Water/Wastewater Operator
The City of Gunnison is seeking a skilled and motivated Water/Wastewater Operator to join our Public Works team and play a critical role in protecting public health and maintaining reliable water and wastewater services. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands on work, problem solving, and working with both sophisticated treatment systems and laboratory processes. The Water/Wastewater Operator will operate and monitor wastewater treatment processes, collect and analyze water and wastewater samples, perform complex laboratory testing, maintain detailed operational records, and help ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. The position also works with pumps, motors, valves, SCADA systems, instrumentation, and other specialized equipment while responding to plant alarms, emergencies, and operational challenges. This is an opportunity to build a rewarding career in the water and wastewater field with opportunities to advance through operator classifications and certifications. Successful candidates will develop expertise in treatment processes, laboratory testing, regulatory monitoring, equipment operation, and process control while working as part of a team that provides an essential service to the Gunnison community. The position requires strong communication, problem solving, teamwork, and a commitment to safety, along with the ability to work outdoors, in confined spaces, and around treatment chemicals and equipment. If you are looking for meaningful work where your skills directly contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life of the community, we encourage you to apply.
Starting Salary Ranges: Worker $56,200-$69,267 Class "D" $59,200-$72,943 Class "C" $65,100-$80,300 Class "B" $71,700-$88,367 Class "A" $78,800-$97,200
Examples of Duties and Qualifications
General Purpose: Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and leading all laboratory testing on water and wastewater systems. Performs complex physical, chemical, and biological laboratory testing procedures to ensure adequate treatment of wastewater and water. Responsible for water & wastewater sampling, analysis, and record keeping. Performs technical tasks related to the operation, maintenance, repair, and security of the wastewater treatment plant including equipment, vehicles, grounds, and laboratory. Ensure public health and safety through the wastewater treatment processes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The City reserves the right to modify or change duties or essential functions of this job at any time.
Daily operation and monitoring of wastewater treatment and laboratory processes.
Complete safety training courses for applicable job duties.
Data collection and documentation of equipment run times, flows, and lab tests.
Maintain digital and hard copy databases on plant and lab operational data.
Assist in the operation and maintenance of pumps, VFD's, motors, and other specialized equipment to maintain the proper functionality of the treatment processes.
Collect any required samples throughout the treatment process or in the community.
Maintain, repair, and service operational equipment through periodic greasing and oil changes. Plant equipment includes pumps, valves, motors, manual and automated bar screens, lift stations, dewatering and HVAC systems.
Respond to and resolve public complaints and inquiries; investigate complaints; document findings and recommendations.
Maintain access and cleanliness of facilities and grounds.
Respond to On-Call emergencies and alarms as well as other related duties not specifically listed.
Ability to attain a Class B Commercial Driver's License within one year.
Assists in snow removal operations and assists other departments as required.
Participate in the on-call rotation, covering the water and wastewater departments.
Wastewater Operator Responsibilities: This position will focus on wastewater and laboratory operations, with the expectation of cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.
Ability to develop and apply a working understanding of laboratory and process control functions, including TSS, TDS, BOD, and pH testing; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; operational principles of valves, pumps, motors, and instrumentation; sampling methods and techniques; safe work practices; and departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Operate a wide variety of heavy equipment including backhoes, dump trucks, front-end loaders, skid steers, and other related equipment.
Ability to work in confined spaces after required training is completed.
Work with chemical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems safely.
Maintain digital and hard copy databases on plant operational data.
Demonstrate public relations and customer service skills with the public.
The ability to follow written and verbal instructions given by supervisors.
Respond to and aide in various emergency situations.
Ability to facilitate regulatory monitoring and testing required by CDPHE.
Make adjustments to the wastewater treatment process under the direction of the Wastewater Superintendent or Foreman.
Ability to troubleshoot and analyze the treatment process and make appropriate adjustments as per the direction of the Wastewater Superintendent or Foreman.
Ability to lead and train others in: treatment processes and equipment operation.
Ability to oversee and lead crew in emergent situations. Ensure that all City affairs are within CDPHE Compliance for their respective PWSID/DMR
Effectively collaborate with team to accomplish variety of treatment and operational challenges.
Ability to effectively communicate well verbally and in writing. Presentations to co-workers and community on treatment processes and projects.
Respond to difficult and sensitive situations in the absence of the Superintendent or Foreman.
Aid in departmental budgeting, planning and capital improvement processes within the department
Laboratory Technician Responsibilities: This position will focus on laboratory and wastewater operations, with the expectation of cross-training with the Water and Streets departments for on-call duties.
Performs specialized and complex physical, biological, and bacteriological tests and analyses of raw, partially treated and treated wastewater to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of plant processes, including complete preparation and quality control for regular and special samples.
Collects samples of wastewater and by-products at various stages of processing for analysis and testing.
Performs mathematical calculations using standard methods to quantify laboratory test results.
Responds to plant malfunctions and emergency situations and takes corrective actions to correct or control plant operations and processes.
Demonstrate public relations and customer service skills with the public.
The ability to follow written and verbal instructions given by supervisors.
Ability to facilitate regulatory monitoring and testing required by CDPHE.
Maintain digital and hard copy databases on laboratory testing results.
Prepares and completes various local, state, and federal reports related to testing procedures, results, and recommendations.
Maintains the cleanliness of the laboratory and the related equipment.
Work with the Finance department for monthly customer billing on testing and compost sales.
Assists in performing plant operation duties as required.
Job Progression and Licensing Requirements per Operator Level Classification: Employees advance through the classifications shown below based on wastewater treatment or collections certification obtained through CDPHE and applicable experience. Eligibility for Class D, C, B, and A wastewater treatment certifications generally requires one, two, three, and four years of qualifying experience, respectively. A bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry may substitute for up to two years of required experience. All operators regardless of classification will be expected to reasonably pursue other certifications within their listed classification in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collections and wastewater treatment not currently in possession of or obtained within their associated job classification as listed above.
ClassificationCertificationMinimum ExperienceKey Competencies
Systems WorkerAbility to obtain Class D Treatment or Level 1 Collections license and Class B CDL within 1 yearEntry-levelFollow instructions; learn basic system operations and safe work practices
Class D OperatorClass D Treatment or Level 1 Collections1 year*Operate equipment; respond to emergencies; provide effective customer service
Class C OperatorClass C Treatment or Level 2 Collections2 years*Perform regulatory testing and monitoring; assist with process adjustments and operator training
Class B OperatorClass B Treatment or Level 3 Collections3 years*Troubleshoot SCADA and treatment processes; make process adjustments; lead and train staff; demonstrate proficiency in SOPs, sampling, and safe work practices
Class A OperatorClass A Treatment or Level 4 Collections4 years*Ensure regulatory compliance; manage and train teams; oversee complex treatment processes; assist with budgeting and planning; handle sensitive issues in the Chief Operator's absence
All operators are expected to keep their associated licenses current without lapsing, including the required Class B Commercial Driver's