Wastewater Plant Operator

Our Public Works Department is looking for a Wastewater Plant Operator to join our team at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility. In this role, you’ll be directly responsible for protecting the environmental health of our community
. As a Wastewater Plant Operator, you will perform a variety of skilled technical duties and semi-skilled labor necessary to operate and maintain the City of Durango’s wastewater treatment plant. You’ll handle inspections, collect and analyze water samples, and ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory standards. Your work will also include operating and repairing facility vehicles, machinery, and equipment.

We prioritize continuous learning and career development, offering all Wastewater Facility Operators eligibility for our Public Works Pay for Certification Program
. This program supports your advancement through two education tracks, including wastewater treatment and an additional discipline, plus other individual certifications applicable to your job duties and career path.

City of Durango’s Trail to Excellence The City of Durango is a purpose-driven organization with more than 400 full-time and 300 part-time and seasonal employees across 15 departments, all working together to provide a wide range of services that keep our community running every day. From public safety and utilities to parks and recreation, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of all who live, work, and visit here.

At the city, we focus on continually improving how we work and serve the community. This effort is called the Trail to Excellence (T2E), and every employee plays a part in it. Whether you work outdoors, in an office, or lead a team, your daily efforts connect to the city’s mission of providing excellent service and reaching the city’s vision of being a multigenerational community that is authentic, diverse, engaged, thriving, and environmentally responsible.

The full details of this vision are outlined in the city’s strategic plan.

As a member of our team, your work will be meaningful because:

• Your ideas help shape citywide improvements.
• The work you do ties directly into measurable goals.
• You’ll be part of a system that values collaboration, innovation, and results.

We’re looking for team members who share our core values of teamwork, dependability, professionalism, service, respect, innovation, and wellbeing — and who are excited to make a difference in the community we serve.

• Conduct routine inspections and monitor operations at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility using gauges, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Operate and adjust pumps, motors, feeders, and other treatment equipment to maintain Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) permit compliance.
• Maintain accurate operational logs and reports, including entering data into computer systems.
• Collect water and wastewater samples and perform routine laboratory testing, including pH, alkalinity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and other assigned analyses; review results and recommend process adjustments as needed.
• Perform maintenance and repairs on facility equipment, including pumps, valves, motors, meters, tanks, and reservoirs.
• Operate assigned vehicles and equipment, including pickup trucks, forklifts, Bobcat skid steers, and snow removal equipment, to maintain facility access and cleanliness.
• Monitor system flows for lift stations throughout the collection system using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software.
• Load chemicals and adjust treatment rates in accordance with operational requirements.
• Respond to emergency callouts and address questions or concerns from community members as needed.

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two years of experience in wastewater operations and maintenance or related fields such as chemistry, biology, basic electrical work, woodworking, mechanical maintenance and repair, or similar technical or hands‑on work.
• The ability to obtain Colorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Certifications D, C, and A within five…