JOB
We are hiring a new Water Treatment Specialist or Plant Operator to join our incredibly talented and dedicated team plant operators! Our ideal candidate will have a CO water plant operator A certification. If you are a person that likes variety, challenges, and accomplishments, is team oriented but can work individually to deliver a common goal, this is the place for you. 2026 Salary Ranges for specific positions below DOE and certification level Water Treatment Specialist: $37.80-$49.90/hr Water Plant Operator III: $33.01-$43.58/hrWater Plant Operator II: $30.85-$40.72/hrWater Plant Operator I: $28.83-$38.06/hrCompensation & Benefits$Base hourly pay rate + shift differential pay + overtime pay11 Paid Holidays plus up to 2 Floating HolidaysGenerous Vacation & Sick LeaveHealth Insurance (Cigna or Kaiser)Dental Insurance (Delta)Vision Insurance (VSP Vision)Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance OptionsFlexible Spending PlanRetiree Health Savings PlanPension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans with up 7.6% Employer MatchMultilingual Incentive PayRecreation Center Pass for you and your immediate family membersWellness Program - Learn more hereIn-House Training OpportunitiesTuition ReimbursementEmployee Assistance ProgramThe CommunityThornton is a diverse community with a strong commitment to quality of life. The community’s location provides an ideal environment for business and recreation. Located in the Denver metropolitan area, the City of Thornton is adjacent to Westminster, Broomfield, Northglenn, Federal Heights, and Commerce City. The community’s natural setting of ridgelines, wildlife, waterways, rolling hills, and undeveloped land provide Thornton residents with amenities that contribute to a unique quality of life.The City of Thornton is the sixth largest city in Colorado. Located in the northeast quadrant of the Denver metropolitan area and comprising 37 square miles, Thornton is only 10 minutes from downtown Denver, 35 minutes from Denver International Airport (DIA) and less than 2 hours from the Breckenridge and Vail ski areas. Thornton offers convenient access to Interstate 25, Interstate 70, Interstate 76, E-470, and U.S. 36 and is serviced by the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), which provides public transportation.The Infrastructure DepartmentThe Infrastructure Department is a dedicated team of approximately 200 that provides a variety of services, including raw water rights and accounting; water treatment; water quality testing; water distribution; sanitary sewer collection; stormwater conveyance and flood control; street maintenance and snow plowing; trash and recycling collection; traffic engineering and operations; engineering services including capital project management, surveying, MS4 Program management, ArcGIS services, ROW permitting, and utility locates; and real estate/real property management. The Departments' total annual operating budget is approximately $45M, funded through various general government and enterprise funds (water, sewer, stormwater, sanitation).The PositionThe city of Thornton is seeking a Water Plant Operator/Water Treatment Specialist who represents a culture of health and is committed to providing high quality drinking water to our diverse customer base of 160,000 people and growing. Our system is also diverse, with multiple source waters including the South Platte River, Clear Creek, and a developing source on the Cache la Poudre River; two water plants; multiple pump stations; and plenty of capital improvement projects on the horizon, all making Thornton a very exciting place to work. Some job duties include: Operate one of two High Performance Water Treatment plants - Learn more here50 mgd ultrafiltration plant20 + mgd ozone/biofiltration plantMonitoring Raw, Process and Finished Water QualityAdjusting Water Treatment ChemicalsPerform Lab Bench TestsAdjusting Raw and Finished Water FlowsOrdering and Receiving ChemicalsFilter and Membrane SurveillanceRotating ShiftsUnder specified supervision, monitors water plant operations and computerized control systems, and adjusts plant-operating conditions to provide a safe and adequate treated water supply. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from level I or, when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience. Water Plant Operator I: Under immediate supervision, this is the entry-level class in the Water Plant Operator series. Incumbents entering the class are required to have little directly related work experience. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion, and changes in procedures or exceptions to rules are explained in detail as they arise. Water Plant Operator II: Under general supervision, this is the intermediate-level class in the Water Plant Operator series, which requires the appropriate Plant Operator's certification. Employees work with only occasional instruction or assistance. Water Plant Operator III: Under general supervision, this is the journey-level class in the Water Plant Operator series, which requires the appropriate Plant Operator’s certification. Employees receive minimal instruction and assistance. Incumbents assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of work assigned to this class and to work with considerable independence and initiative. The Water Plant Operator III is flexibly linked to Water Treatment Specialist.Water Treatment Specialist: Under direction, monitors water plant operations and computerized control systems and adjusts plant-operating conditions to provide a safe and adequate treated water supply.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by this position.) Conducts daily inspections and monitors operations of drinking water plant facilities and equipment. Combines various data elements to make necessary changes to achieve optimal water treatment goals and provide a safe and adequate treated water supply. Monitors and controls the water distribution system and wastewater collection system through the use of electronic and automated control systems. Observes variations in operating conditions by interpreting meter, gauge, and graph readings as well as water quality test results. Performs collection of water samples and related laboratory tests. Documents readings and results. Combines various data elements to properly gauge the quantity of treated water needed to maintain sufficient storage tank levels for uninterrupted service to customers during high demand and fire flow conditions. Monitors and records all water storage tank levels. Interprets data to properly maintain pressure zone balance in the distribution system. Calculates and maintains correct water flow (MGD) rate. Adjusts pumps and valves for plant flow conditions. Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws, local statutes, ordinances, standards and procedures related to water plant operations, and ensures compliance and implementation. Operates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system; understands the proper use of Plant Control Systems (PCS); understands function of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), remote Inputs and Outputs (I/O) and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). Interprets data, resolves errors, and performs rudimentary diagnostics. Maintains proper use of in-line process instrumentation, including turbidimeters, pH monitors, suspended solids analyzers, chlorine analyzers, sludge blanket monitors and ORP probes. Conducts instrumentation calibration, interprets data, understands deviations, makes corrections and controls processes. Responsible for the safe and proper operation of plant mechanical systems, including chemical feeders, centrifugal pumps, metering pumps, positive displacement pumps, electric motors, air blowers, mixers and air compressors. Reports any deviation from normal operation. Creates and analyzes reports utilized to maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act; maintains oversight of water quality; develops cost of service; develops future plans and budgets. Reviews engineering documents, including contract specification design reports, line drawings and construction diagrams. Performs work that requires the use of specified respiratory equipment that guards against exposure to airborne hazards. Complies with all Municipal, State, and Federal physical requirements as per Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) guidelines.Performs research on new methods and advances in water treatment through a variety of technical sources.Responds and investigates customer questions and complaints regarding perceptions of water quality, such as dirty water, taste and odor, no water, low water pressure and frozen pipes. Resolves problems or refers to proper person or department. Tracks incoming calls in daily log. Works a varying schedule and/or shift. Understands the operation and use of the various raw water sources available. May perform emergency dispatch duties for after-hours, weekends, and holidays, related to utilities emergencies such as water main breaks and sewer line backups. May be required to work overtime. Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources. Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration. As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.
