Water Operator

Want to work with great people and make a real impact? We are hiring a Water Operator to join our team and contribute to our mission of providing efficient, effective, and reliable water and wastewater utility services to the community in a manner that respects the natural environment.

This is a great role for someone who wants to gain big picture experience in water operations, working with everything from regulatory compliance to operations and maintenance of surface and ground water treatment facilities, to process optimization for both membrane and conventional filtration. So as you can imagine, an ideal candidate for this role has a wide skill set and loves daily variety. We are open to translatable skills and are willing to train- if you have some sort of mechanical maintenance or troubleshooting experience, a scientific background, and excitement about a career in water and public service, we can teach you the rest! 

Why work for us?

A job where you get to learn from experts, gain experience in a stable career, and contribute to the community- what could be better than that? Not to mention our excellent benefits, housing program (rental program, stipend, down payment assistance, and more!), and opportunities for training, certification, and development. 

The Day-to-Day: 

• Treatment Process: Performs basic water plant operations, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting. Uses SCADA to manage pumps, valves, chemical feed systems and storage tanks. Monitors and adjusts turbidity, chlorine, and fluoride levels to meet regulations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Demonstrates basic knowledge of state (CDPHE) and federal (EPA) drinking water standards. Collects regulatory water samples, conducts field analysis, and coordinates compliance testing with labs.
• Maintenance: Performs general equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Water Quality: Conducts water quality analyses, optimization studies, and lab testing. Calibrates and maintains water testing equipment and online instrumentation. Conducts QA/QC sampling and documentation.
• Teamwork & Communication: Collaborates across departments, works independently or in teams, and communicates professionally with staff and the public. Responds to customer water quality concerns. Completes administrative tasks like time entry and purchasing reconciliation.
• Safety: Follows all safety protocols, security policies, and PPE requirements.

Qualifications:

• Experience/Education: High School Diploma or GED and completion of formal training in water treatment, distribution, or management OR 6 months of mechanical maintenance experience, preferably in water or wastewater systems.
• Maintenance: Mechanical aptitude and some experience with hand tools required.
• Water Quality: Water testing or lab experience is preferrable.
• Communication & Teamwork: Strong written communication skills and professionalism. Ability to document daily logs and reports. Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Technology: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel), CMMS for work orders, GIS for maps, and office equipment like phones and copiers.
• Problem Solving: Basic math skills, ability to follow detailed instructions, and strong customer service skills.
• Licensure: Valid Colorado Driver’s License required within 30 days. Must obtain Water Treatment Operator Class D and Water Distribution Operator Class 1 licenses within 12 months. Higher levels of licensure are desired.
• Safety: Must follow safety protocols, obtain CPR/First Aid certification within 12 months, and maintain safety training.

SCHEDULE

This role will work Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (with some flexibility in start times). Must be willing to work overtime, holidays, and weekends. Must be willing to work on-call shifts in a 24-hour x 7 day rotation (compensation provided for on-call).

COMPENSATION

We encourage the growth and development of our employees! There are four levels of Water Operator with different titles and pay ranges depending on certifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The District will support you in earning your licenses. Pay range and title depend on certifications and experience. Starting range depends on qualifications but generally falls within the minimum and midpoint of the pay range. Pay ranges for each level are as follows:

• Water Operator I: $ 47 – 38.45
• Water Operator II (requires CCWP Water Treatment Operator C License): $ 28 – 42.40
• Water Operator III (requires CCWP Water Treatment Operator B License): $ 79 – 44.51
• Senior Water Operator (requires CCWP Water Treatment Operator A License): $ 8 – 51.53

We are committed to recognizing and retaining high performing employees and have performance based annual merit increases, cost of living adjustments and annual market evaluations to make sure we are paying competitively.

Benefits 

At ERWSD, we value life-work balance and are leaders in the industry with our holistic benefits package, which includes but is not limited to: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Employee housing or $479 monthly housing stipend
• Wellness program
• Retirement savings plans (414h and 457) – We are a social security exempt organization
• 5 paid holidays
• Generous paid time off program
• Paid parental leave
• Priority waitlist status at select local childcare facilities
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• $700 annual recreation benefit
• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan programs for: ski passes, electrical vehicles, and computers

Click this link to learn more and view our full 2025 Benefits Guide.