Lead Plant Operator - Boyd Lake Water Treatment Plant

Full Salary Range:                         $38.85 - $52.45 Hourly

Anticipated Salary Range:          $38.85 - $45.65 Hourly

Benefits: This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here. 

Job Summary: 

The City of Greeley is seeking a Lead Operator for the Boyd Lake Water Treatment Plant, which is a 38 MGD direct filtration plant in Loveland, Colorado.  The Lead Operator will report directly to the Boyd Lake Superintendent. The Lead Operator has both supervisory and technical responsibilities. The Lead Operator works with the team to operate, maintain, and optimize all aspects of the plant.  This plant is unique in that it operates seasonally, generally April through October. During the offseason all staff will work day-shift on maintenance projects and preventative maintenance on various equipment in the plant and throughout the water system.

As an employer of choice, the City of Greeley offers medical (FSA and HSA plans), dental, vision, disability, life insurance, Roth IRA/457/401(k) with a company match up to 6%, generous paid time off program, 13 paid holidays (holiday bank if required to work on a holiday), plus 1 personal day per year, employee clinic in Greeley, wellness program, employee assistance program, and a variety of optional voluntary programs such as a legal plan and pet insurance.

This position will remain open until it is filled.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills: 

Minimum Requirements 

•    Valid and current driver’s license. 
•    High school diploma or equivalent.
•    At least four (4) years of experience in operation of a water treatment plant.
•    Additional training in water treatment technology and principles, chemistry, and environmental science.
•    State of Colorado Water Class “A” Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification.
•    Experience completing and filing monthly reports with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
•    At least one (1) year of team leader or supervisory experience leading teams. 
•    Must be able to share on call duties with the Plant Superintendent for emergencies including nights, weekends, and holidays.
•    A combination of education, experience, licensure, or certification that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job may be                      considered by the hiring authority.

Preferred 

•    At least five (5) years of water treatment experience.
•    At least two (2) years of a team leader or supervisory experience leading teams.
•    Knowledge of and experience using CityWorks or similar work management system.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•    Ability to learn on-the-job training of processes and procedures. 
•    Ability to quickly and accurately read and interpret plans and specifications of moderate complexity.
•    Knowledge of state-of-the-art equipment including SCADA system.
•    Ability to solve a variety of problems in situations where only limited standardization exists.
•    Mechanical aptitude to assess equipment failures.
•    Knowledge of associated safety issues related to Water Treatment Plant operations.
•    Knowledge of the business and organizational structure of Colorado municipalities.
•    Computer skills, including the ability to utilize Microsoft Office programs (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.), CityWorks or similar work management system, and ability       to learn new software and systems.
•    Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and teamwork between others
•    Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and                details accurately and clearly.
•    Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple concurrent and competing tasks and responsibilities, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining personal                     effectiveness.
•    Organizational skills, including the ability to set and meet goals and deadlines, manage appointments, create schedules, coordinate, and facilitate meetings, and make              decisions. 
•    Ability to focus on activities that have the greatest impact on meeting work commitments, meeting deadlines, and stay on task when completing special projects and daily      assignments.
•    Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with a team from different areas and backgrounds to        achieve desired results.
•    Ability to maintain a strong work ethic, positive problem-solving attitude, and enthusiasm for the work performed.
•    Ability to self-start and take initiative in completing daily tasks and special projects.
•    Ability to establish and maintain partnerships with a variety of internal and external constituencies.
•    Ability to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages
•    Ability to navigate a complex political environment.
•    Knowledge of employee management principles and best practices.
•    Knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management principles and best practices.
•    Employee management skills, supervision, and team building skills, including the ability to train and coach others, communicate effectively, manage conflict, reward good         behavior, and establish and maintain accountability. 
•    Conflict management skills, including the ability to remain impartial, get disparate and adverse parties to reach consensus, and negotiate amicable resolutions to maintain      cohesion and cooperation.
•    Ability to influence changes through a collaborative and inclusive style.
•    Ability to lead and motivate others, including those who may be outside your immediate sphere of influence. 

Essential Functions: 

•    Communicates face to face, by telephone, and other electronic means.
•    Performs daily record keeping, water quality sampling, and routine laboratory analyses.
•    Makes mathematical calculations that apply to treatment.
•    Prepares routine reports or correspondence.
•    Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other departments, and the public.
•    Schedules project activities on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis depending on the complexity of the project.  
•    Communicates diplomatically and effectively with state and federal agencies, coworkers, private industry representatives, technical consultants, and the public. 
•    Investigates complaints regarding all operational activities and handles difficult situations with patience and good judgment under stressful conditions. 
•    Articulates information concerning operational interpretation and planned objectives. 
•    Elevates issues of any deficiencies in the system. 
•    Solves a variety of problems in situations where there are substantially diversified procedures, specialized standards, and only limited standardization. 
•    Develops solutions when changing priorities or differing situations require consideration of which among many procedures should be followed in what sequence to                   achieve the required job results. 
•    Requires reasoning to produce a practical course of action within the established process. Choices fall within the range of specified, acceptable standards, alternatives, and      technical practices. Example(s): If a change is required that needs upper management approval before starting/completion of a project; work with Project Manager, Asset          Manager, Superintendents, employees, as well as other departments to ensure proper operations and procedures are being followed.
•   Utilizes a variety of computer programs and databases during daily duties. 
•    Analyzes data and creates reports to aid in the evaluation of data and trends.
•    Interprets water quality/quantity data and makes appropriate adjustments.
•    Administers performance appraisals and approves timecards for staff.
•    Plans, organizes, supervises, and schedules resources to meet program and service goals.
•    Takes an active role in helping with interviewing, selecting, hiring, training, and evaluating staff.
•    Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

•    Exemplifies and promotes City of Greeley values.
•    Leadership skills, including the ability to effectively manage various personalities and persuade others to take courses of action.
•    Organizes and delegates assignments to team members.
•    Hires, trains, motivates, and coaches employees.
•    Evaluates employee performance and assists in setting goals.
•    Holds employees accountable for assigned tasks and goals.
•    Provides timely and constructive feedback. 
•    Provides training opportunities with a focus on employee development.
•    Provides proper documentation for human resource actions.
•    Resolves conflicts and complaints.
•    Analyzes information and processes and developing more effective or efficient processes.
•    Establishes and achieves business and financial objectives.
•    Ensures compliance with safety procedures.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: 

•    Possible exposure to hazardous chemicals & gases, including gaseous chlorine.
•    Work in a variety of weather conditions.
•    May drive a dump truck and front loader on site of the Plant grounds.
•    Exposure to high noise levels, fumes or particles, risk of electrical shock.
•    Clear vision to read and interpret written reports and control room gauges.
•    Frequent walking and standing to monitor control room and treatment plant operations. 
•    Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
•    Communication skills sufficient enough to convey information to Supervisor, the public, or other employees.
•    Ability to remain in a standing/walking position for long periods of time.
•    Ability to move items weighing up to 50 pounds and make repetitive motions.
•    Ability to work at heights greater than 10 feet; able to climb and work while on a ladder.
•    Manual dexterity sufficient enough to operate tools, vehicles, and equipment.
•    Flexibility to bend, twist and reach objects at all body levels, including overhead.
•    Possible confined space entry.
•    Potential hazards exist in the form of slips, trips, falls, electrical shock, drowning, bloodborne pathogens biohazards, noise, chemical inhalation/ingestion.
     o    Example(s): Mobility to inspect work sites for compliance with plans and specifications and move over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; may include light to moderate              physical effort that includes stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling; frequent sanding or walking: frequently lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds. Use of light hand              tools such as probe rods, levels, manhole lifting tools, etc. 
•    Potential exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals used in water treatment.
•    Works flexible hours, including on call, including weekends, holidays, and other shift/times when work demands it.
•    Required to share on call duties with the Plant Superintendent for emergencies including nights, weekends, and holidays.
•    Frequent interruptions; and required to manage competing priorities with inflexible deadlines.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.