SPR Wastewater Plant Operator In Training/D/C/B/A

POSITION SUMMARY

At South Platte Renew (SPR) operators have a chance to work with a variety of processes and new technologies from renewable natural gas, UV disinfection, to process optimization and research alongside SPR’s Engineering team. Operators work either day, swing or night shift and have the opportunity to bid for their preferred shift every 6 months. Shift differential is provided for operators working a swing or night shift. Every operator has a rugged use laptop to have in the field to help diagnose issues and make process changes on the fly. The days are dynamic with optimization, training, team building, and opportunities to run projects and be a part of larger interdepartmental initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The listed examples of work are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They may be modified with additions, deletions, or changes as necessary.

Works under the direction of the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) in accordance with the SPR Written Operating Plan as appropriate to their level of certification, including but not limited to the following:

 Essential Duties:

• Adheres to the requirements in the most current and applicable version of City of Englewood Administrative Policy Manual and/or the Englewood Employees Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Maintains satisfactory and harmonious relationships with the public and other employees; exhibits a high degree of professionalism, initiative, & tact on an ongoing and continual basis.
• Under the direct supervision of a certified operator and ORC, trains on wastewater treatment processes; including tank levels, chemical feed rates and concentrations, water quality parameters, air and water flow, pumps, blowers, & valve configurations.
• Under the direct supervision of a certified operator, collects routine data as needed, communicates anomalies to a certified operator or Operations Supervisors.
• Trains to identify the need for basic troubleshooting of plant equipment and treatment processes and reports process and equipment status and any emergency and major malfunctions to a certified operator or Operations Supervisor.
• Maintains supplies and equipment used in sampling.
• Trains on various field tests on samples using field test kits to monitor biological and chemical concentrations, such as TSS, DO, pH, Temperature, Alkalinity.
• Performs cleanup and housekeeping of work areas, equipment, and buildings using standard cleaning equipment and materials and cleaning procedures.
• Participates in safety, equipment, and process training to learn about safe chemical handling, safe equipment operation, process and equipment troubleshooting and to improve wastewater certification.
• Reports or corrects unsafe or unhealthful workplace conditions or hazards, understands and complies with applicable safety, security and emergency response policies and procedures, and models safe conduct.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Works towards Wastewater certification license through continuing education training units (TU’s), short schools, or formal education programs.
• Assists in snow removal when needed.
• Attends trainings as required by the City of Englewood.
• Assists with special projects or committees, and performs other duties as assigned.
• Timely completion of time cards and required safety training.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• See Addition Skills and Knowledge.
• High School Diploma and GED required.
• Associates degree in, or working towards a degree in Water Quality Management, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or related field preferred.
• Strong mechanical background and aptitude.
• Must maintain a clean driving record and current State of Colorado driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

Advanced working knowledge of:

• Wastewater treatment plant operations
• SCADA applications
• Industrial machinery, equipment, and processes
• Relationships and dynamics of treatment process flow and physical characteristics
• Biological and chemical processes and reactions
• Mechanical and electronic systems
• Distribution and collection systems
• Industrial machinery capabilities and capacity
• Regulatory application and operating requirements
• Facility design and review
• Chemistry and biology practices and principles
• Laboratory procedures and processes including equipment operation and sampling methodology
• Applications software for Windows environment, Microsoft Office preferred

 Skills and Abilities

• Computer Skills - Advanced computer skills required to work in a high technology environment.
• Communication Skills - Advanced customer service skills required to interact with other departments and staff.  Also required to be able to provide direction and guide employees.
• Analytical Skills - Advanced analytical skills required to diagnose, troubleshoot, and/or adjust processes or machinery performance in response to routine and emergency situations. Requires interpretive analysis of large data sets.
• Mechanical Skills - Intermediate mechanical skills required to understand design and operation of mechanical systems.
• Project Management Skills - Advanced project management skills required for the planning and organizing of projects.
• General Management Skills - Advanced management skills required for budget management.  Also required for policy and procedure development and administration.
• Mathematical Skills - Advanced mathematical skills required to perform algebra and geometry. 

ADDTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Wastewater Operator in Training

• High School Diploma or GED
• Adheres to COE Administrative and EEA Collective Bargaining Agreement Policy; maintains satisfactory and harmonious relationships with coworkers.
• Trains on wastewater activities, including SCADA monitoring, safety, water quality sampling and monitoring techniques, lab analysis, instrument verification and calibration, monitoring and maintaining equipment.

Wastewater Operator D

• "D" Wastewater License
• 6 months prior work experience, successful completion of SPR operator training.
• Must have met job proficiency expectations of a Wastewater Operator in Training, as defined by all three Operations Supervisors, Plant ORC (Operations Manager), and SPR Director. Must be “on track” in job duties over the previous six months.
• In addition to meeting requirements of the wastewater trainee, the Wastewater Operator D monitors wastewater activities, including SCADA monitoring, safety, water quality sampling and monitoring, lab analysis, instrument verification and calibration, monitoring and maintaining equipment.
• Able to identify and communicate process and equipment anomalies to the Operations Supervisors.

Wastewater Operator C

• "C" Wastewater License
• Minimum 6 months experience as a Wastewater Operator D. Minimum 1 year of experience in a wastewater utility.
• Must have met job proficiency expectations of a Wastewater Operator D, as defined by all three Operations Supervisors, Plant ORC (Operations Manager), and SPR Director. Must be “on track” in job duties over the previous six months.
• In addition to performing the duties of a Wastewater Operator D, the Wastewater Operator C monitors and interprets wastewater activities, including SCADA monitoring, safety, water quality sampling and monitoring, lab analysis, instrument verification and calibration, monitoring and maintaining equipment.

Wastewater Operator B

• "B" Wastewater License
• Minimum 1-year experience as a Wastewater Operator C. Minimum 2 years of experience in a wastewater utility.
• Must have met job proficiency expectations of a Wastewater Operator C, as defined by all three Operations Supervisors, Plant ORC (Operations Manager), and SPR Director. Must be “on track” in job duties over the previous six months.
• In addition to performing the duties of a Wastewater Operator C, the Wastewater Operator B monitors, interprets, and troubleshoots wastewater activities, including SCADA monitoring, safety, water quality sampling and monitoring, lab analysis, instrument verification and calibration, monitoring and maintaining equipment.

Wastewater Operator A

• "A" Wastewater License
• Minimum 1-year experience as a Wastewater Operator B. Minimum 3 years’ experience in wastewater industry (four years preferred).
• Must hold a certificate in Wastewater Management, Water Quality Management, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, or related field.
• Must have met job proficiency expectations of a Wastewater Operator B, as defined by all three Operations Supervisors, Plant ORC (Operations Manager), and SPR Director. Must be “on track” in job duties over the previous six months.
• Functions as a lead operator, acts as Operations Supervisor in the absence of an Operations Supervisor. Demonstrates a high degree of leadership acumen, including a high level of emotional intelligence; coaches, mentors, trains, and develops trainees and apprentice operators on technical competencies and behaviors; possesses strong collaboration and communication skills; acts as a subject matter expert on the operations and maintenance of the SPWRP treatment plant. Working with Operations Supervisors and the plant ORC, recommends changes to SOP’s and workflow; suggests workflow improvements and efficiencies where applicable.

Note: The goal of SPR is to employ certified operators. All employees are required to pass their D Certification within 6 months of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires sitting, walking, carrying, lifting, kneeling, bending, reaching, and squatting. May be required to lift up to 75 pounds. Major activities are performed on level, slippery, sloping, unstable and uneven terrain in a variety of weather conditions. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, heights, temperature swings, constant noise, mechanical and electrical hazards, fumes, odors, & chemicals. Work is performed in an office, outside, and in an industrial environment. SHIFT REQUIREMENTS: This position is subject to shift work. Occasional after hours on-call, nights, weekends, or holiday work may be required.

HOURLY RANGES

• Operator-in-Training - $19.75-$29.62/hourly rate
• Operator D - $22.31-$33.47/hourly rate
• Operator C - $25.21-$37.82/hourly rate
• Operator B - $28.49-$42.74/hourly rate
• Operator A - $32.19-$48.29/hourly rate

Signing bonuses are available for qualified candidates.

Certification pay is awarded on an annual basis depending on the level of Wastewater Certification held by the employee:

• Operator D - $500/annually
• Operator C - $1,000/annually
• Operator B - $2,000/annually
• Operator A - $3,000/annually

BENEFITS

The City of Englewood provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision options.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

May 1st, 2025

Salary : $500 - $3,000