, chemical feed system maintenance, flushing of plant residuals, general equipment and building maintenance
• Perform/assist in small construction/installation projects related to chemical feed systems and water quality instruments
  
  

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.

Position Requirements/Working Conditions/Pre-employment Requirements

Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and Certifications

Required

• Graduation from high school or completion of GED
• Class D Colorado Water Plant Operator’s certification or higher, with the ability to eventually advance to a Class A certification
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft software packages
• Must report to work for scheduled shift, on time, including during inclement weather
• Safety sensitive positions are subject to random drug and alcohol testing
  
  

Preferred:

• Class C, B, or A Colorado Water Plant Operator’s certificate
• Two (2) years of experience in water plant operation or related field
• Associate’s degree or higher in water/wastewater treatment, or related sciences
• Experience as a tradesperson (electrician, plumber, etc.)
• Knowledge of CPR/first aid
• Possess a valid driver’s license, provide proof of a safe driving record, and maintain a safe driving record while employed by the City
  
  

Incumbent Will Progress From Plant Operator I–IV Upon The Receipt Of Proper Colorado Water Plant Operator’s Certification As Follows

• Class D: Plant Operator I
• Class C: Plant Operator II
• Class B: Plant Operator III
• Class A: Plant Operator IV
  
  

Incumbent will progress to Plant Operator V when the following requirements are met:

• Current Operator IV job classification in good standing, including A water treatment license in the state of Colorado
• Minimum one (1) year of continuous employment as a Class A water treatment operator with the City of Westminster
• Cross certificate in a related discipline, as deemed appropriate and approved by the Utilities Division Manager Special projects requiring advanced water treatment knowledge/experience:
• Pilot plants (if applicable)
• Willingness and ability to train new operations staff, using the operations training manual
• May be asked to register as a backup operator in responsible charge (ORC) with the CDPHE
  
  

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered. (No certification will result in a Trainee status)

Physical Requirements

This position is physical in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength to:

• Constantly sit, stand, and walk through a multilevel water/wastewater treatment facility
• Occasionally squat, bend, and kneel to perform inspections and repairs; occasionally crawl through confined spaces, climb ladders up to twenty-four (24) feet and balance at various heights; occasionally reach overhead and below shoulder to perform inspections and repairs; frequent twisting to operate valves and move equipment
• Frequent light/firm grasp, fine manipulation and handling to perform daily office tasks and equipment repair and maintenance
• Frequent step up/down and actuate mechanism to safely enter, exit, and operate vehicles and equipment
• Normal near and far acuity and hearing are needed to identify potential mechanical problems and hazards
• Constantly lift and carry twenty (20) pounds 200 yards to move supplies and equipment to work area; occasionally lift and carry up to 100 pounds up to ten (10) feet to move chemical bags and other supplies to work area; occasionally push/pull up to 120 pounds with the use of a dolly or pallet jacks to store chemicals and heavier equipment
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is constantly performed indoors and outdoors with occasional exposure to extreme temperatures during a mandatory twelve-hour shift. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works near moving mechanical parts and high-speed rotating equipment; work can be performed in high and precarious places with exposure to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles.

Required Materials And Equipment

Will operate light equipment and machinery used in water treatment operations, such as: pallet jacks, fork-lifts, a variety of water pumps, water quality instruments, related lab equipment, chemical pumps, large volumes of highly caustic/acidic chemicals, high voltage electrical switches and general hand and power tools used in water facility maintenance. Personal computers and keyboards, telephones, and other basic office equipment.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Background check including employment references, criminal history, and driving record review
• Drug screen
• Physical
• Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
  
  

The City of Westminster, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health and Dental
• Flexible Spending
• Pension/Retirement Plans
• Term Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Survivor Benefits
• Wellness Program
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, and on the job injury
  
  

For a more detailed overview of our General Non Exempt employee benefit package:

Benefit Package

The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system. In lieu of Social Security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.

401(a) Contribution Rates

Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11.5% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.

Employer Contribution: 12% of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule

• Less than 3 years - 0%
• 3 to 4 years - 60%
• 4 to 5 years - 80%
• Over 5 years - 100%
• For employees age 55 and older, the employer contributions are 100% vested
  
  

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

01

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Do you have two (2) years of experience in water plant operation, or a related field?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

If you answered yes to having two (2) years of experience in water plant operation or a related field, please describe the type and length of your experience. If you answered no, please respond N/A.

04

Do you possess a Class D Colorado Water Plant Operator's Certification or higher?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

If you answered yes to having a Class D Colorado Water Plant Operator's certification or higher, please indicate which certification you possess. If you answered no, please respond with N/A.

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• N/A
  
  

06

Do you have an Associate's Degree or higher in Water/Wastewater treatment, or a related field?

07

If you answered yes to having an Associate's Degree or higher in Water/Wastewater treatment, or related field, please briefly describe your education and degree. If you answered no, please respond with N/A.

08

Please indicate any certifications you have in First Aid or CPR.

• First Aid
• CPR
• Both
• None
  
  

09

Do you have experience working in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook?

• Yes
• No
  
  

10

This position requires rotating 12-hour shift work, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Are you willing and able to work this type of schedule?

• Yes
• No
  
  

11

Please describe any experience you have in the trades (electric, plumbing, HVAC, mechanical, fabrication, etc.). If none, please respond with N/A.

12

Do you have a current valid driver's license and safe driving record?

• Yes
• No
  
  

13

Have seven (7) or more points been assessed against your driving record in the last three (3) years?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question