The posting
*Applications from this recruitment may be considered for future Water Treatment Technician Limited Term Employment (LTE) positions and full-time positions.
Working for Denver Water offers a rewarding and comprehensive employment experience marked by exceptional benefits and a strong organizational culture. Employees enjoy a robust 401(k) plan with employer contributions, a secure pension fund to support long-term financial well-being, and high-quality benefits that include a generous PTO package as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage.
At the heart of Denver Water’s workplace are its core values: vision, integrity, passion, excellence, and respect. These principles guide every aspect of the organization, fostering a collaborative and purpose-driven environment where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the community and the future of water sustainability.
This is a Denver Water Limited Term position with an expected end date of 11/1/2028.
Position Summary
Water Treatment Tech
This is an entry level position. Under direct supervision, train on and perform a variety of jobs necessary for the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants and relevant structures. As a treatment technician, learn to use physical and chemical conventional water treatment techniques to become proficient at providing an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water to the public. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Uses SCADA to manage and control operations. Provides routine metrics and data analytics.
Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B
Under general supervision, perform a variety of duties essential to the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants (potable and recycled). Use physical, biological, and chemical water treatment techniques to produce finished water that meets Federal and State regulatory requirements and Denver Water’s water quality goals. May fill in or cross train for asset management as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Water Treatment Tech
All Technicians must be able to perform safety sensitive functions; provide appropriate first response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials, wear respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required. They may be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Technicians report to two or more Denver Water treatment plants. All team members perform other duties as assigned and cross train as needed. Other responsibilities include:
- Learn and become proficient at determining and changing plant flows to meet system demands. Operate necessary computer equipment to coordinate plant operations.
- Learn and become proficient at controlling quality and quantity of finished water by regulating filter operations as required. Maintain proper chemical dosages and feed equipment settings for influent and effluent plant flows.
- Learn and become proficient at performing laboratory tests on influent and effluent water such as turbidity, alkalinity and hardness, chlorine residual, ammonia residual, fluoride concentration, pH, odor, and coagulant dosage tests. Develop written operating procedures.
- May assist in training other technicians. May create and/or update SOPs and other training documents.
- Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
- Perform related duties as required.
- May be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B
- Operate multiple treatment plants including related subsystems. Monitor the treatment process from the SCADA operating network; monitor various treatment processes including, but not limited to coagulant feed, rapid mix, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control treatment. Monitor raw water and downstream finished water quality. Capable of making all process decisions for facility operations to maintain compliance with Federal and State regulations and maintaining all Denver Water Quality Goals and Targets.
- Additionally, monitor water quality by performing laboratory tests at various stages in the treatment process, calibrate laboratory equipment, compare to on-line instrumentation readings, and maintain records.
- May serve as shift ORC at a single treatment plant.
- Monitor systems for alarms, adjust, and provide appropriate response.
- Operate and maintain chlorination equipment for pre-treatment, filtration, and disinfection systems. Maintain Risk Management Program (RMP) compliance through training, proper use of PPE and annual mandatory inspection, repair and replacement of chlorination equipment and instrumentation. Must complete initial 40-hour RMP training and meet annual 8-hour RMP training requirements.
- Perform calibration of chemical feed equipment. Order chemicals and take delivery of bulk chemicals.
- Perform facility inspections of treatment processes, equipment, instrumentation, storage tanks and grounds. Make visual inspections of facility processes, equipment, instrumentation, and facility grounds.
- Perform complex plant start-ups and shutdowns, including emergency shutdowns.
- Assess project risks and develop job hazard analysis (JHA) and adhere to Denver Water’s safety practices and policies.
- May assist in training new technicians. May create and/or update SOPs and other training documents.
- Must be able to perform safety sensitive functions.
- Perform related duties as required.
- May be required to perform on-call duty, work shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as directed, and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Operate and maintain solids handling systems.
- Provide appropriate first response to emergencies and spills including those involving hazardous materials. Wear respirators including self-contained breathing apparatus as required.
The following discipline(s) fall under this job description:
- Plant Operator A: Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties necessary to operate treatment facilities and related structures. Uses physical, chemical, and biological conventional and advanced treatment techniques in combination with SCADA operating technology to provide an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water that meets regulatory requirements and Denver Water internal water quality goals. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Provides routine metrics and data analytics. Comply with safety practices and policies.
- Plant Operator B: Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties necessary to operate treatment facilities and related structures. Uses physical, chemical, and biological conventional and advanced treatment techniques in combination with SCADA operating technology to provide an adequate supply of safe, high-quality water that meets regulatory requirements and Denver Water internal water quality goals. Performs process control laboratory analyses. Provides routine metrics and data analytics. Comply with safety practices and policies.
Limited-term Employees
Limited-term positions are full-time positions with the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as regular employees under Denver Water’s Personnel Policies. The primary difference is that limited-term positions have an expected end date.
These positions are used for project-based work that is not ongoing in nature and is typically expected to last two or more years. Employees are hired for a defined period based on project needs, with the understanding that the end date may occur earlier than planned, on time, or be extended. A limited-term appointment ends when the employee’s role on the project is completed or when the position is no longer needed.
Benefits Eligibility: Limited-term employees are eligible to participate in Denver Water employee
benefits.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Minimum 1 year of general work experience. – Water Treatment Tech
- Minimum of two years of related work experience. – Plant Operator A and Plant Operator B
- Any equivalent combination of certifications, education, or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities for the position.
Licenses, Registration, and Certifications
- At time of hire: must possess a valid State of Colorado Water Operator Class B certification. – Plant Operator B Only.
- At time of hire: must possess a valid State of Colorado Water Operator Class A certification. – Plant Operator A Only.
- Within 12 months of hire, the technician must possess a valid Colorado Treatment Operator Class D certification in water or wastewater. – Water Treatment Tech Only
- Will be required to obtain 40 Hour HAZWOPER certification within 6 months of hire.
- Must be able to possess and maintain a valid Class ‘R’ Colorado driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record at time of hire.
Preferred Skills & Competencies
The Hiring Manager will be asked to review/add/remove/modify these based on the needs of the role at that time – referencing the KSAPCs.
Safety Sensitive Statement
This is a safety sensitive job where an employee’s direct action/inaction may lead to immediate harm to self, team, or the public and/or will have significant risk to the mission of Denver Water. To promote the safety, employees in this job must possess English proficiency adequate to effectively communicate with customers and coworkers, including proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Respiratory Statement
This position is subject to respiratory protection testing as directed per Denver Water Physician.
An offer of employment may be contingent upon satisfactory results of a post-offer drug test and alcohol. Denver Water tests for the following: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana (THC), opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). A strength test may also be conducted due to the physical requirements of the position. This strength test may include lifting, pushing, and pulling various amounts of weight as well as crouching, squatting, and lifting one’s own body weight from various positions. If the position is deemed safety-sensitive or requires a CDL, you will be placed on the random drug and alcohol testing list, which means you may be tested if your name is selected while employed at Denver Water.
Applicants for employment at Denver Water must be authorized to work in the U.S. Denver Water will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
